<P> The concept of original sin was first alluded to in the 2nd century by Irenaeus , Bishop of Lyon in his controversy with certain dualist Gnostics . Other church fathers such as Augustine also developed the doctrine , seeing it as based on the New Testament teaching of Paul the Apostle ( Romans 5 : 12 -- 21 and 1 Corinthians 15 : 22 ) and the Old Testament verse of Psalms 51 : 5 . Tertullian , Cyprian , Ambrose and Ambrosiaster considered that humanity shares in Adam 's sin , transmitted by human generation . Augustine 's formulation of original sin was popular among Protestant reformers , such as Martin Luther and John Calvin , who equated original sin with concupiscence ( or `` hurtful desire '' ) , affirming that it persisted even after baptism and completely destroyed freedom . The Jansenist movement , which the Catholic Church declared to be heretical , also maintained that original sin destroyed freedom of will . </P>
<P> The concept of original sin was first alluded to in the 2nd century by Irenaeus , Bishop of Lyon in his controversy with certain dualist Gnostics . Other church fathers such as Augustine also developed the doctrine , seeing it as based on the New Testament teaching of Paul the Apostle ( Romans 5 : 12 -- 21 and 1 Corinthians 15 : 22 ) and the Old Testament verse of Psalms 51 : 5 . Tertullian , Cyprian , Ambrose and Ambrosiaster considered that humanity shares in Adam 's sin , transmitted by human generation . Augustine 's formulation of original sin was popular among Protestant reformers , such as Martin Luther and John Calvin , who equated original sin with concupiscence ( or `` hurtful desire '' ) , affirming that it persisted even after baptism and completely destroyed freedom . The Jansenist movement , which the Catholic Church declared to be heretical , also maintained that original sin destroyed freedom of will . </P>
when did the concept of original sin begin
when did the concept of original sin begin
the 2nd century
the 2nd century