No, I do not believe that man is born spiritually dead. Spiritual death is the result of sin. Romans 5:12 specifically says that our death comes the same way Adam's did (through sin -- ours, Adam did not inherit any sin) and Ezekiel 18 explains it in detail and at length: "The soul who sins will die."
In Romans 7:9, Paul tells how this worked in his own life: "Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. "
Paul says he was once alive apart from the law.
Then, please explain to me why I should not regard your belief as Pelagain heresy?
As to your reading of Romans 5:12, explain to me how sin was in the world before the giving of the law. How could a righteous God condemn a man to death for a crime he didn't commit?
I do not believe 'soul' life begins until after birth, when God gives it at birth with the breath of life (Gen.2:7) (there is ofcourse,before that physical life). When an infant dies, he goes to heaven since he is under the blood (Rom.5:18) and hasn't said no to the free gift (Jn.16:9). See 2Sam.12:23. - fortheDeclarationOh, does this quote (found here) from ftd offend you? Is ftd even wrong?
And while you are thinking on these things, please explain to me how a baby can go astray from birth, speaking lies if he is not born with a sin nature?
I'm beginning to see why you don't like Calvinism....
Paul says he was once alive apart from the law.
I have pointed out in the past that this passage also proves, if the Calvinists are right, that Paul was dead three times.
Hank