The Doctrine of Original Sin in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: A Study Based on Haimanot Abew 52:16-18

This study investigates the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s distinctive interpretation of original sin, with particular reference to Haimanot Abew 52:16-18. Contrary to Western Christian doctrines, which often regard original sin as inherited guilt from Adam, the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition emphasises personal moral responsibility and the cultivation of virtue. According to Haimanot Abew, sin is not an inherited defect but arises from the neglect of virtue by the mind. Baptism, therefore, is understood not as the removal of original sin but as a sacrament of spiritual rebirth, divine adoption, and initiation into communion with the Holy Trinity. This theological stance is reflected in the Church’s practice of infant baptism, which welcomes infants into the Church community and prepares them for future spiritual development rather than cleansing inherited guilt. The study draws on biblical texts such as Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 5:12-14, and Sirach 15:16, underscoring the Church’s emphasis on free will, moral agency, and divine justice. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Christology and soteriology affirm that Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection restore humanity’s original potential for communion with God, focusing on transformation through grace rather than inherited corruption. Patristic sources — including St John Chrysostom and Ethiopian theologians such as Abä Giyorgis — are also examined to contextualise the Church’s understanding of original and actual sin. By tracing the historical development of these doctrines, the study highlights the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s unique theological contribution to Christian thought on sin, salvation, and sacramental theology.