Christ's Nature as Sinful or Sinless in the Early Review (1850–1895)

Abstract

Before the mid-1890s, the phrase "sinful nature" was occasionally used in Christological discussions in the Review, mainly in order to reject such an idea. Around that time, however, influential writers adopted the direct terminology of "sinful flesh" for Christ's nature, instead of "likeness of sinful flesh" which had formerly been carefully distinguished from plain "sinful flesh" by J. N. Andrews and even by U. Smith. In the case of E. G. White the new terminology did not imply adopting the idea of sinful propensities in Christ, and in any case a sinful nature for Christ should not be equated with the historical position of SDAs.

Key Words: sinful nature, sinful flesh, Christology, historical Adventism