Systematic Theology (Vol 2) - Hodge - XV - Chapter 8 (Sin) continued

Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 8 (Sin) by reading up to the heading '10. Mediate imputation'.

My summary
This week Hodge continues teaching us about sin.  He now discusses immediate imputation of sin.

Hodge provides:
(i) an overview of other views;
(ii) a statement of the doctrine of immediate imputation;
(iii) the ground of immediate imputation (the union between us and Adam);
(iv) arguments in favour of immediate imputation;
(v) answers to objections.

What grabbed me
Another helpful section. 

I appreciated the point about the link between us and Adam as the grounds for imputation of sin: 'The ground of the imputation of Adam's sin, or the reason why the penalty of his sin has come upon all his posterity, according to the doctrine above stated, is the union between us and Adam. There could of course be no propriety in imputing the sin of one man to another unless there were some connection between them to explain and justify such imputation. The Scriptures never speak of the imputation of the sins of angels either to men or to Christ, or of his righteousness to them ; because there is no such relation between men and angels, or between angels and Christ, as to involve the one in the judicial consequences of the sin or righteousness of the other. The union between Adam and his posterity which is the ground of the imputation of his sin to them, is both natural and federal. He was their natural head. Such is the relation between parent and child, not only in the case of Adam and his descendants, but in all other cases, that the character and conduct of the one, of necessity to a greater or less degree affect the other. No fact in history is plainer than that children bear the iniquities of their fathers. They suffer for their sins. There must be a reason for this ; and a reason founded in the very constitution of our nature. But there was something peculiar in the case of Adam. Over and beyond this natural relation which exists between a man and his posterity, there was a special divine constitution by which he was appointed the head and representative of his whole race. '

A bit hard to affirm the imputation of sin if you deny an historical Adam.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 8 (Sin) by reading up to the heading '12. Realistic theory'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.