The website article where I retrieved this information was from USA Today.com The basic premise of this article was to explore the topic of sin and whether or not it still hold any specific meaning in today’s culture. The article was given in a fair manner by not only supplying survey information against the validity of the existence of “sin”, but also providing interview and speech quotes for its existence and the dire need to understand that it has real consequences if not addressed in the proper manor.
Of the surveys submitted, it was clear that the concept of “sin” and its effects and ramifications on society has become a backburner issue. “David Kinnaman, president of Barna Research, a company in Ventura, Calif., that tracks Christian trends, draws a similar conclusion: "People are quick to toe the line on traditional thinking" that there is sin "but interpret that reality in a very personal and self-congratulatory manner" — I have to do what's best for me; I am not as sinful as most.” (Grossman, 2008,) by taking such a view we underestimate the power sin has in our lives and what that kind of mindset can actually cost us in the long run.
The article also examined how ministers in today’s society speak about sin. The comment was made that sin is taboo and it is not something that most people like to discuss, but today’s ministers also understand that it must be talked about in order for the rest of the story to make sense. One popular preacher has decided to not talk about sin, but rather to talk about change. Joel Olsteen was quoted as saying, "Most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church, I want to tell them that you can change." (Grossman, 2008,) For all practical purposes I agree that we should tell people they can change, however; I would say that most people understand that they can change; but what they need to understand is why they must change.
Mark Driscoll was also interviewed and his take on the taboo word of sin was this, “…a little talk of hellfire, so out of fashion these days, would do the world good.” He defines sin as "anything contrary to God's will. People assume the way they are is normal, not that something has gone terribly wrong, and this world is abnormal…without an idea of sin, Easter is meaningless." (Grossman, 2008,)
Sin must be recognized as the poison that it is. If it is not dealt with according to the plan laid out in the word of God, then it is truly not dealt with, only forgotten or ignored. That kind of mindset will only last for so long.
References
Grossman, C. L., (2008). Usatoday: Has the “notion of sin” been lost? Retrieved August
29, 2009, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-19-sin_N.htm
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