B4 – Social Dimension of Sin – Lecture.doc -.

(IV. Anthropology and Hamartiology)

*****
(B. Hamartiology)
*****
5. The Social Dimension of Sin
most of previous discussion concern individual sin
Bible also speak frequently of group/collective sin
cf. the prophetic preaching against oppressive social conditions for which the
society was held responsible
If the sin of mankind has distorted the entire creation, certainly its social
structures are included
a. The Difficulty of Recognizing Social Sin
we may be quite aware of individual sin, but less of sins of a group of which we
are a part
1.) We are not inclined to regard as our own deeds matters in which we do not
have a very active choice.
2.) We may be so conditioned by membership in a group that our very perception
of reality is colored by it.
3.) We may not recognize group selfishness because it may actually involve
individual unselfishness.
4.) Our excesses may be much less obvious because we are part of a group.
5.) The further removed we are from the actual evil, the less real it seems.
Accordingly, we are less likely to see ourselves as responsible.
b. The Biblical Teaching
1.) The World (kosmos)
a.) The world as a whole organized system of spiritual force is a fact. It is the
very embodiment of evil. It is totally antithetical and opposed to the
things of Christ.
has a status apart from/independent of any individual human will, a
subsistence of its own, an organized or structured basis
hostility/enmity/opposition to Christ/believer/church/
God's kingdom
Jn. 7:7 - the world hates Christ
Jn. 15:18f - the world hates the believer
Jn. 17:14
 B4 – Social Dimension of Sin – Lecture.doc -. 2

Eph. 2:2f - the course of this world, following the prince of the power
of the air; the spirit that is now at work in the sons of
disobedience
Col. 2:8 - "elemental spirits" - cf. below
totally different worldview - different spirit involved
1 Cor. 1:20-27 - things of God are foolish to the world
1 Cor. 2:12ff - spirit of the world vs. the spirit which is from God
Jn. 14:17-22 - world can't receive the Spirit - it can't see him or know
him
Jn. 17:25 - world not know the Father or son
b.) The world is under Satan's control. The persons and institutions that
exercise negative influence in this world are not the ultimate source of
the evil which occurs.
Eph. 2:2 - prince of the power of the air
1 Jn. 14:30 - the whole world is under the power of the evil one
Mt. 4:8f - note that Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world
c.) The world is clearly evil.
note the self-centered orientation of people of this world
the world system is the embodiment of all that is corrupt; it defiles all
those under its control/influence
Thus, the Christian must avoid falling under its influence.
Jesus & his followers should separate from the world
Jas. 1:27 - keep oneself unstained by the world
Jas. 4:4 - being a friend of the world makes one an enemy of God
1 Jn. 2:15ff - lust/pride not of the Father but of the world
this is not just avoidance (negative); we must act as salt and light to
show righteousness to the world (positive)
Phil. 2:15 - lights in the world
Mt. 5:16 - let your light shine
though we should expect opposition/rejection/hostility
Jn. 3:19-21 - men prefer darkness
d.) Powerful as are the world's system and ruler, they have been judged and
are doomed it can't overcome the believer
1 Cor. 11:32 - the world is already judged
(1 Cor. 6:2 - believers will someday judge the world)
 B4 – Social Dimension of Sin – Lecture.doc -. 3

1 Jn. 4:4f - greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world

1 Jn. 5:4f - one who believes in Jesus overcomes the world
stoicei
stoicei`
2.) The Powers (stoiceia
` - stoicheia)
note the extensive Jewish angelology of the NT era - Paul adapt rather than
adopt this (he viewed them more impersonally; not = angels for Paul)
= created realities which give an order to society and are capable of having
either a constructive or detrimental effect
not inherently evil, though fall alienate and separate them from God
behind the visible structures and institutions of society and culture, evil
forces are at work using these invisible powers to enslave and bind
believers, to attack them and do them harm
Eph. 6:12 - we battle against spiritual opponents
Christ has defeated these powers he disarmed them/neutralized them; he
made a public example of them; his victory makes clear the great
deception that they are the ultimate realities of the universe
Gal. 3:1-5 - he triumphed over them, though this yet to be fully realized
Col. 2:13-15 - Christ as Lord even of these realties
1 Cor. 15:24f, 54-57 - Christ will destroy every rule and authority
Rom. 8:18-25 - deliverance of the creation from bondage to futility
3.) Corporate Personality [corporate solidarity]
actions of individuals not regarded as isolated actions; can't always be
separated from actions of the group
Josh. 7 - Achan incident cause whole nation to suffer defeat
Rom. 5 - Adam sin affected all
We always find ourselves, in the decisions and actions of our lives, functioning
within the context of society, and conditioned by its realities.
governmentally
vocationally
intellectual structures
family
disease
geographically
 B4 – Social Dimension of Sin – Lecture.doc -. 4

c. Strategies for Overcoming Social Sin

1.) Regeneration
regard social dimension of sin as merely the compilation of individual sins
the unit of morality is the individual
alteration of society take place by changing the individuals who compose it
note strongly evangelistic strain
2.) Reform
acknowledge that problems broader than the individual
work at change through political channels/economic boycott/nonviolent
resistance
3.) Revolution
most radical approach
structures so corrupt that can't be redeemed/reformed
(presuppose that once a structure is gone, so is its influence)
problem must be attacked by combination of 1 & 2