Understanding the Doctrine of the Fall of Man According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What is the biblical doctrine of the fall of man, and what were its immediate consequences?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the biblical doctrine of the fall of man is found in Genesis 3, which explains how mankind transitioned from a state of perfection in the Garden of Eden to our current fallen condition. The immediate consequences of this fall included:

1. The curse upon the serpent (Genesis 3:14-15)
2. Consequences for women: "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."
3. The curse upon the ground: "Cursed is the ground for thy sake. In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also, and thistles shall it bring forth to thee."
4. The necessity of labor: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread."

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that even creation itself was affected by the fall, referencing Romans 8:20 that "the creature was made subject of vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected the same in hope."

How does the Bible describe the universality of sin?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Bible consistently teaches the universality of sin - that sin affects all humanity without exception. He cites several key passages:

1. Isaiah 53:6 - "All we, like sheep, have gone astray"
2. Romans 3 - "There is none righteous, no, not one... All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"
3. James 3:2 - "In many things we offend all"
4. 1 John 1:8,10 - "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Lloyd-Jones summarizes that according to the Bible, "the entire world is guilty of sin" and that sin has "affected the entire nature of men" - including body, soul, and spirit.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define sin according to biblical teaching?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides a comprehensive biblical understanding of sin with these key characteristics:

1. Sin is "moral or ethical evil" (not just evil in general)
2. Sin means "missing the mark or deviating from the right way"
3. Sin means "an absence or a want of integrity"
4. Sin is "a revolt, a rebellion, a refusal to subject ourselves to rightful authority"
5. Sin involves "guilt" and "unfaithfulness" and even "treason"
6. Sin is "vanity" (referencing Ephesians 4)
7. Sin is "a perversion or a distortion of nature"

He offers this comprehensive definition: "Sin is lack of conformity to the moral law of God, either in state disposition or act."

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that sin has "an absolute character" (it's either good or evil with no gray area), is "directly related to God and his will and his law," is "in the heart of men" (not just on the surface), and "does not consist of actions only, but essentially in a condition."

What are the two main theories explaining how Adam's sin affected all humanity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents two main theories explaining how Adam's sin affected all humanity:

1. The Realistic Theory (Seminal Identity): This theory suggests that "the whole of human nature was in Adam" when he sinned. Like Levi who "paid tithes to Melchizedek" while still in Abraham's loins (Hebrews 7:9-10), all humanity was present in Adam's loins when he sinned. Lloyd-Jones notes some difficulties with this view: it tends to materialize the soul, doesn't explain why we're responsible only for Adam's first sin (not all his sins), and creates difficulties regarding Christ's human nature.

2. The Federal Representative Theory: This theory proposes that God made a covenant with Adam as the appointed representative of all humanity. When Adam fell, we all suffered the consequences because he was our representative, similar to how an ambassador represents a country. This view explains why only Adam's first sin is imputed to us and avoids difficulties regarding Christ's nature.

Lloyd-Jones admits he finds it "difficult to be entirely on the one side or the other" and suggests both theories might have merit.

What is the doctrine of original sin and what are its two components?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the doctrine of original sin does NOT mean sin was part of man's original constitution. Rather, it means:

1. Sin is "derived from the original root of the human race, Adam"
2. Sin "inheres in human nature from birth" (not merely from imitating others)
3. Sin is "the inward root of all the sins that we actually commit"

Original sin has two critical components:

1. Original Guilt: We have inherited actual guilt from Adam's transgression. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Romans 5:12-19 clearly teaches this, though many people reject this doctrine. He points out that Paul's parallel between Adam and Christ is central to understanding salvation - just as Adam's sin is imputed to us without our action, so Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers without their action.

2. Original Pollution: We have inherited a polluted nature (which Lloyd-Jones indicates he will discuss in more detail in his next lecture).

Lloyd-Jones concludes by stressing that both components are essential to properly understand the biblical doctrine of original sin and to appreciate "the greatness of God's grace and love in dealing with us as he does in Christ Jesus."