I recently read a book by a religious expert and he profoundly changed my perception of sin. He argued that the word "sin" as it is used in the Bible is taken from a Greek archery word meaning, "missing the mark". How profoundly that changes the definition of sin. Instead of sin being an act of evil, it is simply a deviation from the target. The question becomes, "what is the target?" Some will argue that God's will is the target, but there is something interesting about that reasoning.
It reminded me of a discussion I had with the pastor of my church when I was growing up. The pastor had given a sermon on the Garden of Eden story. He argued that man's first sin was eating from the tree of knowledge, and therefore defying God's will. I asked the Pastor a rather innocent question. If God created man knowing everything that man would do, then how could God not know that man would defy his will? There is only one answer to that question. God knew that man would defy him, and he created man not only knowing so, but with every intention that man would do so. He could have easily created man in such a way that man would not defy God, but God wanted man to defy him.
This created two distinct theories. The first is what is known as the "life is a test" theory of existence. God created man to test him, and to see if he could find his way back to God's ultimate will. The second is known is the "God created man in his own image" theory of existence. In essence, God bestowed every man with his own unique path to follow in life, and it is God's will that each man find that path for himself.
If you follow the Bible, you very likely follow a "life is a test" theory because you believe that the scriptures represent an ultimate law and deviating from that law as written is sin. If your spiritual quest is self guided, then you likely follow the "God created man in his own image" theory because you believe that only you can determine what God's purpose was for you and sin represents deviating from the path that was etched into your heart.
Frankly, 99% of the happy and decent people I have met in life fall into the latter camp. They don't follow the Bible, they live a life of self reflection and correction in an attempt to find the path that is right for them.
This is why I detest the Bible. While it is beautiful poetry, it represents the paths for some men, but not all. It is the assumption that this book, written by men, is the absolutist path, which has caused such heartache and turmoil within the Christian faith.
While I withhold judgment of whether or not "God" or "sin" exist, I do recognize the wisdom in the quest for happiness and self actualization. If sin is defined as missing the mark of true happiness, then I think anyone could seek in their own way to find it.
It reminded me of a discussion I had with the pastor of my church when I was growing up. The pastor had given a sermon on the Garden of Eden story. He argued that man's first sin was eating from the tree of knowledge, and therefore defying God's will. I asked the Pastor a rather innocent question. If God created man knowing everything that man would do, then how could God not know that man would defy his will? There is only one answer to that question. God knew that man would defy him, and he created man not only knowing so, but with every intention that man would do so. He could have easily created man in such a way that man would not defy God, but God wanted man to defy him.
This created two distinct theories. The first is what is known as the "life is a test" theory of existence. God created man to test him, and to see if he could find his way back to God's ultimate will. The second is known is the "God created man in his own image" theory of existence. In essence, God bestowed every man with his own unique path to follow in life, and it is God's will that each man find that path for himself.
If you follow the Bible, you very likely follow a "life is a test" theory because you believe that the scriptures represent an ultimate law and deviating from that law as written is sin. If your spiritual quest is self guided, then you likely follow the "God created man in his own image" theory because you believe that only you can determine what God's purpose was for you and sin represents deviating from the path that was etched into your heart.
Frankly, 99% of the happy and decent people I have met in life fall into the latter camp. They don't follow the Bible, they live a life of self reflection and correction in an attempt to find the path that is right for them.
This is why I detest the Bible. While it is beautiful poetry, it represents the paths for some men, but not all. It is the assumption that this book, written by men, is the absolutist path, which has caused such heartache and turmoil within the Christian faith.
While I withhold judgment of whether or not "God" or "sin" exist, I do recognize the wisdom in the quest for happiness and self actualization. If sin is defined as missing the mark of true happiness, then I think anyone could seek in their own way to find it.