Abstract

In this article a brief exposition is given o f what sin and deviance entail. This perspective is approached in terms of what is called the logovision premise. This premise essentially maintains that human perception of reality is primarily mediated through words and that only God's words allow us to see reality as it truly is. Thus we are enabled to respond appropriately to reality - especially evaluative reality. By then applying God’s words to the issues involved in the study of deviance, more clarity is hopefully achieved. This is done by discussing the respective characteristics of sin and deviance and by briefly exploring the relationship between these two phenomena. Finally some of the implications for the study o f social deviance are discussed.

Highlights

  • Accepting the category of sin as ontologically real, is only possible if one accepts the Christian worldview, as presented in the Bible, as valid

  • B would see a can of Coke on the basis of having believed the word “Coke” written on the tin and would inappropriately respond by drinking the “Coke” and die - having taken a false reality to be the true reality and having done so with fatal consequences

  • To summarize: All human beings - and all social scientists - are bom with an evaluative capacity to differentiate between good and evil; possess the ability andfreedom to define the contents of good and evil in terms o f a chosen directional source or ultimate definitional authority, are free to choose or decide between these evaluative opposites - once again in terms o f a chosen directional source or ultimate definitional authority and are responsible for the actions flowing from their choice

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Accepting the category of sin as ontologically real, is only possible if one accepts the Christian worldview, as presented in the Bible, as valid This will be my point of departure in discussing the topic “When deviance becomes sin”. I f we have been successfully deceived, i.e. convinced to believe the false reality (lie) to be the true reality (truth) our response to that reality could be fatally inappropriate. B would see a can of Coke on the basis of having believed the word “Coke” written on the tin and would inappropriately respond by drinking the “Coke” and die - having taken a false reality (a lie) to be the true reality (truth) and having done so with fatal consequences. This is done by distinguishing between sin and social deviance and by relating these phenomena to each other

On good and evil
Deviance and evaluative issues
Defining deviance
Sin and sociology
The denial of sin
Defining sin
On the relationship between sin and deviance
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call