Introduction
The relationship between human solidarity and sin is a rather interesting one to look at. There are complications that arise in attempting to understand it, such as figuring out just how much it plays a role in our personal sin, or how other cultures affect each other. Some of the questions and answers given when speaking of this topic are just speculation – we will never know for certain. However, today we will discuss what we can deduce from our sources of systematic theology.
Human Solidarity
What is it?
John Donne, a 17th century poet, is quoted as saying, “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”[1] This is a poetical statement of a strikingly true fact – we do not live our lives in isolation. Humanity has societies and cultures that everyone belongs to, and those who belong to them are influenced by them greatly. We are greatly affected by each other’s lives, even when it truly has nothing to do with us.
Think on this: if your mother dies (and you had a good relationship with her), you will be incredibly sad and heartbroken. That makes sense, as you are now living without someone who has always been there for you your entire life. However, think on this: when your friend’s mother dies, you will be sad, and your heart will ache. Why? You might not have even known their mother. Yet somehow you developed a personal connection with her solely through her child; so, your heart aches for your friend’s loss and (even slightly) for your own. That is an example of human solidarity.
What are its effects on us?
If you go search for the effects of solidarity, you will find organizations such as the United Nations have created entire days dedicated to celebrating human solidarity.[2] In the introduction of their website, they explain it in this way, “[It] is centered on people & planet, underpinned by human rights and supported by a global partnership determined to lift people out of poverty, hunger and disease. It will, thus, be built on a foundation of global cooperation and solidarity.”[3] That is a rather positive view of solidarity, and they are not wrong. We can use the unity of humanity to make good things happen in the world and, historically speaking, we have.
That being said, there is also an unneglectable negative effect of solidarity. Just as we influence each other with love for others, we also are influenced by each other’s hatred; and just as we can come together to support and lift up minorities, we can also come together to abuse and oppress them. As wonderful as it may be to talk about the ruffles and rainbows of solidarity, today we are talking about its effect in tandem with sin.
Original Sin
Augustine
Saint Augustine was a Christian theologian and philosopher in the 4th century. His position on human solidarity and sin went on one extreme of the spectrum. The doctrine of imago Dei is the clear biblical teaching that humanity was made in the image of God.[4] Augustine believed that this image became so damaged in the fall that humanity can no longer choose anything righteous; humans can only ever choose evil. To gap the bridge between being unable to choose right and needing to choose right to become saved, Augustine leaned into predestination.[5] Predestination is the belief that God elects certain people above others and chooses salvation for them on their behalf.
Pelagius
The monk Pelagius was a Christian theologian in the 4th century. His position on human solidarity and sin differed greatly from Augustine’s, with Pelagius on the polar opposite side of the spectrum. He taught that Adam’s sin had no meaningful impact on us, other than that he, as the first man, did not live up to the image he was supposed to and left us with a bad example to follow.[6] He believed that the freedom given to us by God remains the same as it always has, and that we naturally accept God’s grace without hinderance.
Lodahl
Michael Lodahl discusses this very issue in his book, The Story of God. In his chapter on human solidarity, he says,
“What each of us says, does, and thinks profoundly impacts and influences those around us, and they deeply influence those around them, ad infinitum… no one comes into this world with a clean slate, precisely because the world into which we come is already a history filled with sin, manifested in war, bloodshed, slavery, abuse, torture, fear, and a thousand other nightmares.”[7]
Lodahl believes that there is a middle ground to be taken between the stances of Augustine and Pelagius. Unlike Augustine, he believes that we are influenced by each other for good and for bad, and not everything is predestined for us – we still hold responsibility for our actions. Unlike Pelagius, he believes that the traditions and behaviors of generations past impact who we are today. Considering our sources and evidence, Lodahl’s position seems to be the most accurate of the three.
Conclusion
Human solidarity is a fact of life, and it always has been. God created us to be relational beings and even said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”[8] Humans have such a strong influence on each other; when Eve sinned, Adam followed her without a fight. So when Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity became poisoned with sin. That does not mean, however, that we are doomed. We can still be saved and sanctified by the Holy Spirit and live in such a way that our holiness will positively influence the world around us.
Bibliography
Dunning, H. Ray. Grace, Faith, & Holiness. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1988.
“International Human Solidarity Day.” United Nations. United Nations. Accessed May 3, 2020. https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-solidarity-day.
Lodahl, Michael. Story of God: a Narrative Theology. Place of publication not identified: Beacon Hill Press, 2010.
“No Man Is an Island – A Selection from the Prose Quotes by John Donne.” Goodreads. Goodreads. Accessed May 3, 2020. https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6791114-no-man-is-an-island.
[1] “No Man Is an Island – A Selection from the Prose Quotes by John Donne,” Goodreads (Goodreads), accessed May 3, 2020, https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6791114-no-man-is-an-island).
[2] “International Human Solidarity Day,” United Nations (United Nations), accessed May 3, 2020, https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-solidarity-day).
[3] Ibid.
[4] H. Ray Dunning, Grace, Faith, & Holiness (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1988)).
[5] Michael Lodahl, Story of God: a Narrative Theology (Place of publication not identified: Beacon Hill Press, 2010)).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Genesis 2:18 (NIV).