Original sin: How to bring children up in the doctrine of original sin (without breaking their will)

The doctrine of original sin is the most misunderstood and misused of Christian teachings. Yet, original sin is the backbone of Christianity. Without original sin, there is no reason for a Christian teachings. However, many parents call their children "sinners". The fact of the matter is that there are better ways to teach children about sin and atonement than punishing them in order to "breaking their will".

Teaching original sin is part of the doctrine of righteous discipline. See Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, including the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians in the parish at Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon. 

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and involves melding the countenance of children. In the Hebraic context of the Bible, that can mean only one thing - lavishly praising and encouraging children when they were caught in the act of good behavior. This good behavior ultimately came from the righteous example of parents. However, that example was not backed up by punishment, but instead was backed up with praise and encouragement with phrases such as "keep headed down the straight path". Instead of breaking the will of children, the goal in the Early Church was to praise and encourage good behavior in order to center their countenance. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This instruction started out with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer, with that dialogue being where original sin comes up.

Children are bound to ask "why did they have to kill Jesus". The proper answer to that question is "We are all sinners, and so we needed a Christ in order for our sins to be forgiven". Most of the time, children can handle that sort of information. However, some sensitive children will need reassurance. Original sin is a delicate topic, and thus should only be taught using smoke signals.

In many Christian homes today, children are repeatedly spanked and punished with the intent to "break their will". The idea is to break down children into giving a confession of sin. The problem is that this setup was banned in the Early Church. The Early Christians instead melded the countenance of children with praise and encouragement. With enough praise for things such as self-control, children developed a centered countenance. Religious instruction also helped with children forming a centered countenance. Most children are naturally curious about religion. Christian parents in the Early Church spoon fed their children with loving biblical instruction, with that loving instruction coming in the form of a question and answer setup. When children asked religious questions, they were met with a developmentally appropriate explanation.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!