Methodist theology affirms original sin as an inherited condition of moral corruption and guilt affecting all humans since Adam's Fall. The Methodist Articles of Religion (Article VII) define original sin as 'the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam,' including both the absence of original righteousness and positive inclination to evil. This is consistent with the Augustinian Western tradition and aligns with the Anglican Article IX from which it is derived.

A distinctive Wesleyan contribution is the doctrine of prevenient grace (literally, 'grace that goes before'): God has given to all people, through Christ's atoning work, a measure of grace that counteracts the effects of original sin sufficiently to restore moral responsibility and enable response to the Gospel. This prevenient grace explains why all humans are not simply hopeless slaves to sin — God has reached into every person's life. This does not remove original sin or restore original righteousness, but it restores real freedom to respond to the offer of salvation.