FAITH OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

By Edward Matulanya  The Sin of Adam and Eve in Roman Catholic Teaching The sin committed by Adam and Eve is commonly referred to as the Original Sin. It is central to Catholic understanding of human nature, the need for redemption, and the origin of moral disorder in the world. 1. Nature of the Sin Adam and Eve  Disobedience to God: Adam and Eve sinned by deliberately disobeying God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17; Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1993, para. 397). Act of Pride: Their disobedience was motivated by a desire to “be like God”, knowing good and evil on their own, rather than trusting in God’s wisdom (CCC, 1993, para. 398). Personal and Universal Implications: While it was a personal sin, it had universal consequences for all humanity because it wounded human nature and introduced the inclination to sin. 2. Consequences of the Sin The Church teaches that the sin of Adam and Eve had several profound effec...