An Orthodox Understanding of Sin
Sin is a word loaded with many meanings and prejudices that it was never meant to carry. Perhaps the best way to explain what the Orthodox Church understands 'sin' to be is by looking at the word that it translates - αμαρτία, an archery term meaning 'to miss the mark'. One can understand sin as a falling short - that is, to fall short of the perfection (albeit potential) that God created us in. When a person sins, they separate themselves from God.
Free will is vital in understanding how sin occurs. While a person has the potential to freely act in a God-pleasing manner, a sin is to use the God-given gift of free will in a manner against God's plan. Because God loves us, He respects our free will to do something wrong and self-damaging. It is also essential that a person can understand (intuitively or through study) the difference between God-pleasing and not, between right and wrong.
The response to sin is repentance. Without repentance, there is no new life or salvation. To repent is, if we take the original Greek word μετάνοια, is to make a complete change - that is, to change from self-pleasing to God-pleasing. True repentance is not simply being penitant and sorrowful - there is sorrow, yes, but there is also the recognition of forgiveness.
Confession is the means by which God has given us to return to Him, where we ask forgiveness and where we receive forgiveness.
We must restate, however, that intellectual knowledge is only an introduction, compared to living this knowledge. We invite you to visit us.
Contact the Parish
P.O. Box 448
Southport 4215
Ph: (07) 5573 7977
E-mail: Fr Raymond
E-mail: Webmaster
Regular Services
Divine Liturgy
Sunday 8am
The Chapel,
18 Tonga Pl, Parkwood
The Parish of Saint Barnabas the Apostle, 2007-2008, is in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand.
Website established as a Directed Project in the St Stephen's Course of Orthodox Theology.
Hosting supplied by Vasilios Theodorakis - Web Design Services.