Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Responding to both historic and contemporary criticism of the doctrine, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the concept of original sin is not only theologically defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years.
Review
“Modest in length, but rich in substance … even those who demur from McFarland’s thesis will learn much from a work of competent theology which takes seriously and strives to protect key components in Augustine’s understanding of original sin.” ( Evangelical Quarterly , 2 April 2012)
“Written from an ecumenical Reformed perspective heavily indebted to Augustine and arguably Barth, the book’s strength lies in its sophisticated argument in favor of Augustine’s enduring relevance to ecclesial life generally and the doctrine of original sin specifically, especially the illuminating discourse on willing which paints a surprisingly complex view of the will in concrete acts of sin.” ( Religious Studies Review , 1 December 2011)
"Overall, In Adam's Fall is an engaging and historically-informed reflection on a difficult aspect of Christian teaching that stimulates constructive dialogue and further examination." (Studies in Religion, 2012)
"Libraries that support advanced classes in theology will find this a worthwhile addition. Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above." (Choice, 1 May 2011)
"Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication. In Adam's Fall offers refreshingly original insghts into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years." (Zentrum für Augustinus-Forschung, 2011)
"While unapologetically academic in style, I found this to be most engagingly written and there are few academic books over recent years that have brought me as much pleasure and provoked my thinking to such a degree." (Regent's Reviews, 1 April 2011)
Review
"A must read for anyone who thinks seriously about questions of sin and what it means to be human. McFarland deftly explores historical theological texts and contemporary scientific theory to paint a picture of human beings as creatures whose identity is rooted in an essential unity and thus a common destiny ... This book will be a classic which will find a place in classes about doctrine, theological anthropology and theology classes more generally." ― Stephen G. Ray Jr , Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
"Historically sensitive and dogmatically astute, this book offers a persuasive commendation of an element of Christian doctrine which has become increasingly strange in modern theology." In Adam’s Fall is a work of rare theological and spiritual penetration.’ ― John Webster, King’s College, Aberdeen
From the Inside Flap
Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Striking a careful balance of historic and contemporary criticism with original theological arguments, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the doctrine of original sin is not only theological defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1500 years.
From the Back Cover
Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Responding to both historic and contemporary criticism of the doctrine, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the concept of original sin is not only theologically defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years.
About the Author
Ian A. McFarland is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. McFarland studied theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Yale University. He is the author of Difference and Identity: A Theological Anthropology (2001) and The Divine Image: Envisioning the Invisible God (2005).
Description:
IN ADAM’S FALL
Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Responding to both historic and contemporary criticism of the doctrine, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the concept of original sin is not only theologically defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years.
Review
“Modest in length, but rich in substance … even those who demur from McFarland’s thesis will learn much from a work of competent theology which takes seriously and strives to protect key components in Augustine’s understanding of original sin.” ( Evangelical Quarterly , 2 April 2012)
“Written from an ecumenical Reformed perspective heavily indebted to Augustine and arguably Barth, the book’s strength lies in its sophisticated argument in favor of Augustine’s enduring relevance to ecclesial life generally and the doctrine of original sin specifically, especially the illuminating discourse on willing which paints a surprisingly complex view of the will in concrete acts of sin.” ( Religious Studies Review , 1 December 2011)
"Overall, In Adam's Fall is an engaging and historically-informed reflection on a difficult aspect of Christian teaching that stimulates constructive dialogue and further examination." (Studies in Religion, 2012)
"Libraries that support advanced classes in theology will find this a worthwhile addition. Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above." (Choice, 1 May 2011)
"Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication. In Adam's Fall offers refreshingly original insghts into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years." (Zentrum für Augustinus-Forschung, 2011)
"While unapologetically academic in style, I found this to be most engagingly written and there are few academic books over recent years that have brought me as much pleasure and provoked my thinking to such a degree." (Regent's Reviews, 1 April 2011)
Review
"A must read for anyone who thinks seriously about questions of sin and what it means to be human. McFarland deftly explores historical theological texts and contemporary scientific theory to paint a picture of human beings as creatures whose identity is rooted in an essential unity and thus a common destiny ... This book will be a classic which will find a place in classes about doctrine, theological anthropology and theology classes more generally."
― Stephen G. Ray Jr , Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
"Historically sensitive and dogmatically astute, this book offers a persuasive commendation of an element of Christian doctrine which has become increasingly strange in modern theology." In Adam’s Fall is a work of rare theological and spiritual penetration.’
― John Webster, King’s College, Aberdeen
From the Inside Flap
Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Striking a careful balance of historic and contemporary criticism with original theological arguments, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the doctrine of original sin is not only theological defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1500 years.
From the Back Cover
Few doctrines of Christian teaching are more controversial than original sin. For how is it possible to affirm the universality of sin without losing sight of the distinct ways in which individuals are both responsible for and suffer the consequences of sinful behavior?
In considering the Christian doctrine of original sin, McFarland challenges many prevailing views about it. He shows us that traditional Christian convictions regarding humanity’s congenital sinfulness neither undermine the moral accountability of sin’s perpetrators nor dampen concern for its victims. Responding to both historic and contemporary criticism of the doctrine, In Adam’s Fall reveals how the concept of original sin is not only theologically defensible, but stimulating and productive for a life of faith.
Drawing on both the classical formulations of Augustine and the Christology of Maximus the Confessor, McFarland proposes a radical reconstruction of the doctrine of original sin – one that not only challenges contemporary Western visions of human autonomy but emphasizes the integrity of each individual called by God to a unique and irreplaceable destiny. Engagingly written and infused with scholarly sophistication, In Adam’s Fall offers refreshingly original insights into the contemporary relevance of a doctrine of Christian teaching that has inspired fierce debate for over 1,500 years.
About the Author
Ian A. McFarland is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. McFarland studied theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Yale University. He is the author of Difference and Identity: A Theological Anthropology (2001) and The Divine Image: Envisioning the Invisible God (2005).