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Alternatives - to Original Sin: (17:10)

From 'Abdul-Baha: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1co 15:22) "Adam is the cause of man's physical life; but the reality of Christ - that is to say, the Word of God - is the cause of spiritual life.. But the mass of the Christians believe that, as Adam ate of the forbidden tree, He sinned in that He disobeyed, and that the disastrous consequences of this disobedience have been transmitted as a heritage and have remained among His descendants. Hence Adam became the cause of the death of humanity. This explanation is unreasonable and evidently wrong, for it means that all men, even the Prophets and the Messengers of God.. have become without reason guilty sinners." (saq 120) (17:11) see

From Bahá'u'lláh: O Son of Spirit! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created." (hwd 9:2) (17:12) see

Humans are inherently noble: "A mine rich in gems of inestimable value" (tbh 161:3) We can choose to polish these gems and express our true nature, or we can ignore our true selves and fall into degradation. Bahá'ís consider the Bible divine, and believe that there is a deeper meaning to the verses which support the Christian idea of original sin.. (17:13) see

From Harper's Bible Dictionary: "There is no passage in the Bible that directly teaches such a doctrine. Paul (rom 5:12) related the sinful condition of the human race to the original transgression of Adam, insisting at the same time, however, that the result of sin (death) "spread to all people" not simply because of Adam's sin but "because all people sinned. (Harper's p. 955) (17:14) see

From the Bible: "a son who sees all the sins which his father has done.. and does not do likewise.. he shall not die for his father's iniquity.." (eze 18:14-17) (17:15) see

"The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father.. the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." (eze 18:19-20) (17:16) see

"The righteous judgment of God.. will render to every man according to his deeds." (rom 2:5-6) (17:17) see

The Bahá'í interpretation of Paul's story affirms what Paul said, that we were re-created in the likeness of Christ through a mercy which required the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and this was the meaning of Jesus when he claimed to fulfill the Law in its entirety. (17:18)

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