Sin / The Devil / Hell

Christian Ethics

Miss Eder 2010

1) Sin * Sin is a theological/religious concept. From a biblical perspective, sin is unfaithfulness to the covenant; sin is that which opposes God and Gods will for creation. Sin both enslaves humanity and corrupts the created order. Sin is universal among human beings, individual, and collective. * There is no single Hebrew word for sin; rather a variety of Hebrew words are used in a variety of ways to describe the theological concept of sin--words such as iniquity, revolt, transgression, evil. * The various words used in the Bible for sin mean a variety of things, among them: to miss the mark (as in failing to attain a goal) rebellion (against parents, against political superior) breach of an agreement disloyalty failure to fulfill ones obligations to a superior person failure to do ones duty as a host deviation or distortion guilt and liability straying dissolution of a community obstinacy disorder abomination twisted a lie, deceitfulness folly trouble affliction sorrow * Root of sin according to the Hebrew Scriptures: lack of knowledge of God, with lack of knowledge meaning refusal to know God, refusal to accept the reality of God. In the bible, sin arises from an evil heart, it is a deliberate and willful act for which human beings bear responsibility. (There is no conception of compulsion, neurosis, or social failure which excuses sin.) * Origin of sin in human history according to Hebrew Scriptures is found in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, in which sin is attributed to the free will and choice of human beings who have the power to resist temptation but choose otherwise. The sin of Adam and Eve

Sin / The Devil / Hell

Christian Ethics

Miss Eder 2010

involves wanting something which is not theirs. The result of sin is breaking the relationship between humans and God. The sin of Adam and Eve--and all sin-- leads to a curse upon humanity, death, discord, disaster and destruction. * The Hebrew Scriptures identify a variety of sins: cultic sins, social and political sins, and personal sins. Sins may be due failure, ignorance, or deliberate intention. * In Christian Scriptures sin is understood in light of the tradition in Hebrew Scriptures, though three additional elements are added: -the idea of sin as a single act -the idea of sin as a condition or state of being -the idea of sin as a power or force. In addition, the Christian Scriptures portray Jesus as one who conquers sin, a characteristic not attributed to anyone else (and a characteristic which emphasizes Jesus divine power). * In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) the emphasis is on the forgiveness of sin by Jesus, not on sin. Jesus associates with sinners and calls sinners to repentance. Forgiveness is given by Jesus by all who seek it. * In the Gospel of John sin is understood in terms of lawlessness and unrighteousness and those who sin are slaves of sin. Sin is opposed to truth and the result of sin is death. Jesus is the sinless one whose death on the cross atones for the sins of the world. * In the writings of Paul, the human condition is understood in terms of sin and the world is a place where sin reigns (idea of original sin). Sin is a power from which there is no escape and the effect of sin is death. All human beings are immersed in sin. Sin is overcome by the death and resurrection of Jesus and it is through faith in Jesus (sharing in Jesus death and resurrection) that human beings are freed from sin and death (sins effect). * The Catholic moral tradition classifies sins into two types, based on the gravity of the sin: mortal sin and venial sin. A sin is mortal if three conditions are present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, and eternal happiness. * The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines sin as an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbor... * The following notion of social sin was first used in Populorum Progressio in 1967 when Pope Paul VI used the term sinful structures in reference to inequalities between

Sin / The Devil / Hell

Christian Ethics

Miss Eder 2010

rich and poor nations. This encyclical noted that such inequality was created by structures of trade and finance. Personal Sin: Sin is an offense against God. Personal sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain good. It wounds the nature of human beings and injures human solidarity. Personal sin requires freedom and is the starting point of all sin. Social Sin: Social sin is the result of the accumulation and concentration of many personal sins. It results from situations which promote individual acts of selfishness which impact the wider society, and it highlights a failure of individuals to take personal responsibility for the impact of their actions. Structural Sin: Sin gives rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. Societies create institutions and structures that are established, shaped and sustained by individuals. Sins can become institutionalized. Structural sin refers to structures that oppress human beings, violate human dignity and create gross inequalities. All sin is both personal and social at the same time.all sin is personal in the sense that only individuals can commit sin, only individuals can be guilty, only individuals can be sinners. However, all sins also have a social dimension because sins have social consequences. In this sense, then, sins become institutionalized and systematized in the structures, laws and customs of a society. (Nolan 1988: 43)

2) The Devil / Satan * The link between the devil and sin is a late development in Hebrew Scriptures. In any event, the understanding of the devil as a tempter of humanity does not affect the fundamental biblical perspective that human beings are responsible for sin. * The Hebrew word satan, means accuser or slanderer. In Greek, the Hebrew word is translated by the word diabolos. In Christian Scriptures, the two words are used interchangeably. * The Christian Scriptures reflect the general Jewish understanding of Satan and demons. Satan is portrayed as a tempter who has the power to do harm to humans. Ultimately, Satan is subject to Gods power and will be subdued. 3) Hell * The English word hell is a translation of the Greek word Hades, which translates a number of Hebrew words (the pit, death, deep darkness), including two key Hebrew words, Sheol and Gehenna. Hades was a Greek god, the lord of the underworld. In the Hebrew tradition, Sheol was the realm of the dead, though not a place of punishment.

Sin / The Devil / Hell

Christian Ethics

Miss Eder 2010

In the common conception of the universe in the ancient Near East (which the Hebrews shared), Sheol was below the subterranean ocean upon which the land floated; it was the pit or grave, a dark place of dust where the dead dwell. * Extrabiblical Jewish tradition develops the idea of Gehenna as a place of punishment of the wicked after death, punishment associated with unquenchable fire. * In Christian Scriptures the word Gehenna is mentioned twelve times. Summarizing those references leads to an understanding of Gehenna as a pit of unquenchable fire where people are cast and punished for their sins. It is a place of misery, torture, weeping, and darkness. * The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes hell as a state of definitive selfexclusion from communion with God and the blessed... Principle source consulted: Actemeier, Paul J., ed. Harpers Bible Dictionary. San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1985. Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1994. McBrien, Richard P. Catholicism: Study Edition. Minneapolis, MN: Winston Press, 1981. McKenzie, John L. Dictionary of the Bible. New York, NY: Collier Books, 1965. Rahner, Karl and Herbert Vorgrimler. Dictionary of Theology. 2d ed. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1985. Educating for Justice www.educatingforjustice