Jason, I will need to return to this post and ruminate on it some more. So much to grow from.
But my initial reaction is that "sin" is a dirty word today. At least in liberal circles. And perhaps - I don't know - it is too much an emphasis in other circles.
Is it not true that a healthy sense of my sin is necessary, and as Ignatius taught in the Exercises, to recognize that whatever takes my affections away from God is my sin? It could be one thing today and a different thing tomorrow. I am grateful that Ignatius also emphasizes God's great love, as you illustrate in your final quote.
Thank you for this thoughtful and thought-provoking piece.
I have an atheist family member who often says that the way the church preached the gospel to her as a child was a form of psychological abuse. My understanding is that they were effectively saying to children that every tiny bad habit they had was the reason why Jesus had to die such a violent death. It places a very heavy burden on small people’s shoulders!
And yet on the other hand, we now never speak of sin at all! I think most people don’t really know what it really is.
Jason, thank you for this article on Sin and its significance in our lives. For me, you have brought together the two opposing views of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in an understandable way. "Ah, that makes sense" is my reaction. I will ponder this to see how it can inform my life and ministry. Thanks again.
Jason, I will need to return to this post and ruminate on it some more. So much to grow from.
But my initial reaction is that "sin" is a dirty word today. At least in liberal circles. And perhaps - I don't know - it is too much an emphasis in other circles.
Is it not true that a healthy sense of my sin is necessary, and as Ignatius taught in the Exercises, to recognize that whatever takes my affections away from God is my sin? It could be one thing today and a different thing tomorrow. I am grateful that Ignatius also emphasizes God's great love, as you illustrate in your final quote.
Thank you for this thoughtful and thought-provoking piece.
Yes, Sin is a word changed in meaning. Also interesting we are averse to using any synonym for it :-)
Great piece!
I have an atheist family member who often says that the way the church preached the gospel to her as a child was a form of psychological abuse. My understanding is that they were effectively saying to children that every tiny bad habit they had was the reason why Jesus had to die such a violent death. It places a very heavy burden on small people’s shoulders!
And yet on the other hand, we now never speak of sin at all! I think most people don’t really know what it really is.
Thank you for writing this! Lot’s to ponder on…
Pertinent anecdote, thank you Sarah and for reading.
Jason, thank you for this article on Sin and its significance in our lives. For me, you have brought together the two opposing views of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in an understandable way. "Ah, that makes sense" is my reaction. I will ponder this to see how it can inform my life and ministry. Thanks again.
Sylvia Askey
Thankyou for reading and for sharing how the article helped bring that insight for you.
Very thought provoking!