Transcript nature of sin

NATURE OF SIN
Theological Reflection
Grace and Sin
as Relational Realities
Christian
life is basically a love
relationship expressed in the
service of God and neighbor.
To say we are in the state of
grace is to say we are living in
a positive relationship of love
with God, whereas living in the
state of sin means that we have
broken our love relationship
with God.
Vincent Genovesi
Fundamental Option
The basic commitment for or against
God made by a human person – the
basic orientation of his life in relation
to God – either towards obedience
and fidelity or to selfishness and
disobedience of God could be called
the fundamental option. This basic
commitment gives unity to the moral
and spiritual life of a man and, as St.
Thomas Aquinas noted, is “not easily
lost”
(De Veritate, 27, 1 and 9).
Towards God
: (Self –
Giving)
A Life in
Grace
Away from God
: (Self –
Absorbing)
The Psychological Dimension
The human person is a
complex, multi-level being
with different levels of
personal involvement in
the making of moral
decisions.
Small, unimportant decisions
More serious decisions
Core, lifeorienting
decisions
We
engage the outer
portions of the psyche when
we make ordinary everyday
decisions.
Serious decisions engage
us far more profoundly and
touch our deep convictions
At the very core of our being
the whole direction and
orientation of our life is made.
Fundamental Option and
Human Actions
Human
actions do not constitute
a plurality of isolated,
disconnected good or sinful
deeds, which can be sufficiently
understood and judged each by
itself. They usually have their
roots in basic decisions which
give purpose and determination
to the whole of man’s life.
Karl Peschke
Fundamental Option and
Human Actions
Thus, the question we need to
ask is not so much “what wrong
things have I done and how
often?” Rather we should be
asking ourselves “how do the
wrong things I have done indicate
my general orientation to God, my
love for God, my love for my
neighbor? The real question is:
“what are the desires, the
tendencies, the habits, the values
that govern my life?” “Where is
my life heading?” - Ian Knox
References
Aurelio Fernandez and James Socias. Our Moral Life in Christ: A
Basic Course on Moral Theology. Scepter Publishers, Inc.:
Princeton, New Jersey. 1997.
Vincent J. Genovesi. In Pursuit of Love: Catholic Morality and
Human Sexuality, 2nd edition. Jesuit Communications
Foundation, Inc.: Quezon City, Philippines. 2003.
Ian Knox. Theology for Teachers, 2nd edition. Novalis: Ottawa,
Canada. 1994.
Karl H. Peschke. Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of
Vatican II. Divine Word Publications: Manila. 1996.