One might (rightly) infer from my blog URL that our fallen human nature is one of my focus areas. Indeed, I'm extremely good at falling- as in sinning. Fallen: A Theology of Sin looks at this important topic.
In Fallen, ten respected theologians provide essays looking at sin from different perspectives. The following are covered:
- Sin's Contemporary Significance
- Sin as discussed in the Old Testament and New Testament
- Sin in the Biblical Story
- Sin in Historical Theology
- A Theology of Sin for Today
- Satan, Sin, and Evil
- Sin and Temptation
- Repentance
Summary
Below I present and summarize some key concepts found in the book. All quotes, unless indicated otherwise, are from it.
"Why am I not the way I am supposed to be? The human phenomenon bears witness that something is wrong- with the world, with us, and with me." It was not always so- "in the beginning, God created a good cosmos with good humans who had good relationships with him, themselves, on another, and with creation itself." But no longer. Through Adam and Eve, "sin has entered the picture and has brought disruption and alienation in each human relationship- with God, oneself, one another, and creation."
Why does this topic matter?
It's important to understand this reality- and exactly what sin is- because it's the primary problem in the world, and if we understand the problem, we better understand the depth and nature of the solution: the salvation granted by Jesus on the cross. Indeed, "if we do not comprehend the massive role that sin plays in the Bible and therefore in biblically faithful Christianity, we shall misread the Bible." Yes, "salvation has no meaning unless we understand what it is that we have been saved from and why salvation is necessary in the first place. Knowing the nature and effects of sin is the essential preliminary to understanding what Christ did to defeat it. If we get that wrong, our appreciation of salvation will be distorted and the gospel will be lost."
"Why am I not the way I am supposed to be? The human phenomenon bears witness that something is wrong- with the world, with us, and with me." It was not always so- "in the beginning, God created a good cosmos with good humans who had good relationships with him, themselves, on another, and with creation itself." But no longer. Through Adam and Eve, "sin has entered the picture and has brought disruption and alienation in each human relationship- with God, oneself, one another, and creation."
Why does this topic matter?
It's important to understand this reality- and exactly what sin is- because it's the primary problem in the world, and if we understand the problem, we better understand the depth and nature of the solution: the salvation granted by Jesus on the cross. Indeed, "if we do not comprehend the massive role that sin plays in the Bible and therefore in biblically faithful Christianity, we shall misread the Bible." Yes, "salvation has no meaning unless we understand what it is that we have been saved from and why salvation is necessary in the first place. Knowing the nature and effects of sin is the essential preliminary to understanding what Christ did to defeat it. If we get that wrong, our appreciation of salvation will be distorted and the gospel will be lost."
So what is sin?
"What makes sin sin, in the deepest sense, is that it is against God." It "is breaking God's law and therefore defying God himself. This involves failing to do what God commands and doing what God prohibits." Note that it "is fundamentally relational," and the "motive for sin remains unbelief . . . manifested as a lack of faith in Yahweh." We disbelieve the Lord and disregard His commands, bring upon ourselves destruction and ruin. "Sin amounts to twisting the truth, rebelling against God, and purposefully missing God's goals."
Sin is pervasive- "is not an optional characteristic loosely tacked on to otherwise unblemished beings but a pervasive power and guilt and tragedy that define all human experience;" "not an innocent shortfall but a toxic and damning condition of guilt before God."
Sin affects everything (even creation) and everyone. It "is the offense of individuals, but it is profoundly social and multi-generational." We know this to be true based on our experiences- the sins of generations past continue to haunt us today, and our own failures will hurt those who follow.
What are we to do about sin?
Jesus is clear: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). "This implies abandoning certain wrong attitudes and actions and adopting others. It implies forsaking sin and replacing it with what is right." We are to confess our own fallen thoughts, deeds, and words and cling to Jesus, believing in Him as our savior. We then rejoice, knowing that we're saved by His grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and demonstrate this renewed life as we "bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:3-5)
Yes, we rejoice as God "is making all things new" (Revelation 21:5), and reconciling all things to himself (Colossian 1:20).
Review
Review
This book is excellent. It's both scholarly and easy for a layman to follow. Some material is covered multiple times, as it's looking at things from different perspectives. (It didn't seem repetitive, though.) As each chapter was written by a different author, I rated each individually- and all were good, warranting either an A+, A, or A-. It was both educational, edifying, and humbling. The authors unpack many Scriptures to show the depth, horror, and reality of sin. We need to treat sin as the ugly reality it is- for when we do, we more clearly understand and long for our Savior. This book, along with Not the Way it's Supposed to Be, is a must-have resource.
Rating: A+
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