Sin is an act or state of disobedience towards God.
11
votes
3answers
207 views
Was Enoch sinless?
I find this wording interesting in Genesis 5:24 (NIV) (my emphasis)
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
To me, this means God took Enoch to heaven. ...
6
votes
1answer
223 views
Is breaking copyright law a sin? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are Christians bound to the laws of their country?
Making illegal copies of films, music, books and games
Downloading and seeding torrents
Using someone else's ...
8
votes
3answers
212 views
What is “sin that leads to death” in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV)
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There ...
10
votes
1answer
186 views
What's the difference between judging God and questioning God?
In my answer to Can man judge whether God is fair?, I gave an example of the prophet Habakkuk questioning God in a judgmental way. God dealt with Habakkuk patiently, answering his questions.
On the ...
6
votes
2answers
132 views
Do Christian denominations vary in interpreting what is sinful or not?
I've noticed in some answers and comments the sentiment that whether an act is sinful or not is always cut-and-dried.
Does this mean that in all the ways the various denominations of Christianity ...
18
votes
3answers
3k views
Is incest a sin?
If we all descended from one man and one woman then it's quite apparent that a third generation was not possible without the sexual union of close relatives.
Does the Bible (or other Christian ...
9
votes
3answers
443 views
How could God be around Satan?
One of the explanations when I was first coming to understand why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary was something along the lines of: Sin separates us from God. God can not be around sinners, so with ...
-1
votes
3answers
170 views
What would be the implications of a selfless act that saved others but resulted in damnation for the doer? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it possible to sin while intending to do good?
There are selfless acts where we are harmed by our actions to help others.
The ultimate kind of harm for a Christian ...
5
votes
2answers
146 views
Should we refrain from sin to avoid damnation or to be good?
An answer on my question regarding the comparative magnitude of sins suggested that we should not sin so as to avoid damnation, I believe the contributor may amend that answer but it is something we ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
Can one sin be worse than another sin, or are all sins equal?
Since all evil acts come down to disobedience against god, are all evil acts equivalent? Is no sin worse than any other sin? If one sin is worse than another sin does that imply that one act can be ...
7
votes
2answers
143 views
Are there evil acts which are not sins?
The answers to the question on the essence of sin seem to form a consensus that sins are acts of disobedience against things God specifically told us not to do.
Since sin is defined as disobedience ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Are sins sinful because they are inherently acts of badness or because they are acts of disobedience against god? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the essence of sin?
Reading the question about why eating an apple is a sin and some of its answers and comments made me think.
If eating the fruit of the tree ...
14
votes
3answers
537 views
Why is it a sin to eat an apple?
Eating a fruit* is not even a real wicked deed like killing somebody or something. Why did this whole sin thing get started with something so innocuous that by today's standard it wouldn't even be ...
11
votes
1answer
524 views
Is there a Biblical Ban on Gambling?
Most churches and many Christians I know are strongly against gambling, but I can't recall any passage in the Bible that declares that we shouldn't gamble. Does such a passage exist?
To clarify ...
11
votes
2answers
154 views
Is it right for a church to be wealthy?
Jesus preached that the faithful should give up their wealth and worldly possessions and spend a humble existence in servitude of God. A church must have a certain amount of wealth in order to ...
17
votes
3answers
662 views
Should we honor our parents even if it leads us to sin?
In What does the Bible say about "bad" words? a comment was made that "I cuss in all the (two) languages I speak fluently. It's just my upbringing, and we should honor our parents, right?"
...
12
votes
3answers
726 views
Is rock music sinful / immoral?
It has been suggested to me that some Christians believe that rock music is inherently immoral, and as a result they believe that Christians would do well to avoid the entire genre.
For example, ...
4
votes
2answers
425 views
What is the greatest sin?
I understand that there is one sin that cannot be forgiven and that is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
But beyond this, what is the greatest sin that a person can commit? Either voluntarily or ...
12
votes
4answers
300 views
Why is Adam considered the original sinner?
In the Biblical account, Eve is the first to eat the forbidden fruit. Yet still the blame gets put on Adam and later on in the Bible it states that sin entered the world through one man.
Why is Adam ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Are we born sinners? [closed]
We can be quite certain that God didn't originally create us as sinners. Rather Adam and Eve chose sin in the Fall.
The doctrine of original sin is widely held in Christian churches, but those ...
4
votes
3answers
690 views
What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation
Is forgiveness and reconciliation the same thing? What needs to happen for forgiveness to occur? What needs to happen for reconciliation to take place?
15
votes
5answers
436 views
Under what conditions can a “good” or “charitable” act actually be sin?
In spite of a prevalent cultural attitude towards sin that excuses misbehavior if a person had "good intentions", most Christian traditions do not seem to include the persons feelings in the matter ...
13
votes
4answers
365 views
Why are certain non-harmful behaviors considered sins?
I would like to hear your response on this. In general, there exist a set of behaviors that Christians consider sinful, though these behaviors may not be observed to harm anybody (even the person ...
3
votes
3answers
454 views
Why is homosexuality a sin in the Bible? [closed]
First, this question assumes the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. If you disagree, that's a separate question.
Based on that assumption, my question is why is homosexuality a sin? My ...
3
votes
1answer
335 views
Does God forgive those who take his name in vain?
Christianity teaches the forgiveness of sins by God, but from the Ten Commandments in Exodus (NIV) it says something along the lines of:
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; ...
8
votes
2answers
825 views
Why do some Christians think it's not a sin to charge interest?
This article presents the view that Christians should not charge interest on loans. As evidence, it cites Nehemiah 5:9-10:
9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the ...
22
votes
5answers
2k views
Does God create some people Heterosexual and others Homosexual?
It is quite common for people who identify themselves as homosexual to say that God created them this way. Some way even go so far as to say it was a misfortune that they were born into:
...
10
votes
3answers
242 views
Are natural disasters the result of evil being allowed into our world?
I remember reading somewhere that the reason there are natural disasters on this earth is because of the evil which was allowed into it when Adam and Eve sinned. I have not been able to find this ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Is “hate the sin, love the sinner” a Christian idea?
The expression "hate the sin, love the sinner" gets thrown about in both Christian and non-Christian circles, but it does not seem to a bible verse. Is it a biblical concept or just a popular cliche? ...
13
votes
3answers
207 views
How should a christian evaluate whether a particular action a sin or not?
Since they are directly addressed in the ten commandments, most people agree that committing adultery or murder is sin; yet this world is a complicated place full of things that are not so clearly ...
-1
votes
2answers
184 views
Is smoking sinful? [closed]
I know among some Christian groups (e.g. Laestadians) almost everyone smokes, while some other groups are very strict about it. However, the Bible doesn't have cigarettes.
Is smoking sinful?
20
votes
5answers
226 views
What was it about the death of Jesus that allows God to forgive us?
I've heard many people state that it was the punishment inflicted by the Romans that allows God to forgive us. This just doesn't make any sense to me. How can a man suffer for a short while here on ...
9
votes
1answer
84 views
What was the purpose to animal sacrifices?
I've never completely understood the purpose as to why God required that the Israelite's should kill an animal in order for God to forgive them.
16
votes
4answers
713 views
How ambitious should a Christian be?
According to Luke 16:13 (ESV):
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God ...
27
votes
14answers
2k views
How can one overcome lustful desires?
Eighty Three percent of college students and fifty five percent of pastors are said to be addicted to pornography. (link) Even the most Godly men, like David (OT) has been trapped by these desires.
...
8
votes
8answers
542 views
Is Mary's virginity evidence that sex is always sinful?
It seems that sex is always a sin, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus had to be born of a virgin and not by traditional conception in order to be sinless. Is this true?
Any viewpoint is welcome.
10
votes
3answers
1k views
What does the Bible say about sex before marriage / premarital sex?
The title pretty much asks the question, but let's set the stage like this:
Two people meet in High School, have sex, then eventually get married.
What does the bible say about sex prior to ...
11
votes
4answers
649 views
When people sin against us but don't repent, should we forgive and forget?
Someone sins against us, e.g. says something unkind. They are completely unrepentant. That might be because they don't think it is a sin or they don't care (yes, I'm deliberately mentioning two ...
9
votes
4answers
731 views
Is it a sin to get a tattoo?
It says in Leviticus 19:28 (NIV)
28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on
yourselves. I am the LORD.
Does that mean it's a sin to get a tattoo? Where do mainline ...
15
votes
4answers
209 views
Do not Judge others, or do we Judge others?
I hear so much about "Do not judge others, lest you be judged." I know that there's more scripture out there that gives us a better insight into our responsibilities.
Can you please answer this ...
36
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do some Christians believe it is moral to be a homosexual?
(Note: I know this may start a firestorm, so I will be careful here.)
I believe that the Bible states that homosexuality is immoral.
I also believe that it does NOT condemn them to hell (a sin is ...
12
votes
5answers
965 views
Under what conditions does the Bible support divorce?
It seems that Jesus talks out against divorce. But in other places, divorce is allowed. How does this all play out and where does the bible really stand on this? Is it a sin or is it just part of ...
8
votes
2answers
714 views
When are children held accountable for ther sins? [closed]
There's an interesting topic regarding the salvation of unborn babies that inspired this question.
I believe that babies that die previous to birth go to heaven. I also believe that young children ...
29
votes
12answers
1k views
How to answer “Why do evil and suffering exist?”
I believe that evil exists because God gave us free will. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of this The Fall of man happened and drew us away from God. Suffering exists not only because God can ...
13
votes
10answers
375 views
What is the essence of sin?
There are bound to be lots of questions like "Is X or Y a sin?". However, what is sin at its root and where in the Bible do we get our understanding of it?
22
votes
5answers
954 views
What does the bible say about homosexuality?
I was recently listening to a podcast and the preacher said that he has looked through the entire bible and could not find anywhere where it says that homosexuality was a sin.
Where does the bible ...
21
votes
7answers
1k views
Sex outside of marriage is a sin. But what about “less than sex”?
Inspired by Is masturbation a sin?
This is a tough subject that I've grappled with my whole life. It's clear in God's word that sex outside of marriage (adultery) is a sin.
But, what is acceptable ...
30
votes
9answers
4k views
Is masturbation a sin?
There's definitely two sides to this coin, some people say that masturbation is not a sin that leads to death, others say that it's a sin because Jesus commands us to deny the desires of our flesh.
...
