Biblical Concept of Sin Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biblical Concept of Sin - Article Example The present research has identified that the bible is the Christian’s guide to live a spiritually healthy life. The bible has many authors in the different books, who were inspired by God. The Bible teaches Christians to live a pure life with no sin; however, it does not provide a precise definition of sin. Instead, the Bible elaborates on remedies to sin. Like other doctrines, Kinghorn acknowledges the need to apply the concept of progressive revelation. In his attempt to reveal the biblical view of sin, Kinghorn studies the doctrine of sin in both the old and new testaments. He uses this approach in order to follow the revelation of the doctrine of sin throughout the centuries, from the creation of man, as God manifests himself in the human families setting. Kinghorn identifies numerous terms that look into the concept of sin in the Old Testament, which makes it an ideal study in order to understand the doctrine of sin. Mentions of sin in the Old Testament are in Hebrew, who se translations may distort the precise definition of the terms. In this article, we see sin as having an inward concept and an outside concept. The inward concept is best seen in the case of the tenth commandment, while the outside concept of sin is seen in cold-blooded murder. There are many concepts of sin including an act of wrongdoing with regard to ethics, breaking the law due to ill motive, and breaking the covenant of God as a deflection from the lawgiver.   giver. We also look at the doctrine of sin according to the new testament, as portrayed by Jesus through parables and Paul in his letters. The author concludes by relating the doctrine of sin to the opinions of Wesleyans. Critical interaction In defining sin according to the New Testament, Kinghorn looks at human family and the relation it had with God. The family setting in the Old Testament defined sin as an inward act, owing to the sins of our first parents, before it became an outward act. In this regard sin was seen as breaking the law, which made it punishable. According to the Hebrews, there was a clear distinction between sin, which was defined as an act of wrong doing, and what did not constitute sin. According to the book of Leviticus, sin was any act that was contrary to the command, whether it was done knowingly or unknowingly, due to ignorance. Kinghorn supports this claim by quoting the book of Leviticus 5: 17, which says "And if any one sin, and do any of the things wh ich Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity." The Old Testament looks at both the ethical and legal concepts of sin. In the former, sin involves an act, while in the latter, it is about breaking a law, regardless of knowledge of its existence. Another kind of sin in the Old Testament is one that is not portrayed on the outside, like in the case of condemning murder only if it’s done willingly. Analysis of the sin according to the Old Testament is fouuunded on the idea of progression, whereby the concept of sin is revealed in various people and prophets as we move towards Christianity. Kinghorn identifies some bible characters that had greater vision than others, like in the case of Enoch. He also reveals another concept of sin that involves breaking the covenant of God that is built on human obedience. In such cases, sin is seen as a rebellion against God since the covenant forms the basis of the relationship between God and man. In the Old Testament, sin was seen as not only breaking the law, but also a deflection from the law giver. The analysis of sin according