SIN-DENIAL
Sin is still here. It is just that people do not so willingly acknowledge that fact. A spade is no longer called a spade, but some euphemism. The little boy says to his mother, “Why is it whenever I do anything bad, it’s because I’m a bad boy; but whenever you do anything bad, it’s because you’re nervous?” It is nerves rather than sin. It is our glands rather than sin. It is what we eat, the environment, our biorhythm, rather than sin, it is anything but sin. Sin denies that it is sin.
John Gerstner
The Problem of Pleasure, Soli Deo Gloria, 2002, p. 4.
The only thing that has happened to sin is that people now, rather than affirming it by affirming it, prefer to affirm it by denying it… When they call me a sinner because I ought to know better than to affirm sin, they are themselves affirming sin. Though sinning itself is bad enough, denying sin is an additional sin, so that those who deny sin are actually double sinners.
John Gerstner
The Problem of Pleasure, Soli Deo Gloria, 2002, p. 6.
In all of the
laments and reproaches made by our seers and prophets, one misses any mention
of “sin,” a word which used to be a veritable watchword of prophets. It was a
word once in everybody’s mind, but now rarely if ever heard. Does that mean
that no sin is involved in all our troubles – sin with an “I” in the middle? Is
no one any longer guilty of anything? Guilty perhaps of a sin
that could be repented and repaired or atoned for? Is it only that
someone may be stupid or sick or criminal – or asleep? Wrong things are being
done… But is no one responsible, no one answerable for these acts? Anxiety and
depression we all acknowledge; and even vague guilt feelings; but has no one
committed any sin?
Karl Menninger
Whatever Became of Sin? Hawthorn, 1973, p. 13.
The sin that
nobody deals with is the sin that everybody deals with.
Author Unknown
If the
knowledge of sin crushes, it crushes pride, not our selves.
Edward T. Welch
Blame
in on the Brain? P&R Publishing, 1998, p. 123.
“Sinner” is a
present-tense description of everyone, including those who have put their faith
in Christ. Of course, those who have called Jesus “Lord” are justified, meaning
that they are no longer guilty. Also, they have been given the Spirit, which
makes them slaves to Christ rather than to sin. But we all are sinners. Perfection
awaits eternity.
Edward T. Welch
When People are Big and God is Small, P&R
Publishing, 1997, p. 150. Used by Permission.
Man, in his
own wisdom, has developed a vast number of philosophies and theories seeking to
explain one’s thoughts, words, and actions. In doing so, man has pridefully sought to deny his own sinfulness and has
confused any clear definition of God’s standards of right and wrong.
Biblical Counseling
Foundation
Self-Confrontation Manuel, Lesson 4, Page 1,
Used by Permission of the Biblical Counseling Foundation.
A sin is two
sins when it is defended.
Henry Smith
A Puritan Golden Treasury, compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 101.
A ministry
which is weak and flabby on the subject of sin is a useless ministry. A
preaching ministry that does not result in conviction of sin is useless. If is does not wound, how can it heal? The good news is only for sinners.
Erroll Hulse
Who Are the Puritans? Evangelical Press, p.
172.
The
overwhelming recognition of human sin controls the Old Testament and the New
Testament alike, and no understanding of our Lord's words and actions is
possible if we persist in denying it.
Sir Edwyn
Hoskyns