9 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is harmatology?
The study of sin in Christian theology.
Why is understanding sin important?
It helps us understand ethics, Jesus’ life, death, and how people can be saved.
What are the key questions about human nature after the fall?
Are humans naturally good, partly good and bad, or deeply corrupted needing God’s grace?
Who debated the nature of human sinfulness in the early church?
Pelagius and Augustine.
What was Pelagius’ view on human nature?
Humans are not deeply sinful and just need to follow Jesus’ example and God’s law.
What was Augustine’s view on human nature?
Humans are born deeply sinful and need God’s grace to be saved.
What does ‘original sin’ mean?
The idea that everyone is born with sin and corruption from Adam and Eve.
How did Augustine influence Christian thought?
His idea of original sin shaped Western Christianity, emphasizing total depravity and the need for grace.
What does ‘total depravity’ mean?
Humans are completely affected by sin in every part of their being.
Is total depravity unique to Christianity?
Yes, no other religion teaches that humans are totally corrupted by sin from birth.
What are the four major aspects of sin according to the Bible?
Bad acts, bad attitudes, bad faith, and being bad at birth (natural sinfulness).
What is ‘sin as bad acts’?
Doing things that break God’s law.
What is ‘sin as bad attitudes’?
Having hateful or lustful thoughts that are sinful even without acting on them.
What is ‘sin as bad faith’?
Not trusting God or refusing to believe in His saving power.
What is ‘sin as bad at birth’?
Being born with a sinful nature, a natural tendency to do wrong.
What Bible verse defines sin as breaking the law?
1 John 3:4.
What Bible verse says ‘Whatsoever is not of faith is sin’?
Romans 14:23.
What does Ellen White say about sin?
She agrees sin is breaking God’s law but also says sin is distrust and rebellion against God.
What is the ‘relational’ definition of sin?
Sin is a broken relationship with God, including attitudes and faithlessness.
What do many Adventists worry about regarding ‘birth sin’?
That it means we’re guilty from birth or that God controls everyone’s destiny.
How does Ellen White view ‘birth sin’?
We are born spiritually damaged but not guilty from birth; we need God’s help to overcome sin.
Who were Martin Luther and John Calvin in relation to sin?
They were Christian leaders who emphasized human sinfulness and the need for God’s grace.
What does ‘soteriology’ mean?
The study of salvation.
What does ‘sanctification’ mean?
The process of becoming holy or more like Jesus.
