Fall

The teaching that humanity originally started off in God's good books, but then ‘fell' from favour. The concept of the fall is drawn from the story of Adam and Eve's temptation and disobedience in the garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 3). The sin in Eden has been variously interpreted as pride, self-determination and even as a sexual sin. The idea was later developed within Christian thought by the influential theologian Augustine.

The concept is also closely linked to the teaching of original sin and the need for salvation for humanity (understood to be provided by Jesus). Some modern scholars reject the traditional interpretation of the fall and have attempted to recast the meaning of the Genesis story. Drawing upon anthropological and sociological studies, they rather see the story as offering real insights into the human condition and the common experience of sin.