Sin

Gen 4:1-16 Cain and Abel- Sin grows Why did Cain kill Abel? Jealousy? Conflict between herdsmen and farmers? Punishment- Exile- expulsion from the tribe As people break faith with God so also with each other. Sin alienates Person from God- Hiding Person from self- Shame Person from nature- Suffering and death Person from person- Murder and blaming

Sin and Reconciliation Problem of Evil If there is a good and omnipotent God why is there evil and suffering in the world? Pervasiveness of sin Universal experience Small and large matters Communal Cumulative

Images from SS Missing the mark- Image of an archer Sin is seen as anything that is a deviation from our goal- God Not only are the big obvious things sins (murder, adultery, etc.) but anything that turns us from God. St. Francis- Sin is a failure to Love

Hardness of Heart- Ez 36 Sin is not only in our actions but also our attitudes- Mt 5 Being a selfish, loveless, or unfeeling to the needs of others can be a sin. 7 capital sins (Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony and Lust) are not actions but attitudes

Karl Menninger (Psychologist) What Ever Became of Sin? Without an idea of sin we lose a sense of values in what we think and do With no sense of wrong there is no right and no purpose to actions Limits moral growth if there is no sin to overcome

2 kinds of sin Original Effect of Adam and Eve (Monogenism or polygenism) Inherited through generation (not learned) Removed at baptism Effects remain Concupiscence Suffering and death Separation

Basic teachings on Baptism Original Sin (Trent- Church council 16th C) Man was created in justice and holiness Through an abuse of free choice (sin), we lost this justice and holiness We were changed for the worse body and soul- death (physical and spiritual)

3. Passed on by propogation not imitation- universal 2. This sin (not just punishment) is passed on to descendants 3. Passed on by propogation not imitation- universal -Even infants have O.S. - Only remedy is Christ’s redemptive act -Accessed through baptism- Act of Faith 4. Because infants have original sin they are to be baptized

5. Through baptism the sin is removed but not all of the effects Concupiscence remains- tendency to sin Distortion of reason Debilitation of the will Original sin is contracted not committed A state not an act Part of human nature Not a total corruption but a woundedness and an inclination to sin Monogenism or polygenism? Doesn’t matter for original sin. We still need redemption

Personal sin (actual sin) Mortal Sin (Latin mors=death) 3 requirements Grave matter Full knowledge Full consent If a requirement is missing it is either a venial sin or not a sin at all. While we can destroy our relationship with God through one act, more often we build it up of tear it down over time Can involve actions or omissions

Sin in the Christian Tradition Paul- Awareness of the tendency to sin Romans 7:14-19 Concupiscence By having an awareness of his weaknesses he can hope to overcome them Why the Church points out sin Paul connects sin and law (commandments).

Has sin changed today? Sin hasn’t but the way we view it has View sin in terms of relationship -Rather than law -With God, self and others See it in terms of positive morality rather than negative. - Instead of a list of prohibitions we look to see if a principle is missing in an action or omission. Concerned with being over doing. More difficult

3. Focus on persons -No action is done in isolation -What were the underlying attitudes and motivations? 4. Emphasize sin as against God in our neighbor (horizontal perspective of sin) -We often hurt our relationship with God most when we sin against those around us.

5. Social dimensions of sin All sin is social in that it effects others but there are social mentalities and institutions that are sinful No one person is responsible but all share in the responsibility As long as you are part of the society How much do you encourage or support it?

Social Sin 1. Social behavior patterns that encourage or support sin Teen violence- supported by ? Easy access to weapons? Media? Games? Music? Etc? 2. Societal Values that cause sin Individualism, Consumerism, hedonism, etc. Values contrary to Christian ones By their nature are harmful and sinful

3. Sinful Social Structures Unfair tax system, legal system, class structure The structures are created that treat people unfairly. (Sexist, Racist, etc.) Create a society that is inherently unfair or immoral

Sin in the Christian Message Gospel perspective Forgiveness- Jesus shows his power over sin by forgiving it Healing miracles We are aware of sin but we don’t let it stop us from doing good With God’s help we can overcome it.

Jesus is our redeemer and liberator Redemption= To set free (image of a slave) Our relationship with God is restored Jesus in his death and resurrection showed that sin and death can be overcome While it is personal, it isn’t individualistic Seen in terms of community We are free to do good Active not passive

Shame and Guilt Guilt- A healthy awareness of the evil we do. Helps us uncover and overcome our weaknesses See that I made a mistake Shame- A self-destructive attitude of self loathing I am a mistake