The serpent seed doctrine is based on a false interpretation of Genesis. Believers in this doctrine claim that the fall of man was primarily sexual—specifically, that the serpent tempted Eve sexually and that Cain was the offspring of Eve's union with the devil. Is there any reason to believe this interpretation? Genesis 3 gives us the reason for Eve's deception, and tells us why she was tempted. She wanted wisdom, and to be like God. That is what the serpent tempted her with, not sex. Later, we also see that Cain was Adam's son: "Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord'" (Genesis 4:1). This verse very clearly shows that Cain was not the son of the devil.
Teachers of the serpent seed doctrine twist Scripture and deceive people who are unfamiliar with it, and their goal is usually to promote racism, or marginalization of people they happen to dislike. Literally anyone, or any race can be pronounced a "son of Cain" or a "line of Cain." There is no rational basis for this, and no evidence, biblical or otherwise, for such claims. This all stems from a very troubling human tendency to seek division, and to promote an "us v. them" mentality. Although few systems of thought promote this thinking as obviously as serpent seed doctrine, many religions subtly believe and promote the idea that there are "good people" (i.e. those in our church, denomination, belief-system) and "bad people" (i.e. everybody else). This way of looking at our fellow human beings is unscriptural and unhealthy.
The Bible teaches equality very clearly: all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are in need of redemption (Romans 3:22-24). No race or gender or social position is excluded from the death sentence that was brought to the human race through Adam, for "in Adam all die." However, "in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Paul made this even more clear, saying, "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. . . this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4).
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