The Doctrine of Original Sin in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: A Study Based on Haimanot Abew 52:16-18

This study examines the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s distinct interpretation of original sin, particularly focusing on Haimanot Abew Chapter 52:16-18. Unlike Western Christian views that treat original sin as an inherited guilt from Adam, the Ethiopian Orthodox Trwahido Church emphasizes personal moral responsibility and the cultivation of virtue. According to Haimanot Abew, sin is not an inherent flaw passed down through generations but rather a result of the mind’s neglect of virtue. In this framework, baptism is understood not as a means of removing original sin, but as a sacrament of spiritual rebirth, divine adoption, and initiation into communion with the Holy Trinity. The Church’s perspective on infant baptism reflects this theological stance: infants are baptized not to cleanse inherited guilt but to welcome them into the Church and prepare them for future spiritual growth.

This paper also draws on biblical texts such as Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 5:12-14, and Sirach 15:16, which highlight the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church’s emphasis on free will, moral agency, and divine justice. The Church’s Christology and soteriology affirm that Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection restore humanity’s original potential for communion with God, focusing on transformation through grace rather than inherited corruption. Additionally, the study incorporates patristic sources, including St. John Chrysostom and Ethiopian theologians like Abä Giyorgis, to contextualize the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church’s understanding of original and actual sin. By exploring the historical development of these doctrines, the study underscores the Church’s unique theological contribution to Christian thought on sin, salvation, and sacramental theology.

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