Bible Question:
Rom 7:9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; I'm just a little curious on this one. It seems to challenge the doctrine of "original sin" as I normally hear it taught, which, as generally accepted doctrines go, I think is a little weak anyway. To me, it's not a big big deal, (which is cool) but it makes me wonder if Paul, when he said "all have sinned" didn't intend for us to include the very young, or even perhaps the mentally incompetent. Don't you think you have to understand what "sin" is before you can place faith in a savior? What does it mean to you, Berean, (or anyone else of course)that you were once alive, but then at some later time sin became alive in you and you died? My thinking is that by the time I could feel guilty for doing something wrong or hurtful, I was a sinner. Thanks, Rob |
Bible Answer: When Paul wrote that "all have sinned", that does include everyone, because regardless to your state of mind or your age, you are born a sinner because of Adam's transgression (sin). Now I can't intelligently answer how God deals with the mentally imcompetent, but as far as children go, they are not accountable until they understand what sin is. A three year old, for instance, is not held accountable and sent to hell if they die, because they do not have the capacity to understand the difference. |