Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 1.5B2

[Consider the nested form of thinkgroup3(sin2(consciencelacking1)) and ask yourself:

Do particularly bad transgressions automatically fix attitudes (consciencelacking) and require self-justifying beliefs (thinkgroup)?

Are some sins so cruel that one could never perform them without blaspheming?

Are some sins so “being with Cupid” that one is instantly in the erotic thralls of concupiscence and the only way forward is self-justification?

These are the behaviors – the sins – that Ted Peters focused on in his book entitled Sin:Radical Evil in Self and Society.  These sins are called “mortal”.

Other sins, when habitually performed, may eventually produce the same results.  These are the “trespasses” mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

These are the behaviors – the sins – that Karl Menninger often focused on in his book entitled Whatever Became of Sin?  These sins are called “venial”.]