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: ''For a general discussion of the concept of sin and the view of it by other traditions, see [[Sin]].''

: ''For a general discussion of the concept of sin and the view of it by other traditions, see [[Sin]].''

[[Sin (Fundamentalism)|Sin]], according to the teachings of most [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]], is at the root of the tendency to set one's own will in opposition to that of [[God]] and the general deficiency of our own moral character compared to that of God. God is Perfect and Holy, and thus cannot tolerate any kind of blemish in His Presence.

'''Sin''', according to the teachings of most [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]], is at the root of the tendency to set one's own will in opposition to that of [[God]] and the general deficiency of our own moral character compared to that of God. God is Perfect and Holy, and thus cannot tolerate any kind of blemish in His Presence.

Sin refers both to action (or inaction) and state of being. A particular sin is an action or inaction that does not conform to God's character, and especially any action that is committed with the foreknowledge that it is contrary to [[conscience]] or [[morality]] or divine [[law]]. Humans have inherent knowledge of right and wrong that was obtained at the time [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] ate of the fruit of ''[[Fall of man|Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]]''. We commit "sin" when our actions violate these instincts. It is through sinful acts that we fall short of [[God]]'s intended design and will.

Sin refers both to action (or inaction) and state of being. A particular sin is an action or inaction that does not conform to God's character, and especially any action that is committed with the foreknowledge that it is contrary to [[conscience]] or [[morality]] or divine [[law]]. Humans have inherent knowledge of right and wrong that was obtained at the time [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] ate of the fruit of ''[[Fall of man|Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]]''. We commit "sin" when our actions violate these instincts. It is through sinful acts that we fall short of [[God]]'s intended design and will.

The Fall of Man changed everything:{{Bible quote|And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=17|version=KJV}}

The Fall of Man changed everything:{{Bible quote|And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=17|version=KJV}}

God had given [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] strict warning ''not'' to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This direct order from God provided the necessary moral context by which we recognize [[original sin]]--in essence, the ''first'' sin. By disobeying that order, Adam and Eve fell short. ''Thus sin came into the world.'' No longer, then, was the world "very good."

God had given [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] strict warning ''not'' to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This direct order from God provided the necessary moral context by which we recognize [[original sin]]—in essence, the ''first'' sin. By disobeying that order, Adam and Eve fell short. ''Thus sin came into the world.'' No longer, then, was the world "very good."

Two things then happened. First, Adam and Eve separated themselves from God. By so doing, they did "die"--spiritually, though not physically (at least not immediately). As mentioned above, God ''cannot'' tolerate sin in His Presence. Second, the world itself could no longer be perfect. By his sin, Adam sowed seeds of corruption, decay and decline, not merely for himself and Eve and their posterity but also for the entire world.

Two things then happened. First, Adam and Eve separated themselves from God. By so doing, they did "die"—spiritually, though not physically (at least not immediately). As mentioned above, God ''cannot'' tolerate sin in His Presence. Second, the world itself could no longer be perfect. By his sin, Adam sowed seeds of corruption, decay and decline, not merely for himself and Eve and their posterity but also for the entire world.

=== Condition of the World ===

=== Condition of the World ===

==== Sin of the world ====

==== Sin of the world ====

At first, the world was perfect. Now it is not. Indeed, prophecy says that it will never be perfect. Physical death exists in this world, and such death did not exist before. The explanation for untoward events traces back to this first event: God could no longer stay in the world to keep it running properly--and thus, like any engine or other machine left unattended, it began immediately to damage itself. This damage continues today.

At first, the world was perfect. Now it is not. Indeed, prophecy says that it will never be perfect. Physical death exists in this world, and such death did not exist before. The explanation for untoward events traces back to this first event: God could no longer stay in the world to keep it running properly—and thus, like any engine or other machine left unattended, it began immediately to damage itself. This damage continues today.

Many [[creationist]] models incorporate this sin-induced damage as an explanation for such things as the long lifespans recorded prior to the flood, the origin of disease, predation and the apparent error of dating based on [[uniformitarian]] assumptions.

Many [[creationist]] models incorporate this sin-induced damage as an explanation for such things as the long lifespans recorded prior to the flood, the origin of disease, predation and the apparent error of dating based on [[uniformitarian]] assumptions.

== Popular Misconceptions ==

== Popular Misconceptions ==

Many persons, not necessarily in other religious traditions, confuse sin with ''wickedness.'' Wickedness is deliberate, intentional wrongdoing. A wicked person does more than merely miss the target--he deliberately aims wide of it as if out of spite. In any case, not being wicked is not enough. Since man cannot be perfect, he needs a substitutionary sacrifice--namely, that which [[Jesus]] provided.

Many persons, not necessarily in other religious traditions, confuse sin with ''wickedness.'' Wickedness is deliberate, intentional wrongdoing. A wicked person does more than merely miss the target—he deliberately aims wide of it as if out of spite. In any case, not being wicked is not enough. Since man cannot be perfect, he needs a substitutionary sacrifice—namely, that which [[Jesus]] provided.

Many religions include elaborate codes of conduct that represent attempts to present people with a target they can hit on their own power. But according to Fundamentalism, ''no one'' can hit God's target - to live without sinning requires total perfection of thought and deed, a standard no human has any possibility of achieving. Salvation from sin is by grace alone, through faith in [[Jesus Christ]], Who ''alone'' can say on anyone's behalf, "I paid his penalty in full, and I move that his deeds be stricken from the record."

Many religions include elaborate codes of conduct that represent attempts to present people with a target they can hit on their own power. But according to Fundamentalism, ''no one'' can hit God's target - to live without sinning requires total perfection of thought and deed, a standard no human has any possibility of achieving. Salvation from sin is by grace alone, through faith in [[Jesus Christ]], Who ''alone'' can say on anyone's behalf, "I paid his penalty in full, and I move that his deeds be stricken from the record."