Quora Answer: Why is It Our Fault That We Sin?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Why is it our fault that we sin?” 

This question actually comes back to free will versus Divine Omniscience from a Christian perspective.  Instead of going into the details of every major Christian denomination, this is a general position based primarily on Thomas Aquinas and Augustinian theodicy, but greatly simplified. 

Firstly, Divine Foreknowledge does not mean free will is absent.  It only means that God Knows what is going to happen before it happens.  And that is why there is a Divine Plan. 

Secondly, perfection in Creation refers to Divine Sustenance and Gifts.  Whatever we have is Decreed Perfectly for us and us alone.  Whatever is withheld, something else is Given.  That does not mean we are aware of it, or that we utilise it correctly. 

Finally, Divine Judgement is based on what we are Given, and how we have utilised them in the Divine Plan.  There is no accounting for what we do not have.  So, Judgment Day is where the Divine Will is Manifest.  Since all actions are part of the Divine Plan, whether success or failure, we are called to Account only for the intent, not the action.