8. Sin against God (Vertical Dimension)
8.1 Violation of Divine Holiness
All sin is first and foremost theological—a rupture in relationship with the Holy God. King David confessed, “Against You, You alone, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4 NRSV). Though his transgression harmed others, he recognised that every offence ultimately violates divine holiness. Sin thus represents not only moral failure but personal rebellion against the Creator’s character (Isaiah 6:3–5).
The holiness of God is the moral measure of the universe (Leviticus 19:2). Because He is perfectly pure and just, even the smallest deviation constitutes unholiness. Hence, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin against God breaks covenant fellowship and replaces worship with idolatry—trusting creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:21–23).
8.2 Idolatry, Unbelief and Rebellion
At the heart of sin against God lies idolatry—the substitution of any created thing for God’s ultimate authority. The first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–4) forbid this because idolatry distorts divine truth and enslaves the soul. Unbelief compounds the problem: it refuses the testimony of God’s Word and the call to trust (John 3:18–19). Both idolatry and unbelief express rebellion—the assertion of self-sovereignty over divine rule.
The prophets repeatedly identified such rebellion as the root of national downfall (Jeremiah 2:11–13). In theological terms, sin against God is theocentric inversion—placing the creature in the Creator’s position (Barth, 1932). Pride, the primordial sin, is thus the archetype of all others (Lewis, 1942).
8.3 The Unity of the Law and the One Lawgiver
James 2:10–11 affirms that “whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at one point is guilty of breaking all.” The principle rests upon the unity of God Himself: “There is one Lawgiver and Judge” (James 4:12). Because the commandments flow from one divine source, violation of any commandment constitutes rebellion against the entire moral order. Deuteronomy 6:4–5 declares, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one,” linking divine unity with ethical wholeness. Consequently, sin against God is not fragmentary; it is comprehensive defiance of His authority.
9. Sin against Humanity (Horizontal Dimension)
9.1 Social and Ethical Offences
The second half of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:12–17) addresses interpersonal ethics—honour, fidelity, truth, and justice. Violating these is sin against fellow human beings and, by extension, against the image of God in them (Genesis 1:27). Scripture consistently links love of neighbour with love of God (Leviticus 19:18; 1 John 4:20).
9.2 Breach of Neighbourly Love
Jesus summarised the Law as love of God and neighbour (Matthew 22:37–40). Every failure to love—whether hatred, exploitation, or indifference—constitutes sin. The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals that moral righteousness requires active compassion (Luke 10:33–37). Injustice, partiality, or neglect of the poor violate divine justice (Amos 5:12; Micah 6:8). Human sin fractures community and breeds violence, envy, and oppression (James 4:1–2).
9.3 Justice, Oppression and Exploitation
Prophetic literature denounces social sin as a collective offence against God. Isaiah 1:17 commands, “Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Structural injustices—economic exploitation, discrimination, and corruption—manifest humanity’s estrangement from divine righteousness. Contemporary theology describes such realities as social or corporate sin (Gutierrez, 1973; John Paul II, 1987). Redemption therefore requires both personal repentance and social transformation (Luke 19:8–9).
10. Sin against Creation (Cosmic Dimension)
10.1 Ecological Disorder after the Fall
The effects of sin extend beyond humanity to the natural world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, God declared, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17). Nature, once harmonious, became subject to decay and suffering. Paul writes that “creation was subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20), revealing the cosmic scope of human rebellion.
10.2 Harm to Animals and Environment as Moral Failure
Scripture enjoins responsible stewardship: Adam was commanded “to till and keep” the garden (Genesis 2:15). To exploit creation for selfish ends is therefore a moral failure. Proverbs 12:10 commends the righteous person who cares for animals, implying ethical accountability toward non-human life. Modern ecological theology interprets environmental degradation as a form of collective sin (White, 1967). Destruction of ecosystems reflects the same pride that caused the Fall—placing human desire above divine order.
10.3 Creation’s Groaning and the Hope of Restoration
Paul depicts creation as “groaning in labour pains” while awaiting redemption (Romans 8:22). The ultimate resolution of cosmic sin is promised in the renewal of heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). Redemption in Christ is therefore not merely anthropocentric but cosmic, reconciling “all things, whether on earth or in heaven” (Colossians 1:20). The doctrine of sin against creation underscores humanity’s vocation as steward, not owner; its abuse reveals the universal reach of sin and the need for comprehensive restoration.
References
- Barth, K. (1932) Church Dogmatics II/1: The Doctrine of God. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
- Gutierrez, G. (1973) A Theology of Liberation. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
- John Paul II (1987) Sollicitudo Rei Socialis. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
- Lewis, C. S. (1942) The Screwtape Letters. London: Geoffrey Bles.
- The Holy Bible (NRSV, 2011). London: HarperCollins.
- White, L. (1967) ‘The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis’, Science, 155 (3767), pp. 1203–1207.