The Doctrine Of Sin (Hamartiology)

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The Doctrine Of Sin (Hamartiology)

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 4, 2026 (Donate)

Have you ever looked back on your life and realized the mistakes and “sins” you’ve committed? How many times do we look back and wish we had done something different or better or honored God; where instead, we fell short of His perfect standard?

Conniving sinner! We've all been there at some point; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

This brings me to hamartiology—the doctrine of sin. The doctrine is about addressing the nature, origin, consequences, and remedy of sin according to Scripture.

How Is Sin Defined In The Bible?

The Bible defines sin plainly as a violation of God’s law:

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, NKJV).

Sin is not merely an innocent mistake or imperfection; it is actually rebellion, transgression, and treason against the holy character and revealed Word of God.

Sin is when we go against the nature, will, and law of God. Sin is basically any transgression of the God’s law. Thus, sin is both an inward corruption and an outward act of disobedience against the Creator.

What Are The Two Types Of Sin?

The two types of sin are the sin of omission and the sin of commission. The Westminster Confession of Faith explains the two types of sin: sins of commission and sins of omission.

Sins of commission are those acts where one actively does what God forbids. Sins of omission occur when one fails to do what God commands. Scripture affirms both categories. James, by the power of the Holy Spirit, writes,

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17, NKJV).

Together, these show that sin encompasses not only wrongful actions but also neglected duties, revealing the depth of man’s fallen condition.

What Is The Origin Of Sin?

The origin of sin of man is recorded in Genesis 3, when our mutual grandparents Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s direct command from Genesis 2:17. Though God declared His creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and was perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4), sin entered through man’s willful rebellion.

Adam and Eve eating and sinning; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

The serpent, influenced by Satan, deceived Eve, and Adam knowingly transgressed. Scripture indicates that Satan had already sinned prior to this event. He appears as a deceiver in the Garden influencing the serpent to deceive the woman and earning the evil title the “serpent of old” who “deceives the whole world” per Revelation 12:9.

The apostle Paul explains the entrance of sin into the human race:

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12, NKJV).

Thus, Adam acted as the representative head of humanity, and his sin brought corruption and death to all his descendants—you and me!

How Does Sin Affect Man Physically And Spiritually?

Sin affects man both physically and spiritually. Spiritually, sin separates man from God.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God” (Isaiah 59:2, NKJV).

This separation results in spiritual death, meaning a loss of fellowship with God and a state of alienation. Physically, sin brought death, suffering, pain, and decay into the world. As result of sin, we now die and our bodies will “return to dust”. The curse pronounced in Genesis 3 introduced toil, sorrow, and man was sentenced to death (surely die) that leads to our eventual physical death. As Paul affirms by the power of God,

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23, NKJV).

Death in Scripture includes not only physical death but also eternal death (second death of Hell), which is everlasting separation from God. If man dies in their sins, they will endure the eternal wrath of an eternal God as the punishment for that sin.

What Is Original Sin?

Closely related, is the doctrine of original sin. Original sin means that all people inherit a sinful nature from Adam. Consider that our life was wrapped up in Adam and Eve when they sinned (consider Hebrews 7:9-10[1]). So, when they fell into sin…we fell too. David writes by the power of the Holy Spirit,

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5, NKJV).

Original sin does not mean that the act of conception is sinful, but that from conception/fertilization onward, human nature is corrupted by sin. This inherited depravity inclines every person toward sin. This fallen nature explains why all people inevitably sin in thought, word, and deed and means we are all in need of a Savior. 

Who Are Sinners?

Accordingly, Scripture declares that all people are sinners. We, including you and me, are sinners. God says,

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV).

Outside of Christ who was without sin being that He is God and became a man (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 John 3:5), there are no exceptions among mankind; every person stands guilty before a holy God. This universal condition shows that sin is not merely environmental or learned but is innate in our being in the very nature of fallen man.

What Is The Punishment For Sin Eternally For Both Man And Rebellious Angels And Satan?

The punishment for man’s sin is severe (sin God is all powerful) and eternal (since God is eternal). For humanity, the final judgment for unrepentant sinners (those who have not received Christ as Lord) is described in Revelation:

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15, NKJV).

This is the second death, an eternal state of conscious separation from God. Likewise, Satan and the rebellious angels face eternal judgment:

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  (Revelation 20:10, NKJV).

Jesus also spoke of “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41, NKJV). Thus, both fallen humanity and rebellious spiritual beings are subject to the righteous judgment of God.

How Can One Be Saved From Their Sin?

Is man without hope because we’ve all sinned? This where God shows his love and His power. The doctrine of sin is not complete without the doctrine of salvation.

God, in His mercy, provided a way of redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. Christ bore the punishment that sinners deserve.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV).

Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Christ satisfied the Father’s justice and offers salvation as a free gift of grace.

“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NKJV).

When a Christian repents and believes the gospel, trusting in Christ alone, the righteousness of Christ is imputed—transferred—to us. We are justified before God, forgiven of our sins, and restored to fellowship with Him.

Our sinless Christ bearing our sin on the Cross; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Christ, being God, is infinitely powerful in His eternal godly nature and when He died on our behalf on the Cross, He took our infinite punishment in that moment. Because of His infinite eternality, He could take that punishment and satisfy it immediately and not be held down by its grip forever like we would have.

The doctrine of sin shows the depth of man’s fall through Adam and Eve and the righteous and perfect justice of God’s judgment. At the same time, it shows the awesome grace of God in Christ.

Sin is lawlessness and rebellion against God, originating in the Fall and affecting all mankind. Its consequences are both temporal (immediate and physical) and eternal, bringing death and suffering into the world. Yet through Jesus Christ, sinners may be saved, declared righteous, and given eternal life, revealing the glory of God’s justice and mercy.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields. 

* Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

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[1] Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. (Hebrews 7:9-10, NKJV)

The Seriousness Of Sin—Breaking God’s Law

The Seriousness Of Sin—Breaking God’s Law

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 10, 2025 (Donate)

What Is Sin?

What is sin—and how we can be saved from the wrath we deserve from our sin from a perfect and holy God? Sin is breaking God’s law. We’ve all broken God’s perfect law. In fact, we sinned when our mutual ancestors Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. This is called original sin.

Adam and Eve's first sin; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

You need to understand that our life was wrapped up in Adam and Eve when they sinned—being that we are their descendants (consider Hebrews 7:9-10[1]). But we all sin too as individuals. There is two type of sin—by commission and omission. Sins of commission are doing what God forbids and sins of omission are not being or doing what God requires.

We are in a culture today—sadly even in some church congregations—where sin is being ignored, celebrated, or even encouraged. There are some proclaiming that certain sins are not sins or some go so far as to say you are a sinner if you call out sin as defined in the Bible!

Now, I want to ponder this—to call something a sin that is not a sin is itself a sin. So be careful of what you call sin and why you say is not a sin. God defines sin in His revealed Word—the 66 books of the Bible.

Far too often, I’ve had church members and leaders tell me something is a sin that is not. I’ve had people tell me hate is a sin, anger is a sin, wine is a sin, listening to music with drums is a sin, denim jeans are a sin, and the list goes on.

Looking at God’s Word, God hated Esau (e.g., Malachi 1:3[2]; Romans 9:13[3]) and commands that we hate evil (e.g., Proverbs 8:13[4]). Hate is not a sin—if it were, God would be a sinner, and we too would be sinners for obeying God.

God was often angered (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:21[5]; 2 Chronicles 28:25[6]). Clearly then, anger is not sin because God cannot sin.[7] Jesus drank wine in Scripture (e.g., Luke 7:33–34[8]; John 19:28–30[9]), and wine is elsewhere positively mentioned (Psalm 104:14-15[10]; Ecclesiastes 9:7[11]).[12] Timbrels/tambourines and cymbals are considered percussion instruments, as are drums (and cymbals are features on a drum set by the way) and were often used in godly worship and celebration (e.g., Exodus 15:20[13]; 2 Samuel 6:5[14]; Psalm 150:4–5[15]) and are mentioned positively in Scripture.

Denim jeans are merely a different way the thread is woven. It uses a diagonal ribbing that makes it more durable and rugged. Threading cotton or linen one way versus another is not sin. Nevertheless, man sins in many ways. And it doesn’t end there—sin is all around us.

God Defines Sin Through The Law

God alone defines sin because God himself is the ultimate standard of what is good and right (and by contrast, bad and wrong). God’s revealed Word is the absolute source that defines sin for man. Again, sin is any thought, word, or deed that breaks God’s law by omission (not being or doing what God requires) or commission (doing what God forbids).

So, is God’s law important to know? Yes, it is essential to know “what is sin.” When God speaks, it is all essentially law because God is the ultimate Lawgiver—though what was preserved in the Bible is sufficient and the absolute standard on all matters.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

By what authority can one object to God’s absolute authority? When anyone tries to do this, they are committing a faulty appeal to authority fallacy at the very outset of their argument. Thus, any following argument is fallacious.

God’s law is essential to know what sin is. God through Paul says,

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. (1 Timothy 1:8–11, NKJV)

Does God have the power to change his laws to man at different times and for different circumstances?

Yes, and by the way, this does not affect the unchanging nature of God. But as an example, God originally only permitted man to eat vegetation (Genesis 1:29[16]); then after the Flood, God also gave meat as food (Genesis 9:3[17]).

With Moses, the Israelites were permitted to eat only clean meats. But with Christ’s declaration in Mark 7:19[18], all foods have been made clean—which is not a problem for an all-powerful God. So we, as Christians, can eat all foods, but unlike in the time of Noah, they are all clean.

From the earliest pages of Scripture—from man’s Fall into sin until Christ—man was commanded to give sacrifices to God to cover sin. Abel offered sacrifices (Genesis 4:4[19]), as did Noah (Genesis 8:20–21[20]), Abraham (e.g., Genesis 22:13[21]), and the Israelites (repeatedly). However, after Christ offered Himself as the ultimate Passover sacrifice (e.g., John 10:17-18[22]; Hebrews 9:28[23]), man no longer needed to sacrifice because Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient once for all (Hebrews 10:10). This is why sacrifice is no longer required of man.

So there are cases where God, by his own power and authority, could and did change laws assigned for man. The key is using Scripture to see what God changed and when.

What Is The Punishment For Sin?

The punishment for the first man’s sin and rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden was death (Genesis 2:17[24], 3:19[25]). Adam committed high treason against the Lord God who created him. Is sin serious? Yes.

But look deeper at the big picture. The punishment from an infinite and eternal God would, by extension of God’s very nature, be an infinite punishment that would go on forever (this is called the “second death” or “hell”). Man, being made in the image of an eternal God would receive this limitless wrath of God as an everlasting sentence. This is what hell is—an eternal punishment with the full wrath of God on man forever.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19, NKJV)

Those animal sacrifices, starting in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:21) and continuing through Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites, were never going to be good enough. Directly to the point, God says this in Hebrews,

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4, NKJV)

Animals are not infinite or eternal. The best they could offer was a short-term covering for sin. What we really needed was an infinite sacrifice that could take the infinite punishment from our infinite Creator.

Can Ceasing To Sin Save You?

Some have thought that if they could just slow down their sinning or, if it were even possible, stop sinning altogether, that they would be okay and could be saved from God’s wrath. However, this doesn’t solve the problem of past sins and guilt. God, being perfectly holy, must punish sin. He must enact justice, being a perfectly just God—even for those sins already committed.

We have all sinned (Romans 3:23[26]) and have all carried out high treason against God when we committed even one sin (breaking just one of God’s laws). We all sinned in Adam as well. When he sinned, we all sinned too. For “original sin” alone, we rightfully deserve God’s infinite wrath for just that sin!

Because we were all “in Adam” when he committed that sin. Each of our lives was wrapped up in Adam and Eve when they rebelled. Think of it in light of Levi and Abraham. Levi was Abraham’s great-grandson. Yet the Bible says that Levi was in the body of his ancestor Abraham when he paid tithes to Melchizedek.

Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. (Hebrews 7:9–10, NKJV)

When Adam sinned, we all sinned because all of our lives were in Adam when he committed that sin. And we continue to sin. Even if it were possible to cease sinning, we would still need to be punished for the sins we already committed. So how is it that anyone could possibly be saved?

How Can We Possibly Be Saved From Sin Then?

Who is even capable of taking that infinite and eternal punishment for us? Who would possibly care that much for wretched sinners? Who could love us enough to do such a thing? And who is in a position of power to take such a punishment?

You might think there is nobody, but you’d be wrong. There is Someone. There is Someone powerful enough to take an infinite punishment from an infinite Being. There is Someone everlasting in his very nature who can take an eternal punishment and do it in a moment. And yes, there is Someone who cares and loves us enough to do this for us.

That Someone is God himself. God is love, and He is perfect love. The nature of God is triune—there are three persons of the one triune God. The love between those three persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) is of perfect essence. By this love, the Father (the first person of the triune God) sent his Son Jesus Christ (the second person of the one triune God) to be sacrificed and take the infinite punishment we deserve for sin. The Father enacts the punishment, and the Son endures it—perfect justice for sin accomplished through the Son taking the full wrath of the Father upon Himself on our behalf (Isaiah 53).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on flesh and became a man (which is not too hard for an all-powerful God). He lived a perfect life, keeping the law without sin. It pleased God to punish Christ, and this satisfied the wrath of God once for all by Christ’s eternal nature.

When we believe in Jesus Christ’s work on the cross and his death, burial, and resurrection, we are saved. As a result of our salvation, we should want to turn from our sin in repentance and try to be obedient to Christ in his commands.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

Christians don’t do good works to try to “earn” salvation, but we do good works because we love Christ (John 14:15[27]). When people believe on Him, Christ’s righteousness is transferred to them (imputed to them) so that they are now seen as spotless before the Father. Salvation is a gift of God, not by works, but by Christ’s work on the cross.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, NKJV)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16–18, NKJV)

Salvation is being saved from the wrath of God by his very grace that he bestowed on us. But it is so much more than that. It is experiencing the goodness of our good and loving God forever. We are made in the image of an eternal God, and we get to experience that great and eternal being forever.

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)

Conclusion

Will we one day sin in heaven and fall from God’s grace? In the same way that Adam led us into sin, so Christ led us out of sin. And when Christ returns and consummates a perfect new heaven and new earth, Christ will forever be our head. So we will never fall into sin again in heaven because Christ our eternal head is God and He cannot sin. So we can rest assured that eternal life means eternal and everlasting life without the fear of falling back into sin.

Nevertheless, on this side of heaven, when someone calls something sin that isn’t sin, what that shows is that those individuals are elevating their own thoughts to supersede what God says is sin. It is a dangerous position to attempt what God alone has the authority to do.

When we, as fallible sinners, sin (even by calling something sin that isn’t), then we are in disobedience to Christ. We need to humbly acknowledge our sin before a holy God in repentance.

Sin is indeed serious. But don’t miss the best part! What God did to solve the sin problem is so much more. When you are in Christ, there is a joy and peace of knowing that God’s wrath no longer abides on you. The “sting of death” is taken away, and you can rest assured that your salvation is forever in Christ. May the Lord Jesus receive the eternal honor and glory. Amen.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children. 

Originally at Answers in Genesis; Edited; Republished by permission.

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[1] Hebrews 7:9-10 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. NKJV.

[2] Malachi 1:3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. KJV.

[3] Romans 9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” NKJV.

[4] Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. NKJV.

[5] Deuteronomy 32:21 They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. NKJV.

[6] 2 Chronicles 28:25 And in every single city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers. NKJV.

[7] Of course, we should be careful that our anger does not lead to sin. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).

[8] Luke 7:33-34 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’  “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ NKJV.

[9] John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. NKJV.

[10] Psalm 104:14-15 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart. NKJV.

[11] Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. NKJV.

[12] However, we are commanded in Scripture not to be drunk: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

[13] Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. NKV.

[14] 2 Samuel 6:5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals. NKJV.

[15] Psalm 150:4-5 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! NKJV.

[16] Genesis 1:29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. NKJV.

[17] Genesis 9:3 “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. NKJV.

[18] Mark 7:19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” NKJV.

[19] Genesis 4:4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering. NKJV.

[20] Genesis 8:20-21 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. NKJV.

[21] Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. NKJV.

[22] John 10:17-18 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” NKJV.

[23] Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. NKJV.

[24] Genesis 2:17 “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” NKJV.

[25] Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” NKJV.

[26] Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. NKJV.

[27] John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. NKJV. 

Could Death Exist Before Sin Biblically?

Could Death Exist Before Sin Biblically?

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, August 21, 2024 All Scripture NKJV (Donate)

Death and sin—these are two things today’s society seems to want to avoid in a conversation! In today’s secular society, kids have been taught for generations that death goes back for millions of years. But there is a huge contrast when you open the pages of Scripture beginning in Genesis.

The Bible is the authority on the past (as well as the authority on scientific and theological aspects), and it is logical that the Bible should be the authority on the issue of death and its relationship with sin. Getting a big picture of sin and death and how they are related in the Bible can make us better witnesses to today’s culture.

Everything Was Originally Perfect 

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

When God finished creating at the end of day six, He declared everything “very good”—it was perfect. God’s work of creation is perfect. We expect nothing less of a perfect God.

What was this “perfect” or “very good” creation like? Were animals dying? Was man dying? Let’s look closer at what the Bible teaches.

Everything Was Originally Vegetarian 

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. “Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:29–30)

We know that animals and man were not eating meat originally, according to Genesis 1:29–30. So, meat-eaters today were all vegetarian originally, which also points to death not being part of the original creation. Plants are not “alive” in the biblical sense of nephesh chayyah, only animals and man. So, plants being eaten did not mean death existed before the Fall. One would not expect a God of life to be a god of death. When we look at God’s restoration in Revelation 21–22, there will be no death, pain, or suffering.

If a Christian wants to side with the atheistic view of a world where death existed for millions of years using the majority of the fossil layers as evidence of slow, gradual accumulation instead of a global Flood, they have major problems. The fossil layers consist of many animals that have the remains of other animals in their stomach contents. As we’ll discuss later, Scripture tells us that sin brought about animal death, something that did not occur prior to the Fall. This rules out many of the rock layers as evidence of millions of years because the Lord declared that everything was originally vegetarian. The Flood of Noah’s day is a much better explanation of the rock layers, which show animals eating other animals after sin.

Death Is a Punishment 

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16–17)

God gave the command in Genesis 2:16–17 that sin would be punishable by death. This is significant when we look at the big picture of death. If death in any form was around prior to God’s declaration in Genesis 1:31 that everything was “very good,” then death would be very good too—hence not a punishment at all.

Some have pointed out that this passage is not referring to animal death. In one sense, we agree with them: this verse was not directed toward animals. But by the same logic, this command was only directed toward Adam, yet Eve died, and so do we (Adam’s descendants) for sin. This shows the all-encompassing impact of the sin-death relationship.

Adam Knew What “Die” Meant 

Some people have brought up the objection that if there was no death existing in the world, then how did Adam know what God meant in Genesis 2:17.

God, the author of language, programmed Adam with language when He created him, as they conversed right from the start on day six (see Genesis 2). Since God makes things perfectly, Adam knew what death meant—even if he did not have experiential knowledge of it. In fact, he probably understood it better than any of us because he had a perfect mind, uncorrupted by sin and the Curse.

Sin Brought Animal Death 

The first recorded death and passages referring to death as a reality came with sin in Genesis 3 when the serpent, Eve, and Adam all were disobedient to God. Please note that what happened is the first hint that things will die:

So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. (Genesis 3:14)

Genesis 3:14 indicates that animals, which were cursed along with the serpent, would no longer live forever but have a limited life (all the days of your life). This is the first hint of animal death. Since animals were cursed, they too will now die. Though this particular verse doesn’t rule out animal death prior to sin, its placement with sin and the Curse in Genesis 3 may very well be significant.

The Lord’s sacrifice to make coats of skins for Adam and Eve

The first recorded death of animals comes in Genesis 3:21, when God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to replace their fig leaf coverings they assumed would cover their nakedness.

Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)

Abel apparently mimicked something like this when he sacrificed from his flocks (fat portions) in Genesis 4:4, as did Noah after the Flood in Genesis 8:20. The Israelites did this as well, giving sin offerings of lambs, doves, etc.

Noah offering sacrifices

The punishment for sin was death; so, something had to die. Rightly, Adam and Eve deserved to die, but we serve a God of grace, mercy, and love. And out of His love and His mercy, He basically gave us a “grace period” to repent.

The Lord sacrificed an animal to cover this sin. It was not enough to take away sin but merely offered a temporary covering. This shows how much more valuable mankind is than animals (see also Matthew 6:26, 12:12). The punishment for sinning against an infinitely holy God is an infinite punishment, and animals are not infinite. They simply cannot take that punishment. We needed a perfect and infinite sacrifice that could take the infinite punishment from an infinite God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is infinite, could take that punishment. These animal sacrifices foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who was the ultimate, perfect, infinite sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Hebrews reveals:

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)

This is why Jesus had to die, and this is why people sacrificed animals to cover sin. These passages make it clear that animal death has a relationship with human sin, as well as the fact that it came after sin (see Christian Theodicy in Light of Genesis and Modern Science). Also, it is the very basis and foundation of the gospel.

Sin Brought Human Death

 

This same type of proclamation that animals will ultimately die (all the days of your life) comes back in Genesis 3:17, where man would also die (all the days of your life). So, like the animals, man would die in fulfillment of what God said in Genesis 2:17.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. (Genesis 3:17)

Some have stated that they believe this was only a spiritual death, but God made it clear in Genesis 3:19 by adding that humanity will return to the dust from which we came, which makes it clear it was not excluding a physical death.

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”. (Genesis 3:19)

Even Paul, when speaking of human death, specifically says:

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26)

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. (Romans 5:14)

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:17)

If the death God mentioned is only spiritual, then why did Jesus have to die physically—or rise physically? If the Curse meant only spiritual death, then the gospel is undermined.

It is true that Adam and Eve didn’t die the exact day they ate, as some seem to think Genesis 2:17 implies. The Hebrew is die-die (muwth-muwth), which is often translated as “surely die” or literally as “dying you shall die,” which indicates the beginning of dying (i.e., an ingressive sense). At that point, Adam and Eve began to die and would return to dust. If they were meant to have died right then, the text should have used muwth only once, as is used in the Hebrew meaning “dead, died, or die” and not “beginning to die” or “surely die.”

Does the Bible Teach Death before Sin?

 

The Bible tells us very clearly that there was no death before sin from many passages. In fact, there are no Bible verses indicating there was death prior to sin.

Death before sin is a problem for a perfect creation at the end of day six

The only reason some people try to insert death before sin is to fit man’s ideas of “millions of years” of death from a uniformitarian view of the fossil record into the Bible. But this makes a mockery of God’s statement that everything was very good in Genesis 1:31. Death, animals eating other animals, thorns, cancer, tumors, and so on are not very good, and yet these are found in those fossil layers.

This leads to compromising what God plainly says to accommodate fallible man’s ideas. Besides, the Scriptures reveal a global Flood in Genesis 6–8, after sin, which explains the vast majority of fossil layers. So, one need not appeal to billions of years to explain these layers. It is better to trust what God says:

It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)

Keep in mind that having death before sin also undermines the very gospel, where Jesus Christ stepped into history to conquer sin and death. In doing so, He graciously offered the free gift of salvation to all who receive him.

Conclusion 

A Biblical View of Death

A Secular View of Death

Keep in mind there are primarily two views of history (secular and Christian) with two different authorities (man’s fallible reason apart from God and a perfect God) with conflicting views about the past.

According to the Bible, a perfect God created a perfect creation, and because of man’s sin, death and suffering came into the world. But through Christ, we look forward to a time when there will be no more pain or death or suffering (Revelation 21:4).

In a secular worldview, there has always been death. So, when Christians try to incorporate the secular idea of millions of years into their theology, two main questions arise. Was there really a change when Adam and Eve sinned? And what will heaven really be like then?

This article was first published here: https://answersingenesis.org/death-before-sin/biblically-could-death-have-existed-before-sin/; Reprinted by Permission.