Original Sin

What! You want to take on this canard!

I recall reading article 9 of the 39 articles when I was about 12 or so. Hadn't a clue what it meant. Couldn't have told you about the birds and the bees then either. Doubt that my catechism teachers were able to explain it either.

IX. Of Original or Birth-sin.
Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk;) but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam; whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God’s wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in the Greek, φρονημα σαρκος, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.

No no no no no no no. (Sing it in descending whole tones, to Gershwin in the storm scene.) Too many syllables!

Original sin is really simple: me first. It is known by a child and followed so easily. How hard it is to say 'sorry'. How hard it is to put your brother first. How easy it is to melt down and scream about it.

Some of us get no further than this.

It is still Lent, a season I normally pay no attention to. But Jim Gordon is doing such a series on Herbert that I can scarcely wait for the next one, but must, for I can scarcely take in each one as it happens.

It is even possible to try to take the beloved's promise, strong as death, and push it back into the me first syndrome, but fortunately, it won't fit.

But does it exist? Let's measure it. Original sin is not only individual but corporate and it is measured by the willingness of a society to take responsibility for its weakest members.

In contrast to the wolf who picks off the weakest of the herd, a society that cares for the weakest knows its own fragility and can admit it. It is not just me first, but let us do this together. Such a society is prepared for danger, and in the face of it, acts with reason and intelligence.

Let us judge who acted well based on the graphs of responsibility by region in the current crisis. Perhaps we will all have something to learn. I am encouraged that a society that is often bad-mouthed in the West has now a record of decrease in active cases that will be a benchmark. This is the same society that was weak in some aspects but very strong in others, being the first to decode the DNA of the virus and make it public, showing a care for others outside its immediate boundaries, knowing it would need help also in its trouble, as we all do.

I think the best counter to fragility and sin is to take responsibility.