Deep Dive into The Doctrine of Original Sin by Jonathan Edwards - Observations on Romans 5:6-10 and Ephesians 2:3 with the Context, and Romans 7

The theological dispute between Jonathan Edwards and Dr. T. centers on whether biblical descriptions of "sinners" describe a universal, innate corruption or a specific national status. Dr. T. argues that in passages like Romans 5 and Ephesians 2, Paul addresses only the Gentiles in their heathen state. He contends that terms such as "sinners," "ungodly," and "enemies" are not moral descriptions of individuals, but collective titles distinguishing non-Jews from the chosen Jewish people. Furthermore, Dr. T. attempts to evade the doctrine of original sin by redefining the phrase "by nature" in Ephesians 2:3. He claims it is merely a metaphor meaning "truly" or refers to an "acquired habit" contracted through custom, rather than a condition present at birth.

To explain why the Apostle Paul includes himself in these negative descriptions using the pronoun "we," Dr. T. argues that Paul speaks solely in his representative capacity as the "Apostle of the Gentiles." In this view, Paul identifies with his converts professionally without admitting that he or the Jewish people share their moral depravity.

Edwards rigorously dismantles this interpretation, arguing it resurrects the very "partition-wall" of Jewish pride the gospel was designed to abolish. He asserts that the gospel proves Jews are "by no means better" than Gentiles, as all are under the power of sin. Edwards characterizes Dr. T.’s view of representative inclusion as absurd, noting that a physician does not call himself "sick" simply because he treats patients. Through linguistic analysis, Edwards demonstrates that the Greek words for "nature" and "children" explicitly refer to birth and generation, not habit. Ultimately, Edwards maintains that Paul deliberately uses "we" to confess a universal human reality: that all people, regardless of lineage, are born spiritually dead and equally in need of divine grace.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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