Hamartiology
I. Origin in the Human Race
Sin, and its attendant guilt, entered our world through one man (Gen. 3:6; Rom. 5:12). The results of Adam's sin, legal as well as moral, have been passed on to his posterity. Adam is seen as a representative head of the human race (Rom. 5) and in much the same way that Israel suffered the consequences of Achan's sin (Judges 7) so each one has now been made a sinner through Adam's disobedience (Rom. 5:19). Therefore, everyone enters the world with an inherited nature that is depraved and disempowered by sin (Ps. 5l:5; cf. Eph. 2:3). This is true extensively (for everyone- Rom. 3:23) and intensively (thoroughly – Jer. 17:9; l Cor. 2.14; cf. Gen. 6:5).
II. Nature
Sin is any attitude, thought, action or inaction which is not pleasing to God. It is variously described in Scripture as "missing the mark" (NT hamartano - Rom 3:23; OT chata – Prov l9:2), deviation from God's standard (NT paratoma – Eph l:7), distortion of the same (OT avah – I Sam l9:19; NT adikia - Mt 5:45), or a passing over God's boundary (OT avar -1 Sam l5:24; NT parabion – Mt l5:2). A most powerful portrayal of sin is seen in the OT understanding of pasha as rebellion (Job 34:37) (cf. NT anamos - Mk 15:28; and asebes – Rom 4:5). Further, sin can be unfaithfulness (OT ma'al – Hos 6:7), omission of what is needed (OT ashsm - Lev 4:13), or simple unbelief (Jn l6:9).
Bibliography:
Old Test. Terminolgy for Sin. H. Wheeler Robinson
Some Evidences of Original Sin from Facts and Events. Jonathan Edwards
The Pelagian View of Original Sin. G. F. Wiggers
Sin and Man's Responsibility. R. Niebuhr