Sin and Salvation

YEAR 10 · UNIT 20: CHRISTIANITY — BELIEFS & TEACHINGS (PART 2) · LESSON 4

What You'll Learn

Understand Christian concepts of sin, original sin, and salvation through different theological traditions.

Recall: The Afterlife

Last lesson you learned about the Afterlife
5:00

Last lesson you learned about Christian beliefs about heaven, hell, and judgement. Here are 4 questions to check your understanding.

What is heaven in Christian belief?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Eternal life in God's presence. Jesus promised believers would live with him forever in 'my Father's house.'

What is the Last Judgement?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: When Jesus returns, all people are judged. Those who are righteous enter eternal life; the unrighteous face punishment.

What is purgatory, and which Church teaches it?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Catholic doctrine of a temporary state after death where souls are purified before entering heaven. Most Protestants reject it.

How do modern Christians interpret hell differently from traditional views?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Some see hell as metaphorical spiritual separation rather than literal fire. Others embrace universalism—all are eventually saved.

Sin: Separation from God

What is sin? In Christianity, sin is separation from God through wrongdoing or rebellion. It includes both actions (murder, theft, lying) and inner attitudes (pride, envy, hatred).

Key scripture: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is universal—all humans sin.

Types of sin:

  • Mortal sin (Catholic term): Serious sin that breaks relationship with God (murder, apostasy)
  • Venial sin: Minor sin (small lies, gossip) that damages but doesn't break the relationship
  • Actual sin: Sin you personally commit
  • Original sin: Inherited sinfulness from Adam and Eve (see below)

Original Sin (Genesis 3)

What is Original Sin? The doctrine that all humans inherit sinfulness from Adam and Eve, the first humans. Their disobedience to God brought sin into the world.

The Fall (Genesis 3): God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan (the serpent) tempted them. They disobeyed, ate the fruit, and were expelled from Eden. Result: Shame, labour, death, and alienation from God entered the world.

Augustine's interpretation: The Christian theologian Augustine taught that all humans are born in a state of original sin. We don't inherit guilt, but we inherit the condition of sinfulness. Babies are born separated from God.

Different Christian views:

  • Traditional (Catholic, Orthodox): Original sin is inherited. Baptism removes it.
  • Pelagian view (rejected): Humans have free will; original sin doesn't affect us.
  • Modern liberal view: Original sin is a myth. Humans can choose to sin or not.

The Difference: Original Sin vs Personal Sin

ORIGINAL SIN Inherited from Adam & Eve. All humans are born in this state. We don't choose it; it's our condition. Passed down through generations.
PERSONAL SIN Sins you commit yourself through your own choices. Lying, stealing, harming others. You are responsible for these.

Salvation: Being Saved

What is salvation? Salvation is rescue from sin and its consequences—death and separation from God.

Key scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

How are you saved? This varies by denomination:

  • Protestant (Faith Alone): Salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone. Grace is God's free gift. Works don't earn salvation.
  • Catholic (Faith + Works): Salvation requires both faith and works. You cooperate with God's grace through sacraments and good deeds.
  • Orthodox: Salvation is theosis—union with God. It's a lifelong process of transformation through the Holy Spirit.

The role of the Holy Spirit: All Christian traditions emphasise the Holy Spirit's role in salvation. The Spirit convicts of sin, enables faith, and sanctifies (transforms) the believer.

Historical Views on Salvation

Augustine (354–430)

Taught that original sin corrupts all humans. We cannot save ourselves. Grace (God's free gift) is necessary and irresistible. Influenced Protestant theology and Catholic doctrine of baptism.

Martin Luther (1483–1546)

Luther emphasised "faith alone" (sola fide). Works cannot save you; only faith in Christ's grace. This sparked the Protestant Reformation and separated Catholic and Protestant understanding of salvation.

John Calvin (1509–1564)

Taught predestination: God already knows who will be saved. But Calvin also stressed the sovereignty of God's grace. Influential in Reformed and Presbyterian churches.

Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609)

Responded to Calvin: Humans have free will to accept or reject God's grace. Salvation is possible for all, not just the predestined. This view shapes Methodism and other traditions.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation

What the Holy Spirit Does

  • Conviction: The Spirit makes you aware of sin (John 16:8)
  • Regeneration: The Spirit gives spiritual rebirth (John 3:3–8)
  • Faith: The Spirit enables faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:3)
  • Sanctification: The Spirit transforms you into Christ's likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • Assurance: The Spirit confirms you are God's child (Romans 8:16)

Without the Holy Spirit, salvation is impossible. This is central to all Christian traditions.

Original Sin vs Personal Sin

Task: Explain clearly the difference between original sin and personal sin (4-mark question).

Tips:

  • Define original sin with reference to Adam & Eve (Genesis)
  • Define personal sin as sins you commit yourself
  • Explain why the distinction matters (inherited vs chosen)
  • Give examples to make it clear
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GCSE 12-Mark Evaluation: Salvation

Statement: "'Humans cannot save themselves — only God can.' Evaluate."

What this means: Is human salvation entirely dependent on God, or do humans play a role through their choices and actions?

Structure:

  • Intro: State your position and explain what you'll discuss.
  • Arguments that only God can save: Augustine, Luther, human depravity, grace is unmerited.
  • Arguments that humans have a role: Free will, Catholic view (faith + works), Arminius, responsibility.
  • Conclusion: Weigh the evidence and reach a judgement.
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Review: Sin & Salvation

What is sin in Christianity?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Separation from God through wrongdoing or rebellion. Includes both actions (lying, theft) and inner attitudes (pride, envy).

What is original sin?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The doctrine that all humans inherit sinfulness from Adam and Eve. The Fall (Genesis 3) brought sin and death into the world.

What is the difference between original sin and personal sin?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Original sin: inherited from Adam & Eve, affects all humans. Personal sin: sins you commit yourself through your choices.

How do different Christian traditions view salvation?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Protestants emphasise faith alone. Catholics require faith + works. Orthodox see salvation as theosis (union with God).

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The Spirit convicts of sin, enables faith, grants rebirth, sanctifies the believer, and provides assurance of salvation.