As we can see the doctrine of original sin is a broad teaching that is multi-faceted with elements of truth blended with elements of error. Scripture is the only way to distill truth from error. This doctrine is like pack of regular candy mixed with drug laced candy. Thankfully if we have a firm understanding of Scripture we can separate truth from error as easily as oil and water.

• The element of original sin found in Scripture are:

Adam and Eve transmitted human nature that is weakened, wounded and inclined to sin (concupiscence).

2. The elements of original sin NOT found in Scripture are:
3. The sin of Adam became the sin of all his descendants.
4. All are implicated in Adam’s sin.

• Sin is transmitted by propagation not by imitation.

It is easy to see that Adam and eve transmitted human nature that is weakened wounded and inclined to sin. Paul writes 1Co 15:49  And as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

1Co 15:42-44  ….It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

However ideas that the sin of Adam became the sin of all his descendants and that all are implicated in Adam’s sin, advocates that we are charged with sin by propagation and genetic transmission. It advocates that in the divine government drug addicted infants are given the drug charges of the mother. However most theologians don’t stop with the mother and her lifetime of sins they pile on all the accumulated lifetime of sins of all the ancestry to Adam.

“People are sinners for two reasons. People are sinners because they inherited sin, and that because their nature and because they chose to sin.  Alright, so that means that I am a sinner even if I had managed to never sin, I am still a sinner.  You know why?  Because I inherited sin from my parents,  and they from their parents and they from their parents, and they from their parents and so forth.  And I am the accumulation of that.” –Ron Clouzet DMin Prophecies Decoded:  Presentation 7  “A New Revelation Of Jesus Christ” at 44 min. and 50 sec

What this theology advocates is that you and I are charged with sin unconditionally, without any volition, without actually choosing to sin. In this theology not only do we have [1]a body that is sown in corruption, dishonor and weakness but “Your birth certificate is proof of your guilt.” (Adult Sabbath School Quarterly, Job – Lesson 8, Monday 11.14.2016 by Clifford Goldstein)

1. The Protestant view of Original Sin, Total Depravity

The protestant reformers from the 16th century onward introduced new terminology for the doctrine of original sin, total depravity. “The doctrine of total depravity reflects the Reformed viewpoint of original sin.“[2] The reformers blend fallen nature with the guilt of sin in a way that makes it impossible to be completely set free from sin.

1. Reformation theology teaches, “original sin has to do with the fallen nature of mankind.” The Bible clearly teaches that [we are flesh and blood] and we have the law of sin our members that we are sown in corruption, weakness and dishonor. There is no controversy on this point.
2. The other feature of total depravity that the Bible does not teach is “WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN. WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS.” —R.C. SPROUL

This un-Biblical teaching is expressed in this way:

1. “The will of man is no longer in its pristine state of moral power. The will, according to the New Testament, is now in bondage. We are enslaved to the evil impulses and desires of our hearts.”
2. “We need to be regenerated, to be made over again, to be quickened by the power of the Spirit. The only way in which a person can escape this radical situation is by the Holy Spirit’s changing the core, the heart. However, even that change does not instantly vanquish sin.”
3. “The complete elimination of sin awaits our glorification in heaven.”

Let’s compare these ideas with Scripture.

1. Yes the will is in bondage until; the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom 8:1)
2. We cannot deny that “we need to be regenerated and made over again”, but must we deny the power of God? Paul tells us in Php 2:13 “for it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for the sake of His good pleasure.” We know that the law of God is weak through the flesh but we are told, Rom 8:3 For the Law being powerless, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, Rom 8:4  so that the righteous demand of the Law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to flesh, but according to Spirit.” The theology of the reformers tells us, “However, even that change does not instantly vanquish sin.” The Bible says the opposite: Rom 6:18  And having been set free from sin, you were enslaved to righteousness.”  It is true that change does not instantly make us mature or perfect in the stature of Christ but it does “set free from sin.”
3. The deadliest doctrine is that “The complete elimination of sin awaits our glorification in heaven.” The Bible tell us the opposite: Rom 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end everlasting life.” When are we set free from sin? Now, not at our glorification. In fact John perfectly concurs with the apostle Paul when he writes “Everyone who has been begotten of God does not sin, because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.” 1 Jn 3:9

[1] Instead of, “not only are we born in a body that is sown in corruption…,”

[2] http://www.ligonier.org/blog/tulip-and-reformed-theology-total-depravity/