[net.religion] A flame of sorts... Not too hot.

speaker@umcp-cs.UUCP (11/27/83)

I was taught that "sin" in the Greek means "to miss the mark"
or to not be perfect.  In this light it doesn't carry the
same stigma that our modern day usage does.

It also seems to put a lot more responsibility on the
individual to judge and improve himself, as opposed
to being threatened by the wrath of God.

Consider that the Fundamentalists rail on and on about what
is sinfull and how God punishes sin etc, etc.... but I'll bet
not one of them has bothered to find the true definition of
"sin" as used in the text.

After all, we ALL know what sin is don't we?  Brings to mind
all sorts of slimey, disgusting acts doesn't it?  That sort
of automatic association makes the bible-thumpers little
better than dogs in a pavlovian drooling contest....

Oops, I'm beginning to ramble aren't I?
-- 

					- Bessie the Hellcow
					speaker@umcp-cs
					speaker.umcp-cs@CSnet-Relay

dejongh@osu-dbs.UUCP (12/02/83)

It is a good thing to look at the definition of sin in greek, of course.
We should also look at the meaning of iniquity in Hebrew to understand
Isaiah 53, and thus why the saviour had to die.  

As far as knowing what sin means, we are fortunate that Jesus and Paul and 
Peter do not leave us to our own speculation about the definition of sin,
but they explain carefully what is sinful and what is righteous.

			Matt DeJongh