Sinful Thoughts: An Introduction

Sin is an interesting thing to say the least. To be honest, I am traditionally a little hesitant to speak about such a subject.

Some have chosen to use sin, and all they believe it is, to create “in groups” and “out-groups.” They do this by carefully crafting exactly what they believe sin to be. Then they point at people who are not like them and accuse them of what they have carefully crafted. Identification then becomes easy. There are “sinners” and us.

This kind of narrow thinking is often spurred on by pastors and ministers, and absorbed with little thought by many of their followers. Few would subscribe to this kind of thinking, especially when stated in such a harsh way (as it is here).

But let’s be honest, most of us have an opinion about sin. In my experience our opinion about sin usually involves what others are doing wrong - rarely does our opinion of sin start with ourselves. As soon as we begin to use sin to differentiate ourselves from anyone (and I mean anyone) we err.

While sin is a small word it has been transformed into a massive weapon. A weapon used to divide, to belittle, to puff ourselves up, and to dismiss many.

Much rhetoric about sin has been used to exclude. Most dialogue has devolved into a monologue, and the subject of sin is used as a soap box for the self-righteous to climb up on to preach damnation to the wandering masses. Given this, I feel that there is a lot to overcome to even begin speaking about it.

These are a few of the reasons that I do not like to talk about sin. Not because I do not think that it exists. Not because I want everyone to like me. Not because sin is not very trendy. Not because I am a relativist. Not because just saying the word “sin” sounds punitive. The reason I do not like to speak much about sin is because of the way sin has traditionally been spoken of.

As I sit and talk with people I have noticed something. Whenever the subject of sin arises in conversation I frequently sense a tension enter the conversation. A tension, mind you, in them and in me. Don't get me wrong, I do talk about what is going wrong in our lives and our world, but I often find myself using synonyms for sin that just sound a little nicer. Words like mean, broken, dark, Boston Red Sox, etc.

So then, why do I now wish to write about sin and talk about sin as "sin?" Truth be told I have had a lot of sinful thoughts lately (don’t judge, this simply is a poetic way of saying that I have been thinking about sin – which also sounds a tad off). As I have contemplated sin, what it is, how we go about sinning, how we approach it, and many other facets I am learning a great deal.

More and more I am optimistic about sin. In many ways I am warming up to it and liking the idea of sin more and more. So much so that sin may just edge its way back into my conversations and teaching. For now however, it is relegated to my blog.

Over the next space of time I will be writing some thoughts about sin. Feel free to chime in. This, as always, is intended as a place to begin conversation – not end it.