SIN

Chapter 7 of textbook

• Original sin – This is the act of disobedience committed by Adam and Eve at the beginning of history. – Every person is born with its

effect on his/her soul that inclines us toward sin.

– Although physical evils are an unavoidable result of Original Sin, we have the ability to avoid moral evils if we so choose.

ORIGINAL SIN

• St. Augustine defines sin as any deed, word, or desire against eternal (and natural) law.

• St. Thomas Aquinas defines sin as:– The voluntary transgression

of the divine moral law.• For example:

– Breaking one of the Ten Commandments

– Turning away from God in a disordered way• Not following God’s will

SIN ACCORDING TO AUGUSTINE AND AQUINAS

• There are five classifications of sin:– By its origin

• Original or Actual– By its gravity

• Mortal or venial– By its intent

• Formal or material– By its manner

• Commission or omission– By its manifestation

• External or internal

DIVISIONS OF SIN

• Original sin originates with the first parents (Adam and Eve)

• Actual sin is the sin committed by each one of us.– So, all of our sins are actual

sins

SIN BY ORIGIN: ORIGINAL AND ACTUAL SIN

• A mortal sin is a grave offense against God that destroys our relationship with him by severing us from His divine love.

• There are three conditions for mortal sin:– Grave matter

• This is specified by the Ten Commandments and includes serious violations of the natural law

– Full knowledge• The sinful character of the act is

known– Complete consent

• It is a personal choice

• A venial sin is a less serious offense that offends the love of God. – It does not separate us from God, but

weakens our relationship with Him.

SINS BY GRAVITY: MORTAL AND VENIAL

• A formal sin is a voluntary and freely chosen action contrary to the law of God.

• A material sin is an involuntary transgression committed without either required knowledge or full deliberation.– There is no fault since the

perpetrator is not aware that it is a sin.

SIN BY INTENT: FORMAL OR MATERIAL

• A sin of commission is the choice to do an evil act. – Stealing is an example of

this

• A sin of omission occurs when a required act is omitted.– Choosing to miss Mass on

Sunday is an example.– Basically this is knowing the

right thing to do and intentionally not doing it.

SIN BY ITS MATTER: COMMISSION OR OMISSION

• External sin is committed with words or actions.

• Internal sin is found in thought or desire.– delectatio morosa - the

pleasure taken in a sinful thought or imagination even without desiring it

– gaudium - dwelling with complacency on sins already committed

– desiderium - the desire for what is sinful

SIN BY MANIFESTATION:EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL

• The capital vices (or seven deadly sins) are not called this because they are the worst sins imaginable.

• Rather, it is not the gravity of the vice in itself that makes it capital but rather the fact that it gives rise to many other sins.– The word capital comes

from the latin caput, meaning “head”.

CAPITAL VICES(SEVEN DEADLY SINS)

• The seven deadly sins are as follows:– Lust

• Intense sexual desire– Gluttony

• Over-indulgence or over-consumption of anything

– Greed• Desire for possessions

– Sloth• Laziness

– Wrath• Uncontrolled feelings of hatred or rage

– Envy• Jealousy of something that someone else

has and a desire to obtain it– Pride

• Excessive admiration of oneself (believing you are better than others)

CAPITAL VICES (SEVEN DEADLY SINS)

• St. Thomas Aquinas listed 7 contrary virtues that counter the 7 deadly sins:

• Humility– Selflessness

• This counters pride• Liberality

– Generosity• This counters greed

• Chastity– Sexual purity/wholesomeness

• This counters lust• Meekness

– Being patient and forgiving• This counters wrath

• Temperance– Self-control and moderation

• This counters gluttony• Kindness

– Concern for others• This counters envy

• Diligence– Persistence

• This counter sloth

CAPITAL VIRTUES

• Sacraments

• Grace

HOW TO COUNTER SIN?