Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Original Sin below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that Adam's sin is transmitted to all his descendants, so that every person is born with original sin — a state of deprivation of original holiness, not a personal fault. It holds that baptism erases original sin, though its effects (concupiscence) remain.
Source: CCC 396–409 ↗
The Orthodox Church teaches 'ancestral sin': humanity inherits from Adam a fallen, mortal condition inclined toward sin, but not Adam's personal guilt. It holds that each person is responsible only for their own sins, and that baptism heals the wound of the fall.
Lutherans confess that since the fall of Adam, all human beings are born with original sin — a deep corruption of nature that is truly sin and condemns, bringing eternal death apart from Christ. They hold that baptism regenerates and that original sin remains even in the baptized, though not imputed.
Source: Augsburg Confession, Art. II; Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. I ↗
The Reformed tradition teaches that by Adam's fall all his posterity inherit both his guilt and a corrupt nature — total depravity, by which every part of human nature is tainted by sin. It holds that this corruption makes sinners wholly unable to save themselves and deserving of God's wrath.
Source: Westminster Confession 6.1–6.6 ↗
Baptists teach that by his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race, so that his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. They hold that as soon as persons are capable of moral action they become transgressors and are under condemnation.
Source: BFM 2000, III ↗
Methodists teach that original sin is the corruption of human nature, by which every person is inclined to evil and unable by nature to follow God. They hold that Christ's atonement and prevenient grace counteract this corruption, restoring to all a genuine ability to respond to God.
See how the traditions compare on related topics: