FAITH & CULTURE PROJECT: How Can I Be Guilty of Adam’s Sin?

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This is a common objection to the Christian faith: How can people today be held accountable for the sins committed by someone who lived centuries ago? Many ask, “What does this have to do with me? Why should I bear the guilt and consequences of actions in which I played no role, like living in a garden or disobeying God?” This objection often leads people to believe that God is unjust, unrighteous, or even tyrannical for holding the whole world responsible for the sins of . To some, Christianity appears mythical, unreasonable, barbaric, and absurd — an outdated system that modern society should abandon.

However, Scripture offers a clear response to this objection. In , writes: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” While this teaches that death entered the world through Adam’s sin, it also presents Christ as the one who offers resurrection and life. The key to understanding this is the or representative headship. Adam acted as the representative for all humanity, meaning his choices affect all who come after him. This is not arbitrary guilt but a form of corporate identity—just as a nation is bound by the actions of its leader or the decisions made by a head of state, humanity is united with Adam, our federal representative.

Some still find this explanation unacceptable and believe they should have been able to represent themselves; or choose a better representative (e.g. , , , etc.). Nevertheless, this representation is not unfair because God, in His omniscience and perfect justice, chose the one true representative for humanity. God’s knowledge encompasses all time and reality; therefore, His selection is flawless. Since God chose who would represent us, no better representation is possible. The outcome would not have been better if we had chosen the representative ourselves or gone there ourselves. As far as God is concerned, we are Adam (or Eve). We made the decision and ate from the tree ourselves. As explains, “There is no time in human history when you were more perfectly represented than in the Garden of Eden because your representative was chosen infallibly by a perfectly holy, perfectly just, omniscient God. So I cannot say that I would have done differently than Adam did.”

When we are born into this world, we inherit a (just deserts) and a state of separation from God due to . We do not merely inherit consequences but a corrupted moral condition—a nature inclined to sin and . In other words, Adam’s guilt. This explains why all humans are subject to death and why we face the inevitability of judgment and need for redemption.

In summary, the doctrine of reveals the profound interconnectedness of humanity in Adam, the fairness of divine judgment in this particular context, and the hope brought through Christ, who as the , brings life and reconciliation in place of death and condemnation.

Self-Deluded Middle Class America

Probably the most self-deluded people in the world are middle-class Americans. If you were to ask them whether they’re destined for Heaven when they die, they would quickly answer that question with another question: Why wouldn’t I go to Heaven? They view themselves as good, decent, and law-abiding citizens. Their comfortable lives, respectable behavior, and lack of serious wrongdoing creates a false sense of spiritual security. They ask, “Why wouldn’t I go to Heaven? I haven’t done anything truly deserving of Hell.” This mindset reflects a widespread self-deception—a belief that outward appearances of goodness equate to true righteousness.

However, as explained in another book in this series, Why Do Good People Go to Hell? there are no truly good people, only seemingly good ones. Fallen man is spiritually blind and spiritually dead. People care only for themselves. They have no desire to live a life pleasing to God, and their thoughts toward God are evil continually. While people may exhibit seemingly good behavior, these actions are motivated purely out of self-interest. They have no genuine desire to honor God.

Although the Fall left mankind in a state of depravity (hostile toward God and rendered unable to not sin), the was not completely erased. There are still vestiges of what he once was. As a result, people find qualities and propensities within themselves that appear noble or even Christ-like. They soon learn that by embracing these traits they can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. They can be happy. However, these God-given proclivities, do not lead them to God or spiritual life. They could care less about the God who is the source and sustainer of these qualities—the God by which these things find their very existence. If God suddenly appeared and asked them to do something else, they would reject Him outright, choosing instead to go their own way.

Do Infants Go to Hell When They Die?

One of the questions this reality leaves us with is whether children who die in infancy will go to Hell? This question is deeply troubling and emotionally charged. famously said, “The road to Hell is paved with the skulls of dead infants,” illustrating the stark reality of Adam’s transgression and its consequences. But how true can this be? Doesn’t the Bible teach an — a time when children become morally responsible? Not exactly. The Bible does not specify an age of accountability, however, some believe that children are covered by until they are spiritually and morally conscious of their actions. In light of what we’ve just seen, however, this doesn’t make much sense. This is why many theologians affirm that accountability begins at conception; all humans are born into a state of sin and separation from God due to the Fall. Sin is not merely about conscious acts but a “hereditary condition” inherited from Adam. Death, which entered the world as a consequence of sin, affects all—including infants—and is evidence of that curse. If infants were truly innocent and unaccountable, then God would have committed an unjust and unholy act by sentencing a truly innocent person to death. The assumption that they are innocent and unaccountable overlooks this fundamental biblical truth.

However, Scripture does offer a significant exception—infants born to are part of God’s covenant community. The New Testament teaches that children of believers are sanctified through their parents’ faith, and thus believers can reasonably expect that such infants who die in infancy are granted salvation, as exemplified by in the Old Testament.

Of course, contemplating infants burning in Hell is gross and morbid, to say the least. We should always keep in mind that our God is merciful and gracious. Some theologians speculate that God elects all infants who die in infancy to salvation—a comforting hope grounded in divine sovereignty and love—but this is not explicitly guaranteed. No exemption applies automatically to any individual. A person could even be born in a vegetative state, never commit any sins by thought or deed, live for forty years, and still end up in Hell simply because they were born. God does not owe them a few years of sinning before passing judgment. Bottom line: it’s not God’s fault that mankind is fallen and cursed. He is not required to grade on a curve or make exceptions under certain conditions. Even the infants of believing parents are not guaranteed. These mysteries defy easy answers.

The Gospel Message

is the good news that offers a way for sinful humanity to escape the certain judgment of God. This is the message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent into the world as a divine intervention on behalf of fallen mankind. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, fully obeying all of God’s laws where Adam had failed. Despite His innocence, He was betrayed, arrested, and crucified on a . This sacrificial death was not merely a tragic event but an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Jesus’ resurrection on the third day was the decisive proof that His sacrifice was accepted by . Through this act, Jesus satisfied God’s righteous demands, taking upon Himself the penalty that sinners deserve. The Gospel calls for a personal response: if you repent—turn away from your sins—and place your faith in Jesus Christ, your sins will be forgiven, and you will have everlasting life.