What Ever Happened To Sin? Part I

As a whole the evangelical church at large no longer has any influence over this world. As a matter of fact it is hard to determine the difference today between the world and the church. The church has been called to be both salt and light in this present age. Unfortunately, for the most part, we seem to be neither. I think there are at least four (4) reasons for this failure. The first reason is that the church today has such … A weak view of sin Why does the church seem to have such a weak view of sin? It stems from the fact that we have; 1) forgotten what sin is and 2) we have attempted to reject God’s definition of sin and redefine it. Here are a few thoughts to chew on until next time. Karl Menniger wrote – The very word “sin”, which seems to have disappeared, was once a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word … But the word went away. It has almost disappeared – the word, along with the notion. Why? Doesn’t anyone sin anymore? Doesn’t anyone believe in sin? [1] Charles Hodge wrote - The existence of sin is an undeniable fact. No man can examine his own nature, or observe the conduct of his fellow men, without having the conviction forced upon him that there is such an evil as sin. [2] Emery H Bancroft wrote - Sin is a reality and not an illusion, although some have so pronounced it on the ground of fatalism … others deny its existence … [3] Louis Berkhof wrote - Sin is one the saddest but also one of the most common phenomena of human life. It is a part of the common experience of mankind, and therefore forces itself upon the attention of all those who do not deliberately close their eyes to the realities of human life. [4] Wayne Gruden wrote - Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature. Sin includes not only individual acts such as stealing or lying or committing murder, but also attitudes that are contrary to the attitudes God requires of us. [5]

The Apostle Paul wrote -"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

[1] Whatever Became of Sin?, Karl Menniger, 1973

[2] Systematic Theology, Charles Hodge, Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1979, p. 130

[3] Christian Theology, Emery H Bancroft, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976, p. 213

[4] Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof, Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1996, p. 227

[5] Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994, p. 490