Re: [asa] Pelagianism?

> I ask because I'm discussing with someone whether pre-existing tendencies
> towards selfishness, violence etc. inherited through biological and social
> evolution are in themselves "sin." My view is that such pre-existing
> tendencies aren't in themselves "sin"; free will is still possible and only
> volitional acts in furtherance of such tendencies would be "sin." Only
> after the Fall is it inevitable that our volitional acts, absent Grace, will
> tend towards choosing to perpetuate selfishness, violence, etc.

Another complication is that those underlying tendencies often have
potential uses for good as well as for bad. E.g., selfishness is bad,
but taking good care of oneself is good.

-- 
Dr. David Campbell
425 Scientific Collections
University of Alabama
"I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"
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