Theology Terms Explained: “The Fall”
In this series on the blog, we’re providing sound doctrine for everyday people by providing you with clear and simple definitions that will strengthen your theological foundation. Each article covers 4 categories including:
The Term – We lay out how it’s pronounced or synonymous terms.
The Definition – We provide the Merriam-Webster definition and an everyday version.
The Biblical Connection – We show you where the term connects with Scripture.
Used in an Everyday Conversation – We use it in a basic conversation.
The Term
The Fall
The Definition
Merriam-Webster: The fall of man; the event in which humanity lost its original innocence through sin and disobedience to God.
FTG Expanded Explanation: The Fall refers to Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden when they disobeyed His command and ate from the forbidden tree. As humanity’s representative, Adam’s sin brought guilt, corruption, suffering, and death into the human race. Every person is now born with a sinful nature and lives in a world corrupted by sin. The Fall explains why the world God created good is now filled with evil, suffering, brokenness, and death. Yet God immediately promised a coming Redeemer who would ultimately defeat the serpent and reverse the curse of sin.
The Biblical Connection
Genesis 3:6 – “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”
Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 – “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
Used in an Everyday Conversation
“The Fall explains why a world created good by God is now filled with sin, suffering, disease, conflict, and death.”
“Our greatest problem is not merely the brokenness around us, but the sin within us. We need far more than just a little improvement, we need redemption.”
“The good news of the gospel is that what Adam ruined through disobedience, Jesus Christ came to redeem through His perfect obedience, death, and resurrection.”
