On his website, Arminian Perspectives, Ben Henshaw has a questions page at which he answers questions about Arminianism and Calvinism that visitors to his site pose in the comment section of the page. Here is a question from a woman named Lori followed by Ben’s answer:
Question: I’ve often wondered about this. So…where does the idea of being born with a sin nature come in? Was it more difficult for Adam and Eve to sin since he didn’t have this nature as he was created “good”? Is a free-will nature different than a sin nature? As sin is “inherited” throughout the ages, has it become “easier” to sin? I understand that God holds us accountable for our own sin–not Adam’s sin. It is clear though that we don’t need to teach a child to sin–it seems to come naturally. Was this the case for Adam?
Answer:
Is a free-will nature different than a sin nature?
Free will is simply part of our nature, part of who we are, what it means to be personal beings created in God’s image.
When the Bible speaks of our sinful nature, it is speaking of the fact that our nature (who we are) has been corrupted by the power of sin and that power inclines our wills away from God rather than towards Him.
Is a free-will nature different than a sin nature? As sin is “inherited” throughout the ages, has it become “easier” to sin?
Probably not because our natures have become “more” sinful, if that is what you mean. The earliest humans certainly had a strong propensity to sin. That is why God destroyed mankind in the flood. But it may be that it is easier to sin now due to a greater influence of sin on us, but even that is hard to qualify.
It is clear though that we don’t need to teach a child to sin–it seems to come naturally. Was this the case for Adam?
No, sin didn’t “come naturally” for Adam, but the potential for sin was in him since God created him with the ability to either obey and trust God or to disobey and not trust God.
