I believe in sin. So what?
In this series I am identifying some core beliefs I have as a Christian and asking the question: so what? This ultimately is about worldviews and belief systems. Does it make a difference in how we live our lives, how we understand our existence, our hopes and fears if we hold one belief versus a contrasting one? Here we ask if believing in sin makes a difference in our lives.
I believe in the reality of sin. So what? I will suggest two things in this post. First, is that the physicalist belief systems held by so many in the Western world today do not, and cannot, accept the idea of sin. And second, that the belief in sin is very important, if not core, to our functioning with each other and within society.
Defining sin
Sin generally refers to rebelling against or violating God’s will. Immediately we see the problem. To believe in sin in this definition one must believe not only in God as an all powerful being and the very source of being, but this Being must have certain properties and qualities. These include personhood, and awareness of individual human actions, hearts and minds. God must have concern about humans and what they do. This God must have will or intention, and a moral foundation. In fact, THE moral foundation. That means, or course, if one does not believe in such a God, one cannot believe in sin.
