Could it be that sin--determined by a fixed set of norms--is the best explanation for the behavior and problems we see in our world? Whether or not you believe in the biblical concept of sin, open-mindedly consider the claims that there are standards that derive from a higher source than society. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that we will be judged accordingly and that the Judge Himself has provided a way to have the standard met in a very surprising way. One section of our special focus features the controversial Christian doctrine of original sin, which states that, through the first transgressor, all are guilty. See our special focus.
—Byron Barlowe, Editor/Webmaster, Leadership University
Can't I Just Live a Good Moral Life? Dr. Alan Scholes Chapter 4 of Dr. Alan Scholes' book The Artful Dodger: A Skeptic Confronts Christianity. The story of one skeptic's confrontation with Christian beliefs. This chapter examines the questions: "How could God condemn anyone?" "Isn't man basically good?" "What about someone who's never heard?"
Character Deficiency Syndrome Garry D. Nation What causes character defects? Contemporary answers to this query usually suggest "disease" or "dysfunction" as the root cause for violence and other problems. The Bible offers a different answer. In particular, the Old Testament differentiates four stages of moral depravity.
Triumph of the Therapeutic: The President at Willow Creek Chuck Colson I thought I had spoken my last words about the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. Like most Americans, I'm sick of it. Then, on the eve of his farewell address to the Democratic National Convention, President Clinton discussed the subject before 4,000 pastors assembled at the Willow Creek Church in Illinois.
Blaise Pascal: An Apologist for Our Times Rick Wade The author examines the contemporary relevance of the apologetics of Blaise Pascal, a seventeenth century mathematician, scientist, inventor, and Christian apologist.
Overhaul at Stanford Heather Williams A Stanford undergrad tells how Christ changed her life in college, and specifically addresses the issue of sin.
Why a Moral Life Won't Get Us to Heaven Jimmy Williams "Won't a good, moral life get me to heaven?" The answer is no, and the author spells out why, including how we CAN get to heaven.
Original Sin: A Disputation Edward T. Oakes Oakes begins, "Even in those denominations that pride themselves on their adherence to the orthodox dogmas of the once-universal Church, the doctrine of original sin is met with either embarrassed silence...or at a minimum a kind of halfhearted lip service." NOTE: Oakes uses the Thomist method of fairly putting forth the opposing view without comment, then offering his own view.
Original Sin Redeemed Review by James G. Williams Review of The Joy of Being Wrong: Original Sin Through Easter Eyes by James Alison. Williams favorably reviews Alison's reinterpretation, inspired by Rene Girard, of original sin in light of redemption.
Forgiveness John Studebaker "We no longer see ourselves as 'sinners' in need of forgiveness. Maybe sin used to be a problem, but now we've outgrown that. So while the church has a solution for the problem of sin, it's a non-problem in the eyes of most Americans--at least not a serious problem."
Go here to see our past Special Focus features.