Growing up in a Christian faith after I reached adulthood, I was taught from day one that I was born a sinner. I didn’t understand what that meant. I just knew I was “bad” by default. I didn’t get a say. I never chose to disobey God in a garden I’d never seen. But somehow, Adam’s sin was mine too. And unless I accepted Jesus, I was going to hell.
But here’s what hit me later in life:
If I’m automatically condemned because of what one man did (Adam), then shouldn’t I be automatically saved because of what another man supposedly did (Jesus)? After all, Romans 5 calls him the second Adam.
Why is original sin inherited, but salvation requires a contract, a belief, a “decision”?
Why does condemnation come without consent, but salvation requires informed consent?
This started to feel less like justice and more like theological gaslighting.
How can a loving, all-knowing God rig the game this way?
According to Romans 5:12-19, the Apostle Paul draws a direct line between Adam and Jesus calling Adam the one through whom sin and death entered the world, and Christ the one through whom righteousness and life became possible.
“As by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” — Romans 5:19
Sounds fair, right?
Until you look closer.
Here’s the problem:
Adam’s sin made all of us sinners—automatically. You didn’t choose it. You were born guilty. (Psalm 51:5) Even before you could walk or talk, you were already headed toward judgment.
But when it comes to Jesus:
His sacrifice doesn’t save you automatically. Now you must repent. You must believe. You must choose Him.
“To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:12
“If you declare with your mouth… and believe in your heart…” — Romans 10:9
So what happened to fairness?
Why is condemnation a default setting, but salvation requires consent?
This isn’t just a theological quirk it’s a cosmic contradiction. It sounds like:
“You’re born drowning because someone else jumped in the lake…
But if you want to be rescued, you better swim to the boat and ask nicely.”
How is that justice?
Apologists try to explain it:
1. “God respects your free will.”
→ Then why didn’t He respect it when He made you guilty by birth?
2. “Love must be a choice.”
→ Then why wasn’t guilt a choice too?
3. “You inherited Adam’s nature.”
→ Then why not inherit Christ’s righteousness by birth if Jesus is more powerful than sin?
“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” — Romans 5:20
But clearly, grace isn’t as “automatic” as sin.
Even Paul kind of dodges the question:
“Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” — Romans 9:20
Translation: “Don’t ask.”
Final thought:
If God can hold you guilty without your consent,
Why can’t He make you righteous without your permission?
Instead of leveling the playing field, Christian theology appears tilted toward condemnation then calls salvation a “gift” you must qualify to receive.
Sounds less like grace… and more like bait and switch.
adam, bible, choice, christianity, condemn, faith, free will, jesus, religion, righteous, sacrifice, salvation, sin
ex-Christian, Christian theology, Adam and Jesus, Original sin, Christian Logic, bible Contradiction, religious doubt, Atheist India, Faith deconstruction, Leaving religion, Jesus vs Adam, Salvation doctrine
leavingfaithbehind.com 
Share your thoughts