18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
There is a fairly new genetic field called epigenetics, where scientists have discovered how certain events in the life of one generation can affect the genetic coding of generations to follow. For example, a traumatic event like a famine in one generation can actually cause genetic alterations in the bloodstream of not only the generation which endured the famine, but also the bloodstream of their unborn children and their children's children. This is the reason scientists speculate certain traumatic events in one generation can have lasting consequences such as the development of psychological disorders like schizophrenia in not only the generation which endured the trauma but also generations to come.
When Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of the Garden it was a traumatic event of universal significance. Every generation has since been affected by the tragic decisions of the couple and the resulting consequences. This primordial event literally altered life for all generations to come. This is the concept now of original sin -- no one of us is born now without the genetic memory of what it meant to sin and know that we are naked and ashamed. One generation's decision has affected all other generations to follow -- even down into our genes.
And yet, while this logic of solidarity is true from generation to generation, it is not always tragic or even altogether negative. We are not only trapped by the loved which befell other generations. We can also be freed by them as well. One generation's adaptation or ability to overcome can also affect generations to follow. Just as the genetic bloodstream can be negatively altered so also is their a possibility for positive alteration as well. For example, one generation's ability to overcome certain traumas and tragedies and provide stability can in fact not only change the environment their children will be raised in, but even effect their genetic makeup. For example, a person suffering with PTSD who gets help early and stabilizes may be less likely to have children who suffer from psychological disorders as well.
In other words, in Biblical language, there is hope; and we have the power to overturn generational curses.
"For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous," Paul writes. This is the heart of his idea of how we -- all humanity -- were first cursed but then atoned for. One generation may have indeed cursed us -- even in our blood; but another had the power to bless and redeem.
This is the good news of salvation. We are not altogether imprisoned by the sins of our fathers. For we have also been set free my the righteousness of our brother.
Thanks be to God.
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