One thing I find fascinating about early Christian theology is how so many of the Church Fathers chose Traducianism (idea that souls are passed from parents to child) over Creationism (that God created each soul at conception) because the former justified Original Sin.
They saw clearly that traducianism was problematic (Augustine himself was ambivalent), but they were so married to the idea that humans are born sinful, that they chose the doctrine which said the only soul God actually created was Adam's and that every other soul was derivative.
The Church Fathers were grappling with an obvious problem that most modern, educated Christians who believe in Original Sin unlook: if God creates every new soul, and everything God creates is perfect, how is Adam's state of sinfulness transferred to them?
By the Middle Ages and later, traducianism had lost ground in the face of many arguments. In most churches, it is now considered error or heresy. Soul Creationism now reigns.
And yet, Original Sin, which Soul Creationism contradicts, is also still doctrine.
Fascinating.
And yet, Original Sin, which Soul Creationism contradicts, is also still doctrine.
Fascinating.
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