A Consideration of Original Sin

The doctrine of original sin considers how every human being is born with an unnaturally natural bent to selfishness and sin. (By this I mean that it wasn't always and will not always be this way; being human only entails this sin nature in our current state of unrighteousness, or imperfect righteousness. So, Adam and Eve would not have had this sin nature pre-Fall.)

I believe that all humans are born into sin and that the sin nature is relationally constructed. That is, I believe both that babies will be selfish, no matter how sanctified their parents, siblings, etc., and I also believe that this bent is relationally constructed. How is this the case?

It is indubitable that human genetics impact who we are. It is also indubitable that humans are more than their genetics and that genetics can change over time. Human relationships, falling short of perfection, required certain levels of selfishness from their participants for survival. Over time, this selfishness literally became ingrained and bred into the genetics of offspring. So, original sin is both genetic and relational. But that's just a temporary opinion. I'm sure my mind could be changed on it.

What does it matter? It matters in that modeling healthier and more loving relationships for children limits the amount of effect original sin may have on them. It also means that your grandchildren may be slightly less selfish if your kids suffer less from this virus of sin.