Is Original Sin in Scripture? by Herbert Haag (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 793 " problem " and " mystery " and for the Continental insights into intersubjective knowledge. Thus, this book merits attention, even thought its argumentation is not convincing. Dominican House of Studies Washington, D. C. MATTHEW RZECZKOWSKI, 0. P. Is Original Sin in Scripture? By HERBERT HAAG. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1969. Pp. 1~7. $3.95. This slim volume is a translation of Biblische Sc!Wpfungslehre und kirchliche Erbsiindenlehre with some modifications for American readers. The work rightly points to the need for some re-evaluation of the theological notes attached to certain doctrines as well as the desirability of eliminating some exeessive theological conclusions having no real basis in the biblical texts, e. g., certain speculations about the preternatural gifts. The treatment given to catechetical presentations of original sin is far too long, however, and becomes tedious. The author, however, leaves no doubt as to his own conclusions: " The idea that Adam's descendants are automatically sinners because of the sin of their ancestor, and that they are already sinners when they enter the world, is foreign to Holy Scripture. . . . The ' inheritance ' of Adam's sin means rather that sin, after its entrance into the world, so spread that consequently all men are born into a sinful world and in this sinful world become themselves sinners.... No man enters the world a sinner.... However, the man who is born in the New Covenant times does not automatically share in the life of the risen Christ ... but receive it only when they become united to Christ. . . . This union with the risen Christ is based on faith and becomes effective through baptism. . . . Thus baptism does not bring about the removal of ' original sin,' but rather rebirth as a child of God; it makes man a member of Christ...." (pp. 106-107) The book itself, of course, must be read in order to weigh properly the supporting argumentation. Readers may find it interesting to compare Dr. Haag's approach with that used by Dr. Joseph Fitzmyer, S. J., in the Jerome Biblical Commentary (cf. Pauline Anthropology, p. 818 f., and his pertinent comments on Rom. 5, l~-~1, p. 306 f.) . Dominican House of Studies Washington, D. C. ALAN SMITH, 0. p. ...