CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS'S TEACHING ON THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN IN 'THE GREAT DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN DEFENDED

The purpose of this thesis is to examine Jonathan Edwards's doctrine of original sin in relation to the Reformed Confessions, with particular emphasis on comparing and evaluating his views with those outlined in the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dordrecht, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Westminster Larger Catechism. This literature-based research utilizes a descriptive-analytic methodology and employs systematic theological, philosophical, and practical approaches to evaluate Edwards's doctrine of original sin through the lens of these confessional documents, covering the aspects of the origin, consequences, and transmission of original sin. This research concludes that Edwards's teachings, for the most part, can be regarded as Reformed, as his core doctrines align closely with the Reformed Confessions. However, it is crucial to note that his innovative application of supernatural and natural principles, Lockean theory of personal identity, and the doctrine of continuous creation lacks explicit scriptural support and diverges from both biblical authority and the Reformed Confessions. These ideas, introduced to address the objections surrounding Adam's finst sin and the imputation of his guilt to humanity, are speculative in nature. The key takeaway is the necessity of balancing theological conservatism with creativity in order to maintain doctrinal integrity while avoiding interpretations that stray from scriptural foundations.