Christian theology

===Fall of man===
{{Main|Fall of man}}
The fall of man or simply the fall refers in [[Christianity|Christian]] doctrine to the transition of the first humans from a state of innocent obedience to [[God]], to a state of guilty disobedience to God. In the [[Book of Genesis]] chapter 2, [[Adam and Eve]] live at first with God in a [[paradise]], but are then deceived or tempted by the [[Serpent (Bible)|serpent]] to eat [[Forbidden fruit|fruit]] from the [[Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]], which had been forbidden to them by God. After doing so they become ashamed of their nakedness, and God consequently expelled them from [[paradise]]. The fall is not mentioned by name in the [[Bible]], but the story of disobedience and expulsion is recounted in both Testaments in different ways. The Fall can refer to the wider theological inferences for all humankind as a consequence of Eve and Adam's [[original sin]]. Examples include the teachings of [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] in {{Bibleverse|Romans|5:12–19}} and {{Bibleverse|1Cor|15:21–22||1 Cor. 15:21–22}}.

Some [[Christian denominations]] believe the fall corrupted the entire natural world, including human nature, causing people to be born into [[original sin]], a state from which they cannot attain [[Eternal life (Christianity)|eternal life]] without the [[Grace (Christianity)|gracious intervention of God]]. [[Protestants]] hold that [[Jesus]]' death was a [[Atonement (ransom view)|"ransom"]] by which humanity was offered freedom from the sin acquired at the fall. In other religions, such as [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], and [[Gnosticism]], the term "the fall" is not recognized and varying interpretations of the Eden narrative are presented.

[[Christianity]] interprets the fall in a number of ways. Traditional Christian theology accepts the teaching of [[Paul of Tarsus|St Paul]] in his letter to the [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]]<ref>Paul's Epistle to the Romans, chapter 3 verse 23</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Theology is a synthesis on the bible, and so needs theological sources|date=March 2010}} "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and of [[John the Evangelist|St John]]'s [[Gospel]] that "God so loved the world that he sent his only son (Jesus Christ) that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".<ref>{{bibleverse|John|3:16|}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Theology is a synthesis on the bible, and so needs theological sources|date=March 2010}}

The doctrine of [[original sin]], as articulated by [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine of Hippo's]] interpretation of [[Paul of Tarsus]], provides that the fall caused a fundamental change in human nature, so that all descendants of Adam are born in [[sin]], and can only be redeemed by [[Grace (Christianity)|divine grace]]. Sacrifice was the only means by which humanity could be redeemed after the fall. Jesus, who was without sin, died on the [[crucifixion|cross]] as the ultimate redemption for the sin of humankind.