ABSTRACT

I have ventured a critique of the contemporary consensus among Catholic theologians that I have called the “cultural-transmission” view of original sin. In response, Monika Hellwig points out that the true function of the doctrine in Christian theology is not to explain the (pre)historical origins of sin and evil, but to stress that all human beings are in need of salvation from the captivity (unfreedom) of sin. In addition, the doctrine serves to raise our awareness (1) that evil and suffering can and should be resisted; (2) that evil springs from within us as well as from outside; and (3) that the Creator is willing and able to save us from our sinful situation. Further, given the risk inherent in the exercise of free will, it is naturally inevitable that humans will do evil; hence no supernatural explanation (or even historical account) of the origins of sin is logically needed. With all of this I agree; and I also agree that the systematic exigence in theology is to clarify our present moral situation and not our remote beginnings.