The Imputation of Adam's Sin by John Murray

by John Murray

Unknown Binding

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Reviews

[Sam Nesbitt]

Absolutely essential reading for a deeper understanding of the Reformed doctrine of original sin and depravity. Murray introduces the reader to central debates and subtle distinctions that are often overlooked in popular treatments on the doctrine of sin, thereby taking the reader to a deeper understanding of not only the doctrine of sin, but also of covenant theology and justification.

Chapter one focuses on the exegetical dimensions of Romans 5:15-19, the most significant passage in the Bible for understanding the nature of Adam’s sin and its relation to humanity. Murray demonstrates that Paul’s understanding of the crucial phrase in Romans 5:12 “because all sinned”, is in reference to the one sin of Adam, not the individual, volitional sins of each person.

Chapter two delineates the two major doctrinal frameworks for understanding the principle of solidarity between Adam and his progeny, namely realism and representationalism. The realist posits that there was an ontological singularity of human nature that abided within Adam, and when Adam sinned, this singular mass was corrupted by sin and incurred guilt. All humans, being derived from Adam, therefore partake in this corrupted singularity of human nature. The representationalist, on the other hand, posits that the relationship between Adam and his progeny is to be understood by a federal, representative framework wherein the actions and consequences of the federal head are ordained to be rendered unto all represented by him. Murray ultimately contends for the representational view, finding the realist view to be unnecessary, not explicitly supported by Scripture, and in disjunction with the typological parallel between Adam and Christ. Very importantly, Murray helpfully points out that the realist view does not have a monopoly on the hereditary and genetic dimension of original sin; both the realist and the representationalist maintain that sin and guilt are brought about in time through human generation and that there is a necessary biological component to original sin.

The third chapter dives deeper into the nature of imputation, specifically comparing and contrasting mediate and immediate imputation. The latter posits that the guilt of Adam’s sin is rendered unto all his progeny simply by virtue of solidarity with his person, while the former posits that the guilt of Adam’s sin is mediated through the inheritance of a sinful nature. Murray, and many other figures within the Reformed tradition, contend for immediate imputation over mediate. Murray argues for this on the basis of exegetical evidence and again appealing to the typological parallel between Adam and Christ (e.g., Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the elect on the basis of being united with Christ, an immediate reality, rather than being imputed through a holiness and purity wrought in the person, a mediate reality).

The final chapter discusses further the nature of Adam’s sin that is imputed, such as whether it is the very culpable fault of Adam (culpa), the liability to punishment/obligation to justice (reatus), or punishment for the sin (poena). Ultimately, Murray contends for a view that involves all of these dimensions; contrary to a Roman Catholic view, for example, the sinner cannot be understood as liable to fault without also being liable to the punishment and vice versa. If this is the case, however, we must understand how the act and fault of Adam can be rendered as our own if we were not the one’s who personally committed the act. Murray contends for the forensic categories that are operative in covenant theology to do this; since Adam is the unique figurehead of humanity, he bears a special, ordered relation to all his progeny that provides sufficient basis for his own actions to be rendered as our own. Note that this is the very same logic of what it means to be justified in Christ, a crucial point to understand.

The reader should learn much from this little book, but he will probably have to read slowly due to Murray’s dense style and technical arguments. There are some sections that one can especially get bogged down in, such as his treatment on Jonathan Edward’s position on original sin, and unfortunately some sections are superfluous to the overall argument (e.g., Murray takes some time to argue that Calvin and Augustine do not have to be understood as realists. As interesting of a historical point this may be, the point that Augustine and Calvin are not necessarily realists offers very little if nothing to the overall argument; no doubt, if Murray granted that Calvin and Augustine were in fact realists, he would have made the same exact arguments that he did).

An unfortunate oversight is the issue of the Virgin Birth and its relation to hereditary corruption, especially as this fits within the representational view. Again, Murray is very good to argue for the representational view incorporating hereditary corruption and generation, but going further to explain how and why the Virgin Birth was necessary within the representational framework would have strengthened his argument all the more.

Overall, the reader will come away with a deeper understanding of not only the matters pertaining to Adam’s sin and its relation to us, but also to our justification in Christ and, perhaps surprisingly, the doctrine of the “age of accountability” and the salvation of infants. A robust understanding of the imputation of Adam’s sin and guilt to all his progeny will lead necessarily to the conclusion that if any are to be saved, even the littlest amongst us, they must be saved by the person and work of Christ.

[Edward]

I was going to give three stars due to the high volume of abstraction. But then I thought how well written it was so I awarded it another star.

[Amanda]

I don’t know how to rate this book. I would not have finished it if it wasn’t assigned for class. The last chapter was better than the others, but I found Murray’s writing style/argument hard to track with and repetitive. Overall I feel like i understand less about the imputation of Adam’s sin than I did before reading this book. 😂 I realize the issue ie most likely with me, the reader, rather than with the author. (But I’m hoping the class lectures on this topic clear up my confusion.)

[Faith Key]

very careful and clear exposition of the imputation of sin and of Christ's righteousness. his interaction with other views was extremely helpful. an extremely dense and dry read - like eating a good biscuit that has been left out for several days. docked it another star purely because of the typeface - it was that unfortunate.

[Josh Olson]

So far the best treatment on the subject of original sin/ the imputation of sin that I’ve ever read.

Though brief, it is a focused look at Romans 5:12-19, and exegetes the passage thoroughly. This is a great resource for pastors and students alike to answer some of the difficult questions related to this doctrine.

[LMS]

Important questions and important distinctions. The imputation of Adam’s sin must be like and unlike the imputation of our sin to Christ and of Christ’s righteousness to us. This book explores some of those careful nuances we must consider when answering the question: why (and how) do all sin in Adam?

[Tengxiang]

Very technical. I realize Poythress' Principle of Solidarity probably came from this book, somehow the meaning is slightly different in different contexts.

[James Ritchey]

In this book, we see the best of Murray’s theological method, blending biblical theology, exegesis, systematic theology and historical theology. Though it’s a short book, it’s dense.