The Definition of Sin

Destroying Fortresses Time

In an issue of Time Magazing dated April 2, 1979“Psychiatry on the Couch”

Review

Over the past few weeks, we have talked about how you must define the problem correctly. You need a proper diagnosis if you are going to apply the right treatment.

We then said that Scipture defines the primary problem being that of sin. Sin, which was started in the arrogance of Satan,

We talked about how Roman 1 identifies the big sin as the rejection of God for which God’s wrath comes first by allowing people to pursue their lusts unhindered.

Hamartiology: The Study of Sin

It is unpopular to talk about sin, especially today.

Throughout human history, there has been a general awareness of the sinfulness of man. Even if they didn’t fully grasp it from God’s perspective.

However, that has really changed since the Enlightnement - the 18th c. intellectual movement that emphasized the autonomy of human reason.

Listen to What Dr. Richard Mayhue and John MacArthur write about this in “Biblical Doctrine”:

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth Introduction to Sin

Since the Enlightenment, however, Western civilization has become increasingly antagonistic to the reality of sin, especially as it is defined biblically. There are four main reasons for this change.

He then gives four reasons for this:

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth Sin Defined

Of the Bible’s sixty-six books and 1,189 chapters, only two books and four chapters do not mention sin or sinners. Genesis 1–2 and Revelation 21–22 stand alone as unique chapters that rehearse the creation before sin and the new heaven and new earth, which will never be infected by sin. The rest of the Bible, from Genesis 3:1 to Revelation 20:15, abounds with the themes of human sin and the need for salvation. Sin is a major doctrine.