The "sinful nature" (total depravity) doctrine is a "gnostic", fatalistic view of man. It is a concept which derived from Neo-Platonism, which was blended in the early catholic teachings beginning as early as Irenaeus, but became dogma under Augustine of Hippo, who by political influence created a system of theology that even modern day Churches hold to, both catholic, reformed... everyone (can anyone show me different?). It says that because of Adam's disobedience, all are made sinners, taking Romans 5:12 dramatically out of context, and basically deleting the end of it: "because all sinned". Translation of the epistles that Augustine had was penned by Jerome, another catholic, and he made a mistake when doing that passage, thus Augustine beginning his teaching that "all sinned in Adam" and thus all mankind is a "lump of sin". The Calvinists, the Moral Government view and the Arminian proponents all have differing views of this "depravity", but nonetheless hold to it in some form or another, and thus are at the very root, catholic, although they may reject much of their other doctrine. That man is born with a propensity to sin is a lie. To say that man is held in bondage of something he cannot reject, while saying he still retains free will is a lie. This is the single worse thing that has ever happened to the world, us thinking we are born sinners, or depraved, or inclined towards evil. This gives our sub-consciences an excuse to continue in disobedience, and also gives us the thoughts of, "why try, I am wicked by nature anyway, and God is love and He will understand", and things such as this. If we tell a child they are born sinful and cannot obey God even if they wanted to, of their own free will, what do you think they would become? Take a look around, and you have your answer...
Yeah, its true that everyone I have ever met has sinned. And there are passages that say that all have sinned. It makes sense because the world is wicked and the influence is very strong. But, the question I feel is important is: do we have to sin? Is there something that dwells in us from birth that compels us to sin? I have to say no.
I am entirely convinced that we are born with an independent free will and can use our bodies how we wish to. We can choose to be led by spiritual realities or carnal delights (Romans 6:13). Sure, we have fleshly appetites, just as Adam and Eve did, but we are to master them and remain obedient to God and conscience, as we are a slave to whom we obey (Romans 6:16), and we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).
Consider...
"...when Gentiles, who do not have the [written] law, ***by nature do the things in the law***, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)" --Romans 2:14-15
I see the Bible teaching that we are born as innocent babies. No sinful nature or inclination to sin, no righteous nature that forces us to be righteous; neutral, blank slate, able to operate by out own will. Sure, babies cry, whine, bite, hit and do other things that don't seem very nice, but is this sin? No. Someone needs to have full awareness of wrong and right (Deuteronomy 1:39) and the consequences of disobedience to be held morally culpable for their behavior. If a 2 year old picked up a gun and shot someone, would they go to prison? No. Why not? Ask yourself.
You said: "If Adam would not have sinned, he would never have died".
It was the Tree of Life that kept Adam alive physically, and would have allowed him to live forever (Genesis 3:22). I believe we were not meant to be physically immortal (because of the last passage, and also because the earth would have become overpopulated long ago, and the cycles of life in this universe clearly dictate this reality, which God constructed).
"Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes.” -Ecclesiastes 7:29
"Then they fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?” -Numbers 16:22
"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well." -Psalm 139:13-14
Adam died spiritually/morally that moment he disobeyed the Lord, and was restored to right standing when God clothed him with animal skin, signifying remission (Hebrews 9:22). God is the one who made the rule not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, and he is also the one who constituted the penalty. Would any fair judge or person of justice make a penalty to a broken law that would hold others responsible and punish them for another's crime? I don't think so. Is God just?
"Yet you say, ‘Why should the son NOT bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall NOT bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." -Ezekiel 18:19-20
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!" -Ezekiel 18:30-32
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God." -1 John 3:20-21
"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." -Acts 24:16
