[SoothingDave]

The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Clear and to the point. How can you reconcile the plain meaning of this passage with the belief that Jesus's death in some way atoned for the sins of mankind?

Maybe the "himself" is a reference to Jesus. So the righteousness that any of us has is from "himself" and the wickedness was upon "himself."

SD

[Invincibly Ignorant]

The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Isaiah says our righteousness is as filthy rags. So who's Ezekiel referring to as "righteous"?

[malakhi]

Maybe the "himself" is a reference to Jesus. So the righteousness that any of us has is from "himself" and the wickedness was upon "himself."

Well, I'll give you an "A" for creative exegesis, but an "F" for cruel and unusual punishment of a scripture verse. ;o)

There are other passages to consider as well.

But now, if thou wilt forgive their sin -- and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."
But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (Exodus 32:32-33)