Problems with "sin"

Most of us would have no difficulty with condemning what has been done recently in Mumbai, or a man repeatedly raping his two daughters, also in the news recently. But the nature of wickedness is a mystery to many. Both are expressions of what the Bible calls sin but there is more to it than that.

For many the word "sin" is unhelpful as it often carries images of self-righteous people condemning others. Yet the same people would readily accept that a characteristic that all humankind seem to share is the ability to mess things up. None of us are perfect, and sin is simply one way of defining that.

In both Hebrew and Greek thinking (the two main languages of scripture) there are three different ways of understanding sin. I find them helpful and I also find the fact that I can illustrate them from the experience of every motorist in the UK is helpful too.

Our national speed limit is 70 mph. Most built up areas limit speed to 30 mph and there are various other limits. Despite careful searching I have yet to find one driver who can honestly say that they have not exceeded the speed limit at some time. In fact many would say (in their defence) that you just can't help it sometimes. This introduces us to the main concept of sin which is simply a failure to meet an expected standard.

Sometimes the speed limit is exceeded almost accidentally. We might be aware that we have come into an area where the speed is limited to 30 or 40 mph, for example, but a lack of concentration has led to driving too fast. We have drifted over the limit unintentionally. This is what is meant by the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated as "iniquity". It means a tendency to go off track. We have trolleys in supermarkets that do that!

The third concept is usually translated as "transgression". Staying with the driving analogy this would be those occasions when we are in a hurry - perhaps because we are late. If we cannot see a police car, or a speed camera, and it seems safe to do so, we put our foot down and deliberately break the speed limit. Literally transgression is about crossing a line when we know that do so is wrong.

There was a time when I accepted as true the common comment that if everyone driving in London observed the speed limit everything would grind to a halt. But learning of someone who picked up several fines and seventeen points on her licence recently in a single day's driving in London has made me think again! It seems that rules are not flexible.

We know that the speed limits are set in law for the common good and the safety of all. I'm not sure that a policeman catching me speeding would be impressed by any argument that I might put forward suggesting that it is a matter of relativity rather than absolutes. But often I hear arguments that sin is a matter of relativity. "What if no one is hurt by what we do?" Of course we tend to be blind to the consequences of our sin on other people, on society in general, or even on our own personality.

Sooner or later anyone who persistently exceeds the speed limit will either get caught by the authorities or worse still might seriously hurt someone in an accident. The latter is much more likely to happen when we persistently "get away with it". You may have heard the story about the man who fell from a very tall building and was heard to say "So far so good" as he passed each floor on his way to the pavement.

I have got away with it on occasions and I recently wondered what my bank balance would look like if I voluntarily paid the equivalent of a fine for each occasion. Putting right the consequences of our moral sins is absolutely impossible, but the Divine Authority offers to wipe the record clean when we are truly sorry.

Saying Sorry

Over recent days in the UK we have been deeply affected by the death of a very young child known simply as "Baby P". Appalled by what we have seen and heard we have speculated (and some have pronounced) on who is to blame beyond those that battered this poor child. It seems that the system or those working the system failed. How could any child, having been seen sixty times by officials not have been taken into care?

We can only hope that the enquiry will explain the failure and that appropriate steps will be taken. Social workers have been quick to blame overwork and bureaucracy that prevents in depth meetings with clients. Senior officials have defended themselves with statements such as "doing everything by the book". Those within the system must feel threatened as public concern has been expressed so strongly.

Possibly fear of litigation or the political fallout may also contribute to the apparent clamour of "It wasn't my fault!"

But this current denial of responsibility is so typical of one of our societal problems today: the inability to say "sorry, it was my fault". Tragically, some of the hurting people I find myself counselling would be able to move on with their life if only there was a greater readiness on the part of the abusers to say sorry. The truth and justice experience in South Africa provides an encouraging model. Acceptance of responsibility enables the blessings of forgiveness that are otherwise denied even if offered.

Science and Faith

I've just been watching two fascinating DVDs that I bought from Evangelical Films. Both are science based and very well made. They are well presented and well reasoned and do not include the usual creationist polemic that tends to offend non-Christians.

I am delighted to commend both. They are The Privileges Planet and Unlocking the Mystery of Life. Both last about an hour and would be great for helping Christians who need to know that faith and good science are not in conflict. They can also be used with non-Christians in my opinion.

If you have seen either of these please leave a comment.

Now that's Church!

I was invited to speak at a small celebration event in Essex recently. It was organised by rural folk for people primarily from rural churches and people from about 5 or 6 churches were present. I had been asked to say something to encourage and inspire them in rural mission. It was to be be Bible based.

Anyone reading this blog who is not familiar with rural churches might not realise that they are often small congregations seeking to witness to their local communities but often feeling that they are burdened with maintaining ancient buildings and ecclesiastical structures. Often there is a sense of just surviving!

The celebration started at 4.00pm on a Sunday. Worship was led with a guitar and a keyboard and the songs were contemporary. These were interspersed with extempore praise and prayer. One of the local church leaders felt moved to give an exhortation within this time as well. Then I spoke and prayed. We sang one more song and then had the opportunity to enjoy informal fellowship while eating a two course meal (Shepherds Pie or Potato Cheese Bake with beans or peas) which we ate standing up. This was followed by cheese cakes or gateaux, tea or coffee.

As I drove away afterward I felt that I had just experienced church as God intends it to be. In the space of two hours we had worshipped, prayed, listened to God's word, and shared a fellowship meal together. It was good company and felt just the kind of event Jesus would have been at home at. Actually, I think he was!

Change is here to stay?

The Obama campaign used the need for change as its main appeal. It was therefore a little ironic to hear a Republican commentator stating that as he looked around the Republican's final gathering that night he could not help noticing that the average age was high and that he could not see one black face. "If we are to survive," he said, "We will have to change".

That has so many echoes for UK inherited churches in rural areas. The appeal (in as much as it does actually appeal to anyone) is usually to an older white person. Of course, minority ethnic groups are not to be found in great numbers in rural areas, but the mono-culture nature of so many of our churches and high average age should cause concern. Added to that, the average size is small, many have been seriously declining, and the cost of maintaining buildings and ministry is now a heavy burden. But is there readiness to change?

Someone once said that the only people group that always welcomes change is wet babies! That might be funny but it expresses an important aspect regarding change: it is far easier for change to happen once the status quo has become uncomfortable. My fear is that rather like lobsters in a slowly warming pot of hot water, we are already soporific and fail to be awakened to the need for change.

Do add your comments.

Taking Risks - Steps of Faith (part 2)

In yesterday's post on this blog I referred to risks for Formula1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton and the England cricket team. Now, after both events it is interesting to reflect on these. Did you see how narrowly Lewis Hamilton become the champion. In the final seconds he passed Glock and robbed Massa of a double victory. And it all hinged on how hard it was raining, what tyres were on the cars and when they were put on them. It was all very risky - a matter of chance.

I smiled at the comment from the captain of the England team who blamed their losing upon being distracted by matters relating to the one million dollars prize money for each member of the winning team. "We should have just focused on the game", he said. Well that's the risk you take when you pursue the wrong prize!

I think that the apostle Paul got it right when he said that there was only one prize worth striving for. The strange thing is that this prize - which is the greatest treasure anyone can receive, and which lasts for ever - doesn't come from taking risks, but simply by taking a step of faith. All we have to do is to recognise that before a holy God our very best efforts leave us coming up short, so we take hold of his offer of mercy and forgiveness and invite Jesus Christ into our lives.

What do you think?

Taking Risks - Steps of Faith

Over the last few years the Charity Commission in England and Wales has emphasised the importance for charity trustees to carry out a proper risk assessment for their organisations. This is to ensure good governance and preparedness for possible difficulties. We also live at a time when Health and Safety Regulations also encourage awareness of risks in the workplace, and even on such activities as holidays for young people.

Today, Lewis Hamilton was involved in time trials for position on the starting grid for the F1 race at Sao Paulo. He must finish within the first five in the subsequent race if he is to win the championship but this is a highly competitive race and he will have to balance any desire to win the race against gaining the championship. One corner taken too fast or one badly timed move to overtake any of the cars that are starting in the three places ahead could prove very costly. It's all about risk management.

Then there's the Twenty20 cricket match in the Caribbean where, in the hope of winning one million pounds risks are being taken with historic test cricket. Not to mention the risks involved in the match when the prize of one million pounds for each member of the winning team is put at risk with every ball bowled or fielded, and every stroke of the bat.

Some might say that taking steps of faith is also risky. After all walking is about losing your balance if you are ever to take a forward step. For many Christians during the last 24 hours their very survival would be a matter of taking a step of faith. The only difference between taking steps of faith and running risks is that, for a Christian, faith is based upon the character and promise of God, whereas risks depend upon human skill and chance.

I guess that most of us take some risk almost every day. You would think that since , by contrast, taking steps of faith based on God's Word is utterly reliable, more people would be willing to do that.