(Note: the blue horizontal menu bar directly above lists the subsections of "Original Sin in the Bible as Read Today." Beginning with "Acceptance of Evolution by Pope John Paul II," be sure to read each of these subsections before moving on to the next primary section, "New Interpretation of Original Sin.")

Concupiscence

Bodensieck (1965) defines "concupiscence" as follows:

Concupiscence designates man's egocentricity before God. Under the influence of Augustine, and operating with an unbiblical psychological dualism, the Middle Ages interpreted concupiscence in predominantly sensual and sometimes sexual terms. Luther, seeking to reassert the essential goodness of creation, interpreted concupiscence as man's self will, his being incurvatus in se ["turned in on himself"]…. It is not primarily or essentially sensuality, but is man's selfish and evil will which seeks itself even in God's presence (2176).

A related concept, "depravity," is:

… a term which seeks strong expression of sin's binding and blinding power upon man. Sin is not merely a minor ailment but one which fundamentally distorts human life. It leaves man in a situation from which he cannot rescue himself. The defenders of this position (e.g., M. Flacius, quod vide) have sometimes been insufficiently dialectical and have expressed themselves too one-sidedly giving the impression that sin has destroyed man's essential humanity. This is a distortion of the biblical view, understating man's dignity and overstating his tragedy (2176).