What Happens When We Deny Original Sin?

In the early 1800s, a man by the name of Robert Owen began to challenge the concept of original sin. "None are or can be bad by nature," he mused, "and it must be a gross error to make him responsible for what nature and his predecessors have compelled him to be." As a result, Owen attempted to establish a utopian socialist community in New Harmony, Indiana. And even though his project utterly failed after only three years, his views would later greatly influence thinkers such as Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, who in their Communist Manifesto, actually referred to Owen's work as a kind of "new gospel." On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Michael McClymond, focusing this time on the social and political implications of denying original sin. __________ For a gift of $50 or more, request your copy of Michael Horton's new book, Recovering Our Sanity - How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears That Divide Us, go to whitehorseinn.org/fearofgod. __________ Become a partner and you will receive all of the White Horse Inn extended episodes, access to our extensive archive as well as a subscription to our magazine, Modern Reformation. Head over to whitehorseinn.org/podcastpartner.