Sin and MoralitySin and Morality

Sin is the Harming orSin is the Harming orBreaking of RelationshipsBreaking of Relationships

What is sin?What is sin? Acting contrary to our conscienceActing contrary to our conscience Purposely choosing to do wrongPurposely choosing to do wrong Intentionally turning away from GodIntentionally turning away from God

Draw a symbol/image of sin in Draw a symbol/image of sin in your NByour NB Which images are most common?Which images are most common? Which are appropriate?Which are appropriate? Which are unusual or not expected?Which are unusual or not expected?

Sin in ScriptureSin in Scripture

Missing the markMissing the mark HamartiaHamartia (e.g. when an (e.g. when an

archer does not hit the bull’s archer does not hit the bull’s eye)eye)

We aim for life with GodWe aim for life with God Since God is love, sin is a Since God is love, sin is a

failure to love.failure to love.

Hardness of heartHardness of heart Bodily image – “hard-hearted” or “stiff-Bodily image – “hard-hearted” or “stiff-

necked”necked” In biblical terms, heart means your whole In biblical terms, heart means your whole

being (our attitudes, behavior, and being (our attitudes, behavior, and actions)actions)

Sin in Christian Sin in Christian Tradition Tradition

If we lose our sense of sin, we If we lose our sense of sin, we eliminate accountability for our eliminate accountability for our decisions.decisions.

Without a sense of sin any choices Without a sense of sin any choices that we make are valueless.that we make are valueless.

The essential message about sin is The essential message about sin is that…that…

… … Christ conquered sinChrist conquered sin through his through his death and resurrection.death and resurrection.

Distinguishing Among Distinguishing Among SinsSins

Original sinOriginal sin – the – the human inclination human inclination toward evil; we are toward evil; we are constantly in a constantly in a battle between good battle between good and eviland evil

Confession before Confession before whole community – whole community – early Churchearly Church

Private confession – Private confession – Irish monks in 600sIrish monks in 600s

Distinguishing Among Distinguishing Among SinsSins

Mortal sinMortal sin – complete rejection of God – complete rejection of God Venial sinVenial sin – action that turns us away – action that turns us away

from God in small degreesfrom God in small degrees Sin of commissionSin of commission – doing something – doing something

wrongwrong Sin of omissionSin of omission – not doing an action – not doing an action

that is called forthat is called for What are some examples of each???What are some examples of each???

A Gospel-based Perspective A Gospel-based Perspective on Sinon Sin

Sin is a breaking down of Sin is a breaking down of relationships, rather than the relationships, rather than the breaking of a lawbreaking of a law

Stress on doing the positiveStress on doing the positive Focus on overall life patterns as well Focus on overall life patterns as well

as individual actas individual act Sin is against God Sin is against God andand our neighbors our neighbors Sin has a social dimensionSin has a social dimension

Social SinSocial Sin

the sin that exists within a societythe sin that exists within a society Sinful social structuresSinful social structures – ways – ways

societies are structured resulting in societies are structured resulting in unjust distribution of power, benefits, unjust distribution of power, benefits, and privilegesand privileges

Examples: racism, sexism, classism, Examples: racism, sexism, classism, ageismageism

Complete “Activity O” on p. 115 (10 Complete “Activity O” on p. 115 (10 pts)pts)