This dramatic story of Dr. Nathanson's personal moral conversion can help us to reflect on the following questions about the nature of sin and conversion:
What is sin?
Where did sin orginate, and ion what does it consist?
What personal responsibility do we bear for sin?
What are the means to conversion and the forgiveness of sin?
Introduction
a. All physical evils are the result of Adam's sin.
b. Moral evil, on the other hand, is always freely committed and can always be avoided. A person is therefore guilty of sin if he chooses moral evil.
Definition of sin
a. Sin is any deed, word or desire against eternal law. (St. Augustine)
b. Sin is voluntary transgression of the Divine moral law. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
c. Sin is a turning away from God, to creatures, ina disordered way. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
The real meaning of sin in the Bible.
Sin as a personal act.
The loss of the meaning of sin.
a. Cultural and ethical relativism
b. Incorrect statements of modern psychology
c. The confusion between morality and legality
d. Secularism
Divisions of sin
a. By its origin: original or actual
b. By its gravity: moral or venial
c. By its intent: formal or material
d. By its manner: commission or omission
e. By its manifestation: external or internal
Cooperation in evil.
Effects of sin
Conversion and forgiveness.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Justification
Contrition
Conversion
Vocabulary: actual sin, attrition, complete consent, contrition, external sin, formal sin, full knowledge, grave matter, habitual sin, internal sin, material sin, mortal sin, numerical distinction, occasion of sin, original sin, secularism (secular humanism), sin, sin of commission, sin of omission, specific distinction, venial sin.
Questions
Compare and contrast the three definitions of sin given in the chapter (from Augustine and Aquinas).
List some of the terms used by the sacred writers of the Bible to convery the evil of sin.
Why is sin always a personal act?
List some examples regarding modern society's denial of the reality of sin.
List and briefly explain the four factors that contribute to the loss of the sense of sin.
What are the five classifications of sin?
What led to original sin?
What were the consequences of original sin?
How does the actual sin differ from original sin?
What are the consequences of actual sin?
Contrast mortal sin with venial sin.
List the three conditions necessary to commit a mortal sin.
What is the lowest form of existence?
Why should venial sin be avoided?
Are there any circumstances under which something that is venial can become mortal sin?
What is the difference between a sin of omission and a sin of commission?
What is meant by social sin?
What is the usual means of forgiveness in the Catholic Church?
Is it possible for sin to be forgiven without contrition, even though we go to Confession?