Are Children Born In Sin?

     Many religious groups teach as a cardinal doctrine that children are born is sin, totally depraved, as wicked as can be.  John Calvin started with the premise that sin is inherited from Adam, and upon this foundation he built the entire system we know as Calvinism.  Is this premise true?  Is it the cast that the child you hold in your arms is a wicked, grievous sinner whose heart is as black as coal because of sin?  If this premise is not true, then many religious beliefs and practices crumble to the ground along with their foundation.  What does the Bible say?
     Let us first notice some passages that are used to support the idea that children are born in sin.  Many will point to Psalm 51:5 for support of this doctrine.  However, a reading from a reliable translation (KJV, ASV, NKJV) will show that it was David’s mother (10 generations earlier) who was in sin, not David.  Consider also the illegitimate child that David conceived with Bathsheba.  The child died only seven days after he was born (II Sam. 13:18).  Yet, David found comfort in knowing he would one day see his son again (13:23).  If this child were born in sin, then David found comfort in knowing he would be in hell one day with his infant son!  What kind of comfort would that be?
     Another passage used to support this doctrine is Romans 3:23.  This passage reads, “all have sinned.”  Does this mean that every individual in the world has sinned?  Sin is a transgression of God’s law (I Jn. 3:4), a working of unrighteousness (I Jn. 5:17).  What law does a newborn infant transgress, or what unrighteous act does a newborn commit in being born that would warrant the label of a wicked, grievous sinner?  Sin requires something to be done which is out of harmony with God’s will!  An examination of the context of Romans 3 shows that Paul is attempting to show the Jews that they were no better than the Gentiles.  All (both Jew and Gentile) have sinned.
     All who have the knowledge of right and wrong, and who know the repercussions of their wrong-doing realize that there have been times when they have done things that God would not want them to do.  All who are accountable for their actions before God find themselves under the condemnation of sin.  However, there are individuals whom God does not consider accountable.  Among this number would be those who have mental disabilities which make it impossible for them to determine right from wrong.  Also included in this number would be infants and young children.  To condemn one would be to condemn the other.
     The Bible truth is that children are born free from sin.  It is only after individuals transgress God’s law, even though he/she knows that one should not, that an individual stands as a sinner before God.  Lord willing, we will examine some Bible passages that show that it is not possible for a child to inherit the sin of Adam.  The Bible shows children to be pure and innocent.

Do you have a Bible question that deserves a Bible answer?  Do you want more information about this subject?  Feel free to contact the Mabelvale church of Christ at 455-2548 or by fax at 407-0072.  We may also be reached by e-mail at mabelval@cei.net, and we have a web page at www.cei.net/~mabelval.  On the web page you will find archives of all of the “Ask A Bible Questions” to date, as well as other items.  Also, tune into the Search television program on Sunday mornings at 8:00 on channel 4.