Is original sin irrelevant? 

Please note from the beginning that I carefully didn't ask or assume that original sin wasn't theologically accurate, nor a theological position that has served as a bedrock to much of the (healthy) evangelical tradition of the past several hundred years, as that isn't the point of asking this question nor a debate that will likely get very far in its origins.  Nor do I particularly find much interest or value in maintaining the never-ending struggle to be relevant within culture, and in fact find myself often aligning with Henri Nouwen's belief that the church of our day needs to pursue it's 'irrelevance' (a sense of being sacredly set-apart for a greater purpose and call, that of reflecting the heart of God to a world in need of an accurate sense of who God is).

Rather, this question stems from a discussion that I found myself in a few months ago as I discussed some material regarding the doctrine of original sin (A classic 'proof text' of this theology being found in Romans 5:12: "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned..") with a few young Afrikaner theologians who were well advanced in their studies at the local seminary. I found myself speechless at their response to an article that we were reading that used original sin as a basic foundation to discuss the pathology of moral formation in the heart of all men.  Although they both resonated with the idea that we often create false selves through which flows our sense of identity and mission, and even that this 'disease' permeates many who desire to pastor communities of believers all throughout the world, their conclusion left me shaking my head in confusion.

Essentially, their initial conclusion was that the doctrine of original sin is largely irrelevant as motivation to drive them towards the person of God and the ongoing transformation of their souls before Him. As I stumbled towards a response to this point, I found myself largely speechless in terms of where to take the conversation next.  Honestly, I began to realize at that moment that an inherent sense of guilt that has carried over from original sin has rarely if ever motivated me towards growth and openness with God.  While I continue to stand by the belief that original sin is a true (even core) belief within our faith practice, I wonder if it is time to begin dialogue towards a more healthy vehicle that opens up increasingly postmodern hearts to the person and presence of God in their souls.

And thus, I now ask you: Is original sin irrelevant (particularly as a motivator) to you?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

I look forward to your response...