Originally the term "man" was not merely referring to an adult male but to humanity in general. The Hebrew word "adam", and the Greek "anthropos" were generic, referring to both sexes. In the Genesis story God "male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:27). The doctrine of original sin is that both male and female sinned and suffered the consequence. We died spiritually (and eventually in the flesh as well). As a result of the "fall" we were driven from the garden of Eden. According to the Psalmist we are all conceived in sin (Psm. 51:5). Apostle Paul wrote, "For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:21-22). To the Ephesians he wrote "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:1-2). Today some will argue that there is no sin gene therefore this inherited problem cannot be true. This is a spiritual problem however not a genetic one "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Muslims argue from the same view, they say that everyone was born Muslim (without sin) and fell away. Anyone who has had to deal with a two year old will recognize the selfish nature of an infant. If he were born with the strength of a 200 pound adult he would be uncontrollably destructive and deadly to everyone around him. Fortunately the child learns through discipline to restrain himself as he grows into his or her self. Yet that sinful nature is always lying hidden inside. We see a glimpse of it as anarchists tear up our cities. Jeremiah the prophet wrote, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jere. 16:9).
There is a heresy that often arises among evangelists that is called Pelagianism. It is named after a British monk around 400 AD. His theology it appears arose from a desire for holy piety calling men to be accountable for their own sins and not blame some inherent problem of Adam. Charles Finney was one who we would label a Pelagian though he bore much positive fruit for the kingdom of God. During the time of Pelagius, Augustine argued from a different perspective which has brought about other extremes that have come down to us in the form of Calvinism.
Another twisted view of the fall of man is promoted by the Mormon church. They claim that by eating the forbidden fruit man fell upward and became like God knowing good and evil. And this they consider a good thing. However, we call it a curse, which got us driven out of the garden.
