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Philosophy 101
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What is sin?
| Philosophy 101 |
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What is sin? |
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~DreamChild~ Senior Member
since 2001-04-23
Posts 544in your dreams 
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What is sin? Websters On Line has many definitions for it, but what exactly is sin? missing the mark? breaking the law? well what is the law then? The ten commandments was the first law given the children of israel during their exodus from egypt, so that would be the sovereign law of God, for bible believers. when Jesus taught on the mountain in the gospel of matthew, he gave a more spiritual revelation of God's law, exposing the heart of man, and it's intent. from what i gather from reading God's law (the ten commamdments), and the sermon on the mount in the book of matthew, is that sin takes place in the heart. if this is so, then it is not my actions, but my thoughts and motives that would be at fault, right? |
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silhouetted Senior Member
since 2004-01-30
Posts 537New Zealand |
having no religious backround personally, i too don't know the answer to this question. I don't follow any Ten Commandments, or God's law, but i still have a certain respect for them and from time to time i wonder if i am sinning or not. I believe that its the actions, not the thought, but i don't know. can anyone brush me up on the ten commandments?  laura you're the only one keeping me alive |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Sin is in the mind of not only the observer, but also the commitor. If one is by ones self, then they fulfil both roles. Sin is also going against accepted social morals, traditions, and values, yet again is subject overall to the first sentance of observer/commitor. There are those who are labeled amoral, or completely lacking in morals (in contrast in immoral which is knowing what is wrong, but doing it anyhow), who do not, for whatever reason, have any moral backing whatsoever, and so commit no sins in their own minds. As for the 10 Commandments, silhouetted: Worship no other god. Do not make nor worship idols. Shall not misuse the Name of the Lord. Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy. Honor your parents. Do not commit premeditated and deliberate murder. Do not steal. Do not commit adultery. Do not give false testimony. Do not covet others' possessions or spouses. In the New Testament, Jesus synopsized the 10 into 2: love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. |
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fractal007 Senior Member
since 2000-06-01
Posts 1958 |
First, let's get one thing straight about sin before we go any further. The fall into sin as described in the Bible effects all of creation. So, sin is not just an action, it's a state of existence. We are in a world of sin. As for intentions and thoughts being the root of sin, remember the old proverb: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Any idiot can see that the result is true. |
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~DreamChild~ Senior Member
since 2001-04-23
Posts 544in your dreams |
yes, the world is in a state of sinful existence, but, god's people must come out from the world and be separate. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
the Ten commandments were the recorded form of God's law to his people (the Israelites). However, the New Testament, especially in the book of Romans, tells us that God's law is revealed in a more universal way. He has written his law "on our hearts", whether Jewish or not. The case for God's law being reflected through the human conscience, and through societal laws, is pretty strong. There are of course differences between the ethical rules of varying groups of people, but the differences are small when compared to the similarities. As C.S. Lewis once observed, there is no known group of people where cowardice is admired, or where betrayal is applauded. And where those abberations seem to exist, they are usually justified by another point of the moral law ... ie, they are defended by being thought of as exceptions. No society ever thought it was okay to despise your friends, though some have justified that it's okay to despise your enemies (on the premise of just punishment, etc...). Jesus also summed up the nature of God's law by saying that it amounted to "Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength ... and loving your neighbor as yourself". When it comes to the question of whether sin is intent or action ... it's easy to make the distinction in discussion. But that distinction isn't often there in real situations. Seldom can evil thinking go on too long without some manifestation in willful action. And few actions ever take place without some level of intelligent intent. That's why Jesus also said, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks". Likewise, out of the overflow of the heart, the hand moves, the feet walk, the eye winks, the lip sneers, etc ... etc ... So it doesn't seem to be "either/ or", but "both/ and". Stephen. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
quote: Fractal, are you making the distinction between the universal aspect of sin and the individual aspect? Again, I would suggest that these two exist without really diminishing the other. Many many grains of corn, make a pile of corn. But you can still count them one by one if you wish. Or perhaps you are making the distinction between being and doing ... (essence versus action). As I hinted before, I think these are so intertwined, that the proper dissection escapes us. Who you are most often determines what you do. "You shall know a tree by it's fruit". Of course the other side of it is the warning in the negative to "beware of wolves in sheep's clothing". I also recall a line from The Fellowship of the Ring, where the young Hobbits were discussing whether or not they could really trust their new friend Strider (Aragorn). Frodo pipes up with a stroke of wisdom, saying that he thought that a true enemy would somehow "look fairer and feel fouler". So there are general principles, and yet always seeming exceptions to the rule. But in the end it was Aragorn's noble actions which vindicated him in the eyes of all. Stephen. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I think Stephenos worded it most wisely. |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
James 4:17 (NASB) "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. Just thought I'd add that sin is not only doing something wrong, but also it's not doing something right. Okay... philosophy forum is a bad place for me. *runs back out* |
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