Back to the Beginning, Part 2

There are teachings within Buddhism and Christianity that speak of our inherent goodness.  They inform us that goodness is our very nature.  Therefore, in this view, any “evil” that we experience in ourselves is a distortion of our nature. 

           

Within the Buddhist teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche we come across the concept of “basic goodness.”  This is the notion that human beings are fundamentally good.  Within this philosophical framework, problems and short-comings are seen as temporary and superficial defilements that cover over one’s basic goodness.  Therefore, these problems and shortcomings do not change our nature.  They are “temporary and superficial.”

           

This is very different from the Christian concept of “original sin.”  Original sin refers to the general condition of sinfulness (and the absence of holiness) into which all humans are thought to be born.  It presents our origin as “sinful.”  Many Christians believe that the doctrine of original sin is fundamental to the Christian path.  However, the doctrine was actually first articulated by Bishop Irenaeus in the 2^nd century.  It was later expanded upon by Augustine and, after a long and bitter struggle between various church fathers, the general principles of Augustine's teaching were confirmed within Western Christianity by many councils, especially the Second Council of Orange in 529.  Original sin, according to Augustine, consists of the guilt of Adam which all human beings inherit.  As sinners, we are utterly depraved and lack the freedom to do good.  Therefore, we can only be saved from our sinful nature by accepting that Jesus died for our sins – that his blood sacrifice is what will wash us clean.

           

However, the doctrine of original sin is not the only view of our origins within the Christian tradition and is not even the most fundamental view.  It is interesting to note that the Jewish tradition (from which the story of Adam and Eve originated) has no concept of original sin.  It is a concept that occurs only many years after the death of Jesus (who died a Jew, by the way) and was developed by various men within the evolving Catholic church.  Another doctrine that we can also see clearly throughout the Judeo-Christian tradition has been articulated very well by Matthew Fox.  He uses the term “original blessing” to define the condition of our creation by God.

           

When we read the account of creation in Genesis we notice the repetition of a phrase that occurs throughout the whole account – “it was good.”  It was good!  Our origin, according to the Judeo-Christian tradition is goodness, not sin.  Matthew Fox calls it a “blessing.”  In a sermon given at his church in Oklahoma City, Dr. Robin Meyers (author of Saving Jesus from the Church) said,

“Matthew Fox asked the obvious question:  Are we born bad and stay that way?  Or are we born good and forget where we came from, where we are going, and to Whom we belong?  Original Blessing puts the responsibility of remembering and embracing our goodness upon us.  But the alternative keeps us both helpless and childish which is exactly what religion does for lots of people.” (http://www.mayflowerucc.org/PrintedSermons/012410Meyers.pdf)

To believe in the doctrine of original sin is to remain “helpless and childish” – our only hope is to submit to the authority of the church and the saving power of Jesus’ blood.  To believe in the doctrine of original blessing is to make us responsible for “remembering and embracing our goodness.”  We are the ones who have forgotten the truth – the truth of our goodness.  We have forgotten “where we came from” – the very heart of God.  We have forgotten “where we are going” – back home to the heart of God (where we actually never left).  We have forgotten “to Whom we belong” – to God and not ourselves.

Our origin is a blessing, not a sin.  Our basic nature is goodness, not evil.  How do you imagine accepting blessing and goodness as our starting point would influence your self-concept and your relationships with others?  How is this different from accepting sin and evil as your starting point?