Original Sin: Origins, Developments, Contemporary Meanings

Tatha Wiley does a wonderful job in this book of describing the origins of the doctrine of Original Sin and the problems faced by theologians today with the earlier ideas of Augustine and Aquinas, etc. I greatly value the entire book and especially the discussion of Bernard Lonergan's theology. This is obviously a faith affirming and orthodox endeavor. -------- However ----- My subjective response which may be of little or no value to anyone is this --- There was no Original Sin; there was no Fall; and we are not born alienated from God in any way. We don't need magical rituals to "restore" anything that was lost. ---The biblical texts used to support these ideas cannot bear the weight of the theology built on them. . Not at all. ---- And there is no real biblical source of a revelation about Fallen Angels, the Devil etc. This ideas aren't good ideas. ------ We are moving forward morally in a biological world that is unfolding in time. And as Teilhard de Chardin indicated, evil is inevitable in any biological world unfolding in time (not his exact words.) ---- And only when we cast aside the doctrine of Original Sin and the Fall, and all magical thinking about sanctifying grace and such, will we be able to really address the moral challenges we face. ----- Obviously many Christians and Catholics are unable to do this. They simply can't. They can't abandon a doctrine affirmed by the Reformers, or by the Council of Trent. So books like this struggle with an immense burden. They are trying to move forward, but they carry all sorts of cumbersome baggage with them. Such is the nature of writing Catholic and Christian theology, I presume. It is a highly conservative enterprise in which you "conserve" as much as you can as you inch towards something new. ----- But sooner or later theologians, I feel, are going to have to cut this baggage loose. ----- They're going to have to accept full responsibility for what they are actually saying in many books today ---- that the old ideas are no longer useful at all. ----- I would like to add that the entire Christian Belief System as we know it today is founded on these old and bad ideas. And I respect the gravity and scope of the problem. But surely this can and will change. Affirming one's love of God, one's devotion to Christ and His example and His teachings, one's consuming desire to live a good and moral and loving and constructive life ---- all this must be possible without the idea of Original Sin, and the Fall, and the need for magical grace. ----- Anyway, for some one struggling with all this, the book is superb and let me affirm again, that it is orthodox. It does not reflect my radical views here. Not at all. ---- But I am looking for the theologian who will say outright: all this old stuff is bad and it has to go. If I have offended anyone here, I ask for their patience and forgiveness.

I'm not really all that far into this book, but the Introduction literally captured my attention. I am most impressed with the author's(Tatha Wiley) approach to discussing the subject. I choose it because I wanted a fair reading on the doctrine of original sin, particularly its relevance in early Christianity and how it evolved into doctrine which is a foundation of Christianity, without which Christianity appears to have a very weak base for the purpose of the life of Jesus. But it does require a fair hearing without personal prejudice to grasp the subject itself. I've enjoyed what I've read so far.

Dr. Wiley has fairly and successfully measured the original sin from both traditional metaphorical theology and post-modern methodical theology perspectives. Her contexts have also been very insightful for social justice issues by inspiring us on what happened and how/why it happened. Wiley's book also provides a possible journey that we can consider, discern, and move forward. For those who are not professionals in theology or religious studies, this book provides deep and fundamental insights regarding how the doctrine of original sin was historically formed and how it has influenced the human world in many ways. Depending on how the audience reads it, this book can be a very good resource to inspire those who seek to deepen their understanding of how original sin dogma has possibly influenced issues of human society- such as faith, religion, sex and sexuality, race, slavery, and gender, .... and so on.

Dr. Wiley’s exceptional book offers relief from the bulky tomes of casual conversation that sometimes have genuine insight, and should probably be half as long. Dr. Wiley sets a furious pace early, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a single throwaway sentence. Every scholarly work should aim for this level of concise and erudite craftsmanship. The amount of information would overwhelm were it not for Wiley’s ability to weave clear and relevant contexts for each and every sentence. I learned so much it dawned on me that I’ll have to re-read this, but take notes. Maybe get one of those nice journals I see on Amazon… Buy this. By the first chapter youll be hooked, and you’ll be unpacking her work for a long time to come.

Other reviewers have praised this already, so, me too. HOWEVER I purchased the Kindle version and *no footnotes are linked* — so if getting this for scholarly purposes, buy the paperback. Really? Unlinked footnotes in 2021?

I was just looking for some basic information on the topic of original sin and found so much more! The author does an incredible job of giving the history of the doctrine and everything that is tied to it in a very readable way.

PRE-REVIEW 2/25 "Original Sin: Origins, Developments, Contemporary Meanings" is one book I'm turning to to investigate various points of view of the concept of Original Sin. I'm hoping to look beyond my own (former) RCC understanding of Original Sin to see whether this concept can be well-matched to the Scriptures, since (surprise!) you'll not see this phrase in the Bible. Not that I believe in any "goodness of man" perspective. I am a Spirit-regenerated believer in Jesus and a grateful son of my most perfect Father. But I need not look beyond my own heart, mind, and actions, and compare this my life to the highest standards (e.g., Jesus, anger=murder), to know of the evil in man. Original Sin is being discussed and redefined by current theologians who appeal to many. With opportunity to respond to these messages, I realize that at least I have to do additional research. More to come later. Lord willing. P.Vitkus

A difficult road to hoe, this book offers a totally new approach to original sin, explaining the usual Genesis 3 story,yet,relying mostly on the works of theologian-philosopher Rev. Bernard Lonergan S.J,to emphasize the existential realities of original sin for modern society. Well worth the time and effort! Malcolm O'Sulivan, F.S.C.

Book condition was poor, dirty, and with folded pages