Sin in the New Testament

In the New Testament sin is not merely an individual, privatized transgression of a moral standard (sins is typically used for specific transgressions). It is far more radical than that. Sin is a mistrustful state of being that moves us from communion to alienation by means of disobedience and pride.

Scripture uses the term rebellion to designate this state of being. Rebellion focuses on a reaction to a prescribed code of conduct. Indeed, we have all rebelled against God’s holy law.

The term reactive nuances how rebellion expresses itself in our relationships. Our reactive state of being is like a virus infecting every relationship. It is like a cancer wreaking havoc on the relational core of our very being. Because of its reactivity we fall short in our capacity for communion in profound ways. In fact, our communion experience is now restricted and ruptured. It is bruised and broken because of its reactive mistrust of God and each other. We are conscripted to our “willed aloneness.”