Difference between revisions of "Sin"
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== Meaning of sin == | == Meaning of sin == | ||
− | The root meaning of the [[English]] word ''sin'' is actually, "He is guilty as charged." This in turn implies that the person committing the offense knew, or ought to have known, that his act would ''be'' an offense before he committed it | + | The root meaning of the [[English]] word ''sin'' is actually, "He is guilty as charged." This in turn implies that the person committing the offense knew, or ought to have known, that his act would ''be'' an offense before he committed it. |
− | The [[Greek]] word used in the original [[New Testament]] and translated "sin" in English is '''ἁμαρτία''' (''hamartia'') (whence ''[[hamartoma]]'' a malformation of [[cell]]s that are within their usual place in the body). This word captures the | + | The [[Greek]] word used in the original [[New Testament]] and translated "sin" in English is '''ἁμαρτία''' (''hamartia'') (whence ''[[hamartoma]]'' a malformation of [[cell]]s that are within their usual place in the body). This word perhaps captures the meaning of sin much better. ''Hamartia'' means ''missing a target.'' Thus sin does not require bad intentions, but might result from a misunderstanding. This is not to say that the consequences are any less dire, however. It does mean that sin need not be intentional; it can be a knowing (but not intentional), reckless, or negligent act. |
=== Required: a moral context === | === Required: a moral context === | ||
− | Sin, which is a moral failure, cannot exist in the absence of a code of [[morality]]. [[Objectivism]] defines morality as "a code of values accepted by choice." | + | Sin, which is a moral failure, cannot exist in the absence of a code of [[morality]]. [[Objectivism]] defines morality as "a code of values accepted by choice." Even a code of morality given by [[God]] qualifies as a code "accepted by choice," because human beings ''choose'' to abide by such a code, or not. |
This is not to say that sin requires a context of ''divinity.'' Objectivism, for example, refuses to admit [[God]], while still prescribing a standard of value and a code of morality that follows from it. (Whether such a code can properly stand, by the rules of Objectivism itself, is another matter.) The context in which sin ceases to have meaning is not [[atheism]] ''per se'' but rather [[amoralism]]--the doctrine that says that no person may properly define what is moral for another, because no two people will ever value the same thing to the same degree, or value the same collection of things by the same rank structure. | This is not to say that sin requires a context of ''divinity.'' Objectivism, for example, refuses to admit [[God]], while still prescribing a standard of value and a code of morality that follows from it. (Whether such a code can properly stand, by the rules of Objectivism itself, is another matter.) The context in which sin ceases to have meaning is not [[atheism]] ''per se'' but rather [[amoralism]]--the doctrine that says that no person may properly define what is moral for another, because no two people will ever value the same thing to the same degree, or value the same collection of things by the same rank structure. | ||
− | Whether any man ''ever'' lives without some form of moral code--even if that code is, "I denounce as sin any disagreement with myself or any attempt to stand in my way"--is | + | Whether any man ''ever'' lives without some form of moral code--even if that code is, "I denounce as sin any disagreement with myself or any attempt to stand in my way"--is debatable. Nevertheless, without ''some'' form of moral context, sin has no meaning. |
== Differing views of sin == | == Differing views of sin == | ||
==== Jewish ==== | ==== Jewish ==== | ||
− | In [[Judaism]], and certainly in ancient practice, | + | In [[Judaism]], and certainly in ancient practice, sin required atonement by [[blood sacrifice]]. The Book of [[Leviticus]] prescribed multiple animal sacrifices for atonement for various types of sin. But by far the most important atonement--on the [[Day of Atonement]] (''Yowm Kippur'')--was made by the high priest of the [[Hebrew]] people (originally [[Aaron]], brother of [[Moses]]). This involved making a blood sacrifice, entering the [[Holy of Holies]] (in [[Latin]], ''sanctum sanctorum''), and sprinkling some of the blood from the sacrifice on the [[Ark of the Covenant]]. |
Animal sacrifice has not been part of Jewish practice since the destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] by the future [[Rome|Roman]] [[Emperor]] [[Titus]] in [[70 AD]]. But the [[Old Testament]] did not imply that animal sacrifice was the sole ''necessary'' measure for reconciliation. Simple repentance and prayer sufficed numerous times in [[Bible]] history. | Animal sacrifice has not been part of Jewish practice since the destruction of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] by the future [[Rome|Roman]] [[Emperor]] [[Titus]] in [[70 AD]]. But the [[Old Testament]] did not imply that animal sacrifice was the sole ''necessary'' measure for reconciliation. Simple repentance and prayer sufficed numerous times in [[Bible]] history. | ||
− | Today, though animal sacrifices are no longer observed, Jews do observe '' | + | Today, though animal sacrifices are no longer observed, Jews do observe ''Yowm Kippur'' and other festivals related to repentance and reconciliation. But a movement now exists to attempt to regain exclusive control of the [[Temple Mount]] area in [[Jerusalem]], rebuild the Temple, and resume the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings prescribed in the [[Torah]]. |
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=== Christian views === | === Christian views === | ||
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===== Virgin Mary ===== | ===== Virgin Mary ===== | ||
− | Roman Catholic doctrine holds that not only was [[Jesus]] sinless, but so, also, was His Mother, [[Virgin Mary|Mary]]. | + | Roman Catholic doctrine holds that not only was [[Jesus]] sinless, but so, also, was His Mother, [[Virgin Mary|Mary]]. This doctrine, called ''Marianism'', is not ''universally'' held by all Catholics, however. |
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− | This doctrine, called ''Marianism'', is not ''universally'' held by all Catholics, however. | + | |
==== Anglican Communion ==== | ==== Anglican Communion ==== | ||
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==== Eastern and Oriental Orthodox ==== | ==== Eastern and Oriental Orthodox ==== | ||
− | + | The Orthodox churches, including [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]], [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]], and [[Oriental Orthodox Church|Oriental Orthodox]], differ little from [[Judaism]] in their holding of what sin is and how to reconcile it--except that animal sacrifices have never been part of Orthodox tradition. | |
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==== The Reformation ==== | ==== The Reformation ==== | ||
− | + | [[Martin Luther]] led the most serious break from Roman Catholic doctrine and tradition, at about the time that King [[Henry VIII]], then of the [[Kingdom of England]], formed the Church of England, the forerunner of the Anglican Communion. Luther is most famous for his "nine precepts nailed to the church-house door." The most important of these is the principle that he stated in Latin as ''Sola Scriptura''--literally, "Scripture only." Luther rejected out-of-hand most of the various categories of sin, and the elaborate rituals that attended its so-called reconciliation. | |
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− | Luther is most famous for his " | + | |
To Luther, and to his intellectual heirs in the [[Lutheran Church]] and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]], the Bible tells all one needs to know about sin. Sin, according to Luther, is any failure to observe God's commandments or other Godly precepts that one may determine from the actual teachings of [[Jesus]] and of His [[Apostle]]s (especially [[Paul]], the most prolific writer among them). ''Reconciliation'' from sin was a ''private'' matter between God and any of His followers. A priest or minister ''was not'' required, because that would imply that a human being, of whatever office, could stand in the place of God--a thing Luther regarded as an insult to God, which is the definition of [[blasphemy]]. | To Luther, and to his intellectual heirs in the [[Lutheran Church]] and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]], the Bible tells all one needs to know about sin. Sin, according to Luther, is any failure to observe God's commandments or other Godly precepts that one may determine from the actual teachings of [[Jesus]] and of His [[Apostle]]s (especially [[Paul]], the most prolific writer among them). ''Reconciliation'' from sin was a ''private'' matter between God and any of His followers. A priest or minister ''was not'' required, because that would imply that a human being, of whatever office, could stand in the place of God--a thing Luther regarded as an insult to God, which is the definition of [[blasphemy]]. | ||
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Nor was any animal sacrifice required, because [[Jesus]] Himself made the One Total and Complete Sacrifice of His own life for the sin condition of the world (see below) and for the sins of individual people, past, present ''and future''. Salvation was strictly by faith and strictly by grace. Luther drew directly on the letters of [[Paul]] that addressed this very subject. | Nor was any animal sacrifice required, because [[Jesus]] Himself made the One Total and Complete Sacrifice of His own life for the sin condition of the world (see below) and for the sins of individual people, past, present ''and future''. Salvation was strictly by faith and strictly by grace. Luther drew directly on the letters of [[Paul]] that addressed this very subject. | ||
− | ==== The | + | ==== The Anabaptist Tradition ==== |
− | The [[ | + | The ancient [[Anabaptists]], and the modern [[Baptists]] after them, would generally agree with Luther. For a comprehensive discussion of the Baptist view of sin and its consequences, see [[Sin (Baptist teaching)]]. |
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=== Islam === | === Islam === | ||
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Other Muslims will say that ''jihad'' is not physical at all, but refers instead to a personal struggle that every Muslim must engage in continually against sin and the temptations thereto. | Other Muslims will say that ''jihad'' is not physical at all, but refers instead to a personal struggle that every Muslim must engage in continually against sin and the temptations thereto. | ||
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=== Objectivism === | === Objectivism === | ||
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# Attempting to create one's own reality. | # Attempting to create one's own reality. | ||
− | Reconciliation for sin, beyond restitution to | + | Reconciliation for sin, beyond restitution to one affronted or victimized by it, is not generally required. In the Objectivist model, one pays the consequences of his particular sins in the form of loss of trade, loss of respect, ''et cetera.'' Because Objectivism admits no heaven, it admits no [[hell]], either, and therefore all of the consequences of sin ''must'' occur in this life. |
=== Cults and cult figures === | === Cults and cult figures === | ||
A [[cult]], properly speaking, is a belief system centered on one person, or the group of persons led by that person. In the context of a cult, sin is any refusal to uphold the decisions or obey the orders of the leader, and anything else that gives offense to the leader. Reconciliation is generally at the leader's own discretion. | A [[cult]], properly speaking, is a belief system centered on one person, or the group of persons led by that person. In the context of a cult, sin is any refusal to uphold the decisions or obey the orders of the leader, and anything else that gives offense to the leader. Reconciliation is generally at the leader's own discretion. | ||
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== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
Some religious and philosophical traditions consider sin to be a deliberate act; others say that it can be merely a mistake. Some say that reconciliation for sin requires a certain work; others that reconciliation is by the grace of [[God]] (or, for some, a cult leader), and still others (most notably the Objectivists) say that reconciliation is not required, except perhaps to any particular affronted person. | Some religious and philosophical traditions consider sin to be a deliberate act; others say that it can be merely a mistake. Some say that reconciliation for sin requires a certain work; others that reconciliation is by the grace of [[God]] (or, for some, a cult leader), and still others (most notably the Objectivists) say that reconciliation is not required, except perhaps to any particular affronted person. | ||
− | As mentioned, [[ | + | As mentioned, [[atheists]] do not necessarily lack a concept of sin (though they might not call it by that name). But ''amoral'' individuals cannot understand sin, because sin presupposes a moral code that someone might breach. |
== References == | == References == | ||
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* [http://creationwiki.org/Sin Sin] by [[CreationWiki]] | * [http://creationwiki.org/Sin Sin] by [[CreationWiki]] | ||
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[[Category:Bible]] | [[Category:Bible]] | ||
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[[Category:Religion]] | [[Category:Religion]] | ||
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
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Revision as of 10:44, September 5, 2007
Sin (from Old English synn, from either Old Norse synd or German Sünde, from sun(d)jo it is true, from Sanskrit(?) es- it is) is any failure to conform to the letter of a given code of morality, or the state of being of one so failing to conform, or the state of the world that results from such failure.
Meaning of sin
The root meaning of the English word sin is actually, "He is guilty as charged." This in turn implies that the person committing the offense knew, or ought to have known, that his act would be an offense before he committed it.
The Greek word used in the original New Testament and translated "sin" in English is ἁμαρτία (hamartia) (whence hamartoma a malformation of cells that are within their usual place in the body). This word perhaps captures the meaning of sin much better. Hamartia means missing a target. Thus sin does not require bad intentions, but might result from a misunderstanding. This is not to say that the consequences are any less dire, however. It does mean that sin need not be intentional; it can be a knowing (but not intentional), reckless, or negligent act.
Required: a moral context
Sin, which is a moral failure, cannot exist in the absence of a code of morality. Objectivism defines morality as "a code of values accepted by choice." Even a code of morality given by God qualifies as a code "accepted by choice," because human beings choose to abide by such a code, or not.
This is not to say that sin requires a context of divinity. Objectivism, for example, refuses to admit God, while still prescribing a standard of value and a code of morality that follows from it. (Whether such a code can properly stand, by the rules of Objectivism itself, is another matter.) The context in which sin ceases to have meaning is not atheism per se but rather amoralism--the doctrine that says that no person may properly define what is moral for another, because no two people will ever value the same thing to the same degree, or value the same collection of things by the same rank structure.
Whether any man ever lives without some form of moral code--even if that code is, "I denounce as sin any disagreement with myself or any attempt to stand in my way"--is debatable. Nevertheless, without some form of moral context, sin has no meaning.
Differing views of sin
Jewish
In Judaism, and certainly in ancient practice, sin required atonement by blood sacrifice. The Book of Leviticus prescribed multiple animal sacrifices for atonement for various types of sin. But by far the most important atonement--on the Day of Atonement (Yowm Kippur)--was made by the high priest of the Hebrew people (originally Aaron, brother of Moses). This involved making a blood sacrifice, entering the Holy of Holies (in Latin, sanctum sanctorum), and sprinkling some of the blood from the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant.
Animal sacrifice has not been part of Jewish practice since the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by the future Roman Emperor Titus in 70 AD. But the Old Testament did not imply that animal sacrifice was the sole necessary measure for reconciliation. Simple repentance and prayer sufficed numerous times in Bible history.
Today, though animal sacrifices are no longer observed, Jews do observe Yowm Kippur and other festivals related to repentance and reconciliation. But a movement now exists to attempt to regain exclusive control of the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem, rebuild the Temple, and resume the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings prescribed in the Torah.
Christian views
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic doctrine distinguishes original sin, or the sin of Adam, from personal sins, which require individual reconciliation with God. A personal sin may be mortal (a particularly grave matter that the perpetrator commits by deliberate intent) or venial (a less grave matter that could result from a misunderstanding). The RCC distinction is: Mortal sins cut a person off from the grace of God; venial sins do not, but still injure one's relationship to God.
The one mortal sin that, to a Catholic, would be unforgivable (because its successful commission leaves no opportunity for reconciliation later), is suicide. Beyond that, a person may receive reconciliation for a mortal sin by making confession to a priest and receiving the ceremony of absolution. One can reconcile from a venial sin by the sacrament of reconciliation, or by receiving communion, or Holy Eucharist.
Roman Catholic doctrine historically included two other controversial holdings. One is purgatory, a place where the soul must be held to "purge" him of all traces of sin before he can gain entry to heaven. Redemption from purgatory allegedly required the payment of a monetary fee by the deceased's relatives to the Church. The other is the indulgence, a fee paid to the church by the perpetrator in advance. Indulgences have not been sold for centuries, and recently Pope Benedict XVI issued an encyclical casting doubt on the entire concept of purgatory.
Virgin Mary
Roman Catholic doctrine holds that not only was Jesus sinless, but so, also, was His Mother, Mary. This doctrine, called Marianism, is not universally held by all Catholics, however.
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion, essentially the breakaway church of the United Kingdom, retains the Roman Catholic tradition of confession and absolution of sin. But instead of an individual process, confession in Anglican churches is a group activity, and absolution is pronounced by a minister to the entire church-going group. Purgatory and indulgences have no place in Anglican doctrine.
Eastern and Oriental Orthodox
The Orthodox churches, including Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox, differ little from Judaism in their holding of what sin is and how to reconcile it--except that animal sacrifices have never been part of Orthodox tradition.
The Reformation
Martin Luther led the most serious break from Roman Catholic doctrine and tradition, at about the time that King Henry VIII, then of the Kingdom of England, formed the Church of England, the forerunner of the Anglican Communion. Luther is most famous for his "nine precepts nailed to the church-house door." The most important of these is the principle that he stated in Latin as Sola Scriptura--literally, "Scripture only." Luther rejected out-of-hand most of the various categories of sin, and the elaborate rituals that attended its so-called reconciliation.
To Luther, and to his intellectual heirs in the Lutheran Church and the Dutch Reformed Church, the Bible tells all one needs to know about sin. Sin, according to Luther, is any failure to observe God's commandments or other Godly precepts that one may determine from the actual teachings of Jesus and of His Apostles (especially Paul, the most prolific writer among them). Reconciliation from sin was a private matter between God and any of His followers. A priest or minister was not required, because that would imply that a human being, of whatever office, could stand in the place of God--a thing Luther regarded as an insult to God, which is the definition of blasphemy.
Nor was any animal sacrifice required, because Jesus Himself made the One Total and Complete Sacrifice of His own life for the sin condition of the world (see below) and for the sins of individual people, past, present and future. Salvation was strictly by faith and strictly by grace. Luther drew directly on the letters of Paul that addressed this very subject.
The Anabaptist Tradition
The ancient Anabaptists, and the modern Baptists after them, would generally agree with Luther. For a comprehensive discussion of the Baptist view of sin and its consequences, see Sin (Baptist teaching).
Islam
In Islam, sin is very simple: anything that runs counter to the will of Allah (Arabic for God). In Islam, sin is simply an act, never a state of being.
Islam recognizes five gradations of sin, in order of severity:
- Mistakes.
- Immorality.
- Transgressions.
- Wickedness and depravity.
- Ascribing a partner to God. Thus this one special instance of blasphemy is held worse than any other sin a man can commit.
In Islam, permanent reconciliation cannot come in life. Instead, at death, a person has his "good deeds" measured against his "bad deeds" (sins). If the good outweighs the bad, then the person must walk a tightrope over a lake of fire in order to cross into heaven. Islam, however, offers one important exception: any person who dies in the course of an act that advances the Muslim faith gains automatic entry into heaven, regardless of any prior sins he has committed. The usual, and some Muslims (particularly the Wahabbi sect) say the only, context for such a death is jihad, literally holy war. Furthermore, jihad is a physical war against non-adherents to Islam.
Other Muslims will say that jihad is not physical at all, but refers instead to a personal struggle that every Muslim must engage in continually against sin and the temptations thereto.
Objectivism
Objectivism does not admit to any kind of divinity, but it still has its own code of morality. Though a student of Objectivism does not normally use the word sin, one may best infer what Objectivism considers sinful by examining what it teaches man to value. A basic, but by no means exhaustive, list would include:
- Failure to be relentlessly rational in everything one does.
- Coveting the fruits of another's labor without being willing to pay for those fruits.
- Failure to give value for value received.
- Violation of another person's right to pursue his life in a non-offensive manner.
- Initiating the use of force against another person or group of persons.
- Accepting as real anything one cannot see.
- Refusing to accept reality.
- Attempting to create one's own reality.
Reconciliation for sin, beyond restitution to one affronted or victimized by it, is not generally required. In the Objectivist model, one pays the consequences of his particular sins in the form of loss of trade, loss of respect, et cetera. Because Objectivism admits no heaven, it admits no hell, either, and therefore all of the consequences of sin must occur in this life.
Cults and cult figures
A cult, properly speaking, is a belief system centered on one person, or the group of persons led by that person. In the context of a cult, sin is any refusal to uphold the decisions or obey the orders of the leader, and anything else that gives offense to the leader. Reconciliation is generally at the leader's own discretion.
Summary
Some religious and philosophical traditions consider sin to be a deliberate act; others say that it can be merely a mistake. Some say that reconciliation for sin requires a certain work; others that reconciliation is by the grace of God (or, for some, a cult leader), and still others (most notably the Objectivists) say that reconciliation is not required, except perhaps to any particular affronted person.
As mentioned, atheists do not necessarily lack a concept of sin (though they might not call it by that name). But amoral individuals cannot understand sin, because sin presupposes a moral code that someone might breach.
References
- Sin by CreationWiki