Federalism vs Realism: Charles Hodge, Augustus Strong and William Shedd on the Imputation of Sin

Abstract:   Nineteenth-century Calvinistic theologians in the United States explored both 'federalist' and 'realist' accounts of the transmission of original sin from Adam to his progeny. An examination of the logic of three of these accounts, those of William Shedd, Augustus Strong (who were both realists) and Charles Hodge (who was a federalist), shows that aspects of their views can be defended and yields some helpful pointers towards a realist reconstruction of the doctrine today.