Luther’s variation makes sense because – after the loss of the Paleolithic Lebenswelt, there is no turning back.  An intellect and will honed by evolution within the framework of hand-talk – where words mean what they refer to – now operates in the framework of speech-alone talk – where reference comes from the placement of the word in a system of differences.  Now, reference is always constructed.  Yet, we feel that words refer to what already exists.  From this perspective, our intellect and will are “mechanically” flawed.

“Concupiscence” consists in “acts of unbelief” (in a sinful world constructed on symbolic orders of our own choosing) situating “human faculties that are ‘of nature’” (that have no clue because they are constantly operating as if the Lebenswelt of hand-speech talk were still pertinent).

In short, humanity is totally depraved.

We are always trying to turn back, to recapture the Lebenswelt in which we evolved, by formulating systems that will allows us to “Be Born Again”.  These formulations offer the promise of a return to a world where we all belong, where we all believe, where uncertainty and risk is shared by all, where each gets according to her needs, where each gives according to her abilities, where each person knows what to do and why she is here, where everyone’s voice has importance, where differences are perceived as commonalities, and so on and so on.

Does that not sound modern?

Luther’s descriptions Original Sin, to me, amazingly capture the “sensibilities” of modern ideologues.  Some of these ideologues did not grasp for sovereign power, forming communities that were separatist and later, trapped in the time in which they were formed, like the Amish and the Hippies.  Some of these ideologues grasped for sovereign power, in order to facilitate the Baptism – the Baptism of Blood – of the new social order.

The modern era encompasses the invention of new ways of talking.  As a result, almost all cultures and civilizations have been Born Again, either by withdrawal or by blood.   In this way, Modernism itself re-enacts this weird parallel between the transition to speech-alone talk and the concept of Original Sin.

Luther’s definitions even capture the topsy turvy character of Modernity .   For example, the idea of “acts of unbelief” has mutated into “acts of exploitation” among other variations.

Various Modernisms detached Luther’s variation of Original Sin from its moorings in Christianity and, in doing so, literally brought his definitions to life.  All aspects of his formalism have been re-interpreted in vain attempts to return to the Source.

Luther’s variation on Original Sin was:

Need to be Born Again(acts of unbelief(flawed faculties “of nature”)

Modernism converted this to, among other variants:

Need for Proletarians to Unite so Society may be Born Again(acts of exploitation(flawed nature of the exploitative bourgeoisie)