The doctrine of the fall of man is foundational to understanding humanity’s condition, God’s redemptive plan, and the world’s brokenness. The fall, as described in Scripture and articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), Chapter 6, marks a pivotal moment in human history when sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience. This doctrine explains the reality of sin, its consequences, and the depths of man’s depravity, while also pointing to the hope found in Christ.
For believers in Greenville, South Carolina, understanding the fall is essential for addressing contemporary issues such as moral relativism, broken relationships, and the need for the gospel in a sinful world.
The Fall of Man: A Biblical Account
The fall is described in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve, the first humans, disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had commanded Adam not to eat from this tree, warning that “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:17). However, deceived by the serpent, Eve ate of the fruit and gave it to Adam, who also ate (Gen. 3:6). This act of rebellion had catastrophic consequences, not only for Adam and Eve but for all their descendants.
Sin Defined: What Is Sin?
The Larger Catechism (LC 24) defines sin as “any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.” Sin is both failing to do what God commands (sins of omission) and doing what He forbids (sins of commission). It is an affront to God’s holy character, a rejection of His authority, and a violation of His perfect law.
The first sin, Adam’s disobedience, was a deliberate transgression against God’s explicit command. It was not merely a mistake or a lapse in judgment but a willful act of rebellion rooted in unbelief and pride. This sin introduced a fundamental corruption into human nature and brought about God’s judgment.
The Guilt and Consequences of Sin
The WCF (6.3) explains that Adam’s sin was imputed to all his descendants, making them guilty and corrupt by nature. As the federal head of humanity, Adam represented all mankind in his disobedience. Romans 5:12 states, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
This imputation of guilt means that all humans are born under the condemnation of sin and deserving of God’s judgment.
1. Spiritual Death
The primary consequence of the fall was spiritual death, or separation from God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately became alienated from their Creator. Genesis 3:8 describes how they hid from God’s presence, a stark contrast to the intimate fellowship they previously enjoyed. Ephesians 2:1 confirms this state of spiritual death: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
2. Physical Death
The fall also introduced physical death into the world. God’s warning in Genesis 2:17 was fulfilled, not immediately but progressively, as Adam and Eve’s bodies began to decay. Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death,” emphasizing that physical death is a direct result of sin.
3. Eternal Death
Without redemption, the ultimate consequence of sin is eternal separation from God in hell. Revelation 21:8 describes the second death as “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” This eternal punishment underscores the seriousness of sin and God’s perfect justice.
4. Corruption of Human Nature
The fall corrupted every aspect of human nature. The WCF (6.2) states that Adam and Eve became “wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.” This total depravity means that every part of man—mind, will, emotions, and desires—is affected by sin. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
This corruption is universal. As Psalm 14:3 states, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” The Larger Catechism (LC 25) teaches that all humans are “utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil.”
The Impact of the Fall on Creation
The effects of the fall extend beyond humanity to all of creation. Romans 8:20-22 describes creation as being subjected to “vanity” and groaning under the curse of sin. This brokenness is evident in natural disasters, disease, and the decay of the physical world.
In Greenville, where we see both the beauty of God’s creation and the effects of sin in sickness, death, and societal brokenness, we are reminded of the pervasive impact of the fall. This reality should deepen our longing for Christ’s return and the restoration of all things.
Sin’s Deception and Prevalence
Sin is not only destructive but also deceptive. The serpent’s temptation in Genesis 3 illustrates how sin often begins with questioning God’s Word and character. The serpent said to Eve, “Yea, hath God said…?” (Gen. 3:1), casting doubt on God’s truthfulness and goodness.
This deception continues today in various forms, such as moral relativism, secularism, and the denial of absolute truth. In Greenville and elsewhere, many are ensnared by ideologies that reject God’s authority and promote self-rule. The church’s role is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word and expose the lies of sin.
Application: Addressing the Effects of the Fall
The fall of man has profound implications for how we understand and respond to the challenges of our world. Here are several applications:
1. Recognize Human Depravity
Understanding total depravity helps us recognize the root cause of human problems. Social injustices, broken relationships, and moral failings are not merely external issues but flow from the corruption of the human heart. This perspective calls us to address sin at its source through the gospel.
2. Promote the Sanctity of Life
The fall reminds us that all humans, despite their sinfulness, retain the image of God and possess inherent dignity. This truth undergirds the church’s commitment to protecting life, from opposing abortion to caring for the elderly and vulnerable. In Greenville, this means engaging with local organizations that support life-affirming causes and ministering to those in need.
3. Proclaim the Gospel
The fall highlights humanity’s desperate need for salvation. The Larger Catechism (LC 30) teaches that God, in His mercy, provided a Redeemer to deliver His people from sin and its consequences. This good news must be proclaimed with urgency and compassion, calling people to repent and trust in Christ.
4. Pursue Holiness
Believers, though redeemed, still struggle with sin because of the remnants of the old nature. Romans 7:18 acknowledges this ongoing battle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” However, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are enabled to grow in holiness and reflect God’s image.
The Hope of Redemption
While the fall brought devastating consequences, it is not the end of the story. God’s redemptive plan was revealed immediately after the fall in Genesis 3:15, where He promised a Savior who would crush the serpent’s head. This “first gospel” points to Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who came to undo the effects of the fall.
1. Christ’s Obedience
Where Adam failed, Christ succeeded. Romans 5:19 contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Through His perfect life, Jesus fulfilled the law and earned righteousness for His people.
2. Christ’s Sacrifice
On the cross, Jesus bore the punishment for sin, satisfying God’s justice and securing forgiveness for all who trust in Him. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
3. Christ’s Victory
Through His resurrection, Christ triumphed over sin, death, and the devil. This victory ensures the ultimate restoration of God’s creation and the renewal of His people.
Conclusion
The fall of man is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of sin and the corruption of human nature. It explains the brokenness of the world and our need for redemption through Jesus Christ. For the church in Greenville, this doctrine is not only a theological truth but a call to action. We are called to proclaim the gospel, confront the effects of sin, and live as redeemed people who reflect God’s glory.
May we, as a church, hold fast to the hope of redemption, trusting in Christ who makes all things new. As Romans 5:20-21 declares: “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”