Hamartiology, the study of sin, is rooted in Gen. 3 when both Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation to “be like God.” As a result of Adam’s sin, every human has inherited guilt and deserves punishment from God (Rom. 5:12). Secondly, because of this sin, everyone has a sinful nature and is unable to do spiritual good.  We all deserve punishment until we are back into a relationship with Him (6:23).  Lastly, because of Adam’s sin, I subscribe to the belief of total depravity, because every part of our being is affected by sin and the only way out of it is for the Spirit of God to draw us toward Him (Rom. 1:18, 8:29-30).

            Even though most of our society is geared toward the individual, there is a corporate component to sin that must be acknowledged.  When someone sins it affects more than just the individual.  It severs the relationship with God; it sometimes severs the relationship with other people; and many times an entire society has to deal with the consequences of one person’s sin.