Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (New Studies in Biblical Theology) [Paperback]

Henri Blocher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2000 | Series: New Studies in Biblical Theology (Book 5)

We live in a world shot through with evil. The twentieth century has witnessed suffering and human cruelty on a scale never before imagined. Yet, paradoxically, in recent years the doctrine of original sin has suffered neglect and ridicule. In this philosophically sophisticated treatment of the biblical evidence for original sin, Henri Blocher offers a robust response. Interacting with the best theological thinking on the subject, he shows that while the nature of original sin is a mystery--even a riddle--only belief in it makes sense of evil and wrongdoing. After a general survey of the biblical evidence, Blocher moves on to discuss the two key texts. First, he considers the relation of the Eden story of Genesis 2 and 3 to modern scientific, literary and theological thinking. Then, he offers a new and groundbreaking interpretation of Romans 5, where Paul discusses Christ and Adam. From this exegetical foundation, he goes on to show how the doctrine of original sin makes sense of the paradoxes of human existence. In the final chapter, he discusses the intellectual difficulties that some feel remain with the doctrine itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Blocher, who teaches systematic theology at the Faculte Libre de Theologie Evangelique, Vaux-sur-Seine, France, approaches original sin as a riddle. As he sees it, the riddle arises not so much from original sin as from the widespread denial of the concept in a century marked by unprecedented violence and cruelty. After a general survey of biblical material, Blocher turns to Paul's discussion in Romans 5 of the relationship between Christ and Adam. He contends that a close reading of the fall of Adam does not bear the interpretation that Adam's sin and guilt were transferred to later generations. Rather, he asserts, the freedom of Adam's will to choose evil represents "an inborn state" that results in alienation from God. Freedom of the will is part of the human condition and that freedom entails a hereditary separation from God. However, Blocher sees this state as a "gate of hope" that opens humanity to compassion rather than despair. "Recognizing our radical separation from God and our potentail to choose evil should lead not to condemnation but to compassion." says Blocher. His account of original sin goes far in rehabilitating the doctrine of original sin from its traditionally negative associations.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Blocher's short and pungent book addresses the central issues [of original sin] in an imaginative and constructive way. . . . Much wisdom is compressed into these pages along with a gentleness of touch that belies the weightiness of the subject." (The Expository Times )

"Henri Blocher . . . is able to think through the interlocking contributions of historical theology, biblical theology and systematic theology, and come to fresh conclusions in the light of Scripture, without overturning all that is valuable from the past. . . . This is a book to be read and thought through with great care." (D. A. Carson (from the series preface) )

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (October 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083082605X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830826056
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #881,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Challenging and thought provoking look at an old idea, March 28, 2000

By 

Wayne Symes (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (New Studies in Biblical Theology) (Paperback)

Friends who attended the lectures from which this book was written recommended it to me, and I'm glad they did. Original sin is and, as Blocher points out, has long been a controversial part of church teaching. While we might recognise that many evil deeds take place in our world, we are often reticent to label people as sinful from birth. If we are to do that, the way in which our sinful nature might be passed on is also difficult to fathom. Blocher begins with both a philosophical and a scriptural overview of the doctrine, before focussing in on the Genesis narrative and then Romans 5, the passages which, he argues, have most to say on the subject. He then moves back out to look at evil in the world and the way that the doctrine of original sin sheds light on the human predicament. This leads into a discussion of the transmission of the sinful nature and the proper response to the recognition of it. Blocher's work is obviously scholarly, yet a surprisingly easy read despite that. His `take' on Romans 5 requires more thought on behalf of this reader, but seems both convincing and helpful. Best of all, it encourages us to look again at the doctrine of original sin, while remaining focussed on the necessity for repentance and focus upon the work of Christ in the Christian life. This is a book well worth having in the library of a thinking Christian.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on original sin, October 2, 2003

By 

Seth Aaron Lowry (Olean, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (New Studies in Biblical Theology) (Paperback)

I read this book in conjunction with John Murray's book, The Imputation of Adam's Sin. I believe Blocher's book to be the stronger and more convincing of the two since Murray's work is older and is only designed to account for the classic Reformed position. The strength of Blocher's work lies in the fact that it attempts to discuss multiple treatments on the issue of original sin, and give the strengths and weaknesses of each side. I also believe, like Blocher, that a correct understanding of original sin is vital to a correct understanding of the human condition, our sinfulness, and our need for salvation and redemption.

The chapter I enjoyed the most was Blocher's treatment of Romans 5. He believes that there are two main schools of thought that have attempted to understand this passage. One school, that of a looser interpretation, likes to be very flexible in how it views Adam's relation to Christ's. The other school, that of a stricter interpretation, likes to view Adam's relation to Christ as extremely similar. Blocher says the school of looser interpretation is more Pelagian, while the school of strict interpretation is more Augustinian in it's mindset.

I believe that Blocher deals fairly with both sides assessing their respective strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to the school of a looser interpretation, Blocher notes that they are staunch defenders of individual responsibility for sin, and recognize the disatrous consequeces that can occur when one believes in inherited guilt(for instance Augustine's insistence that unbaptized children are damned to hell because they are born guilty). Nevertheless, their view that Paul is speaking merely of a source or fountainhead of unrighteousness in this passage just doesn't make sense since Paul seems to attribute so much to Adam's disobedience.

As for the stricter school, Blocher notes that their view is more coherent and makes better sense of the text, but is not immune from criticism. First, Paul's focus on the people from Adam to Moses is not easily accounted for under the strict view. Blocher shows how many exegetes have attempted to refute Paul by saying there was law in effect at that time, which clearly shows they believe Paul didn't know what he was talking about. Also, Blocher realizes that Scripture does set a precedent for ackowledging that an individual can suffer the consequences for another's sin and not be personally guilty of that sin. He uses the example of David in 2 Samuel 24 as an example. Individuals from the strict school assert that to suffer the consequences of one's sin without the guilt, is just as unjust as to be guilty of one's sin when one is personally not guilty. I, along with Blocher, seriously question the validity of this statement, especailly since this principle is such a regular part of our everyday experience.

Finally, I believe Blocher's chapter on Original Sin as the key to the human experience to be excellent. Without the doctrine of original sin, humanity just cannot explain the pervasive evil and wickedness that exists around us. Original sin is the key to understanding the human experience because it tells us that human beings are sinful and that they do have a tremendous tendency to commit sin. Armed with this knowledge, it is much easier to make sense of this fallen and corrupt world, much easier than it would be if we all believed that we are born naturally good and that evil tendencies take root somewhere along the line in our early existence. This book is an excellent treatment on a neglected doctrine in most churches today, and is well worth reading.