{
  "id": "dict_005863",
  "term": "Universality of Sin",
  "slug": "universality-of-sin",
  "letter": "U",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The universality of sin is the biblical truth that all people are sinners before God. Apart from Jesus Christ, every human being has sinned and falls short of God’s standard.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "The universality of sin means that sin affects the whole human race. Scripture teaches that all people are under sin and stand in need of God’s mercy and salvation. This doctrine does not deny differences in outward behavior, but it does affirm that no one is righteous before God by his or her own merit.",
  "description_academic_full": "The universality of sin is the doctrine that sin extends to all humanity: every person, descending from Adam in the ordinary course of human generation, is a sinner by nature and by act, and therefore stands guilty before God and in need of redemption. Scripture repeatedly teaches that “all have sinned” and that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, while also making clear that Jesus Christ alone is without sin. This truth does not mean every person is as wicked as possible, nor that all sins are equal in their earthly effects; rather, it means that no human being is morally pure or able to attain righteousness before God through personal goodness. In conservative evangelical theology, the universality of sin is foundational for understanding human fallenness, the necessity of grace, and the saving work of Christ.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "The universality of sin is the biblical truth that all people are sinners before God. Apart from Jesus Christ, every human being has sinned and falls short of God’s standard.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/universality-of-sin/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/universality-of-sin.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}