The Entrance of Evil and the Fall of Man

Mr. Wagner addresses the problem of evil as it surfaces in Genesis 3. He distinguishes sin (any want of conformity to or transgression of God's law) from original sin (the loss of original righteousness, the corruption of the whole nature, and inherited guilt), introduces the historic Christian view of Satan as a fallen creature whose mission is to kill, steal, and destroy, and explains Adam as federal head whose disobedience plunges all humanity into sin and misery. He follows the serpent's strategy — questioning, contradicting, and then redirecting Eve's eyes to the fruit — and notes that Adam, present and silent, fails his prophetic charge to guard the word of God.