Fall of man

If sin may be defined as "separation from God" (Paul Tillich), then the fall of man as described in Genesis is the separation of mankind from God due to disobedience or to exercise of free will. This separation is inherent in man from birth and divides him from God, from other men and from himself. In these terms, human development may be seen as the attempt by man to return to unity with God, to overcome the split in his own personality part of which seems to lead him to self destruction. To the Christian, this split may be overcome by the acceptance of God's grace.