2. Sin and Morality

3. Sin is the Harming or Breaking of Relationships
What is sin?
Acting contrary to our conscience
Purposely choosing to do wrong
Intentionally turning away from God
Draw a symbol/image of sin in your NB
Which images are most common?
Which are appropriate?
Which are unusual or not expected?

4. Sin in Scripture Missing the mark Hardness of heart
Hamartia (e.g. when an archer does not hit the bull’s eye)
We aim for life with God
Since God is love, sin is a failure to love.
Hardness of heart
Bodily image – “hard-hearted” or “stiff-necked”
In biblical terms, heart means your whole being (our attitudes, behavior, and actions)

5. Sin in Christian Tradition
If we lose our sense of sin, we eliminate accountability for our decisions.
Without a sense of sin any choices that we make are valueless.
The essential message about sin is that…
… Christ conquered sin through his death and resurrection.

6. Distinguishing Among Sins
Original sin – the human inclination toward evil; we are constantly in a battle between good and evil
Confession before whole community – early Church
Private confession – Irish monks in 600s

7. Distinguishing Among Sins
Mortal sin – complete rejection of God
Venial sin – action that turns us away from God in small degrees
Sin of commission – doing something wrong
Sin of omission – not doing an action that is called for
What are some examples of each???

8. A Gospel-based Perspective on Sin
Sin is a breaking down of relationships, rather than the breaking of a law
Stress on doing the positive
Focus on overall life patterns as well as individual act
Sin is against God and our neighbors
Sin has a social dimension

9. Social Sin the sin that exists within a society
Sinful social structures – ways societies are structured resulting in unjust distribution of power, benefits, and privileges
Examples: racism, sexism, classism, ageism
Complete “Activity O” on p. 115 (10 pts)