On the definition of sin
In this week’s discussion question, we were asked to evaluate each of our authors’ attempts to provide a working definition of sin. Needham defines sin in a number of ways while Erickson tries to be more theologically precise, then Hall gives a very broad perspective on the subject. We were asked to identify the definition of sin we think is most clear and expand it in our own words in a couple of paragraphs. The following is my response.
Often times, the last words we say to each other are intended to have the most impact. In his concluding words to his first letter, the apostle John writes in 1 John 5:21, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”[1]With a superficial reading, this statement does not seem to follow the thought pattern in the previous verses in the chapter. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that his statement is a summary of the chapter, if not a summary of the letter itself. Specifically, John’s final words are immediately preceded by the repeated instruction by the apostle on how all followers of Jesus should not continue to sin. In his letter, John gives us the various tests that readers can use to determine whether or not their fellowship with God is sincere. He teaches that the proof of true biblical salvation is evidenced by a life of active righteousness. Therefore, a strong case can be made that John is making a direct connection between idolatry and sin.
It is instructive to note that John’s wording in 1 John 5:21 implies that idolatry isn’t simply one of many sins, as believed by one of our authors, David Needham.[2] I believe there is ample evidence that idolatry is the mechanism through which all sin is derived. In fact, Millard Erickson states, “Idolatry in any form, … is the essence of sin.”[3] He partially bases his conclusion on the first prohibition in the law of Moses, namely, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Erickson settles the matter when he quotes Jesus in Mark 12:30, where Jesus states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
God declares in Exodus 34:14, “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” It is important that our counselees understand that God does not simply view Himself at the top of an organizational chart. He is not one of many things in their lives that He wants to be in first place over. God does not view Himself as being in competition with other things in their lives. As a matter of fact, He does not view it as a competition at all. This is made clear in the New Living Translation where it states God’s command in Exodus 20:3 as, “You must not have any other god but me.” In other words, God is saying that we shall have no other god in His presence … none at all.
In conclusion, each of our counselees (and our) list of idols is typically quite long. As we all know, idols go by many names. Yes, it is true that in Old Testament times, “Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles,” while other kings similarly attempted to eliminate other forms of idolatry from the presence of Israel. We too must help our counselees (and ourselves) to rid their lives of idolatry, the essence of sin itself. In 1 John 2:1, John makes it quite clear when he writes, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” The teaching against sin (idolatry) is uncomplicated and explicit. Unfortunately, believers do sin. Fortunately, John concludes this verse with the statement, “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” I agree with Erickson when he writes that sin is “placing something else, anything else, in the supreme place which is His.”[4] This is idolatry in its purest form and is a true representation of sin itself. Erickson clears up any misunderstanding when he states, “choosing oneself rather than God is not wrong because self is chosen, but because something other than God is chosen.”[5] For all of these reasons, I believe that the simplest, succinct, yet most comprehensive definition of sin is “idolatry.”
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced employ The Holy Bible, New International Version (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984).
[2] David C. Needham, Birthright: Christian, Do You Know Who You Are? (Sisters: Multnomah Press, 1999), 40.
[3] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013), 530.
[4] Ibid., 530.
[5] Ibid., 530.