Introduction: 

We begin this course with reading Chapter 10 of The Reason for God followed by viewing several video clips of Tim Keller addressing some of the issues raised in his book. In this chapter Keller discusses sin. He particularly discusses the doctrine of sin observing  that the doctrine of sin is, in fact, optimistic, because sinfulness is something that we can work against. People aren't "helpless victim[s] of psychological drives or social systems." He argues people can't readily change their psychological drives, and social systems that can be changed can only be modified through a long and arduous process that often exceeds a single human lifetime. If those are the sources of our wrongdoing, then we are forced to endure without relief. However when sin is situated in individuals and as a chosen behavior or value - something the individuals have chosen to do then there's hope, since we have the capacity to improve ourselves. In this way the doctrine of sin holds out hope for redemption.

After having completed the readings for this session and reviewed the accompanying video you may choose - on a purely optional basis - to answer the study questions and submit them at etwimber@hotmail.com or to contact Dr. Wimberley by phone or email to request a time for dialogue about what you have learned. You may do so by phone or dialogue via Skype or Facetime. Dr. Wimberley's phone number is 239.405.4164. We may convene group meetings of the class using the Zoom application on our computers. You can enroll in this course by emailing etwimber@hotmail.com or by texting Dr. Wimberley at 239.405.4164.

Readings: 

Keller, Timothy (2009) The Reason for God. New York, NY: Penguin, Chapter 10; Chapter Slides

Video: 

Tim Kellor on Sin; How Sin Makes Us Addicts; Sin As Slavery.

Study Questions:

1. Every Sunday morning, we communally confess our sins in the liturgy.  What meaning does this communal act carry for you?  What could make this act even more meaningful for you?
2. Keller begins by positing that we already know sin exists: “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that there is something fundamentally wrong with the world” (p. 159).  Do you agree that it’s valid to define what is broken in the world as sin?  Why or why not?  And given all the things that are broken in the world, what questions does that raise in your mind about God?
3. Keller writes: “Sin is the despairing refusal to find your identity in your relationship and service to God.  Sin is seeking to become oneself, to get an identity, apart for him” (p. 162).  Have you ever thought about sin as a matter of finding one’s identity?  Does this make sense to you?  Why or why not?  Have you heard a more helpful definition of sin?
4. How would you talk with a person who denies the existence of sin in their own life?  Would you ever talk with them about the personal, social, and cosmic consequences of sin?
5. Looking back on your life, when did you realize that sin had consequences?
6. Keller claims that Christian doctrine of sin can be a great resource for human hope.  Did this chapter give you hope?  What is the greatest resource of hope in your life?