All Sins Equal?

[Trying2BFaithful]

Many a time we hear Protestants clamoring for the acceptance of their "all sins equal" doctrine. I'd love to hear some Protestant arguments in support of this fallacy considering that 1 John 5: 16-17 clearly distinguishes between those sins that are mortal and those that are not.

Curious, what passage or protestant theory supports the idea that murder is the moral equivalent of a little white lie? Just curious.

[Paladin D]

I'm curious myself, I just don't understand.

Before I even grew fond of Catholicism, I always believed that there must've been at least some degrees of sin.

[Circle_Master]

I would like you to know that I don't believe all sins are equal. It is true that any sin seperates you from God (as seen in the Garden of Eden), but different sins have different punishments. This is easily illustrated from Old Testament Law, and also yes, 1 Cor 5 - although that may not be quite the same.

From all the protestants I know, many of the 'lay people' are confused and mesh 'any sin seperates you from God' to equal that all sins are the same. There is definately a distinction and just about every education Christian I've known, and every single teacher I've had at Philadelphia Biblical University understands that some sins are worse than others.

They don't draw a conclusion that any can seperate us from the love of God however. Romans 5:12-23 - through one mans sin condemnation entered the world - through one mans act righteousness spread to all men. Christ's death on the cross was the antithesis for Adam/Eve's sin and those in Christ, and in Christ forever. (I know you disagree with this paragraph, it does however illustrate my position better for you)

[Paladin D]

Not all Protestants of course, view all sins are equal, but I'm assuming a majority of them believe they're equal.

Catholics view all sin as sin (all go against God), Protestants will agree with that. But Catholics believe that certain sins are more grave then others (murder vs lying). There are two degrees of sin...

Venial and Mortal

Venial = Sins which hurt the relationship with God, but never destroy the relationship or lose one's Grace.

Unless for example, cussing being a Venial sin... eventually leads to using the Lord's name in Vain, which is Mortal sin. That's the only case which committing Venial sin, may lead to committing Mortal sin.

Mortal = Sins which gravely damage the relationship with God, damages the relationship greatly and loses one's Grace.

1. Serious matter,

2. Knowledge or firm belief that the act is seriously wrong prior to committing the act;

3. Full consent of the will.

...and you can recieve your Grace back, once you go to Confession (and if you truely mean it). Somebody correct me, if I'm wrong.

[Circle_Master]

from what I understand, you draw your distinction of a mortal sin from 1 John 5 correct? Asking for one not to pray for anothers death? And 1 Corinthians 5 as one who is sinning is given over to Satan for his flesh's destruction.

[Katholikos]

I would like you to know that I don't believe all sins are equal. It is true that any sin seperates you from God (as seen in the Garden of Eden), but different sins have different punishments. This is easily illustrated from Old Testament Law, and also yes, 1 Cor 5 - although that may not be quite the same.

From all the protestants I know, many of the 'lay people' are confused and mesh 'any sin seperates you from God' to equal that all sins are the same. There is definately a distinction and just about every education Christian I've known, and every single teacher I've had at Philadelphia Biblical University understands that some sins are worse than others.

They don't draw a conclusion that any can seperate us from the love of God however. Romans 5:12-23 - through one mans sin condemnation entered the world - through one mans act righteousness spread to all men. Christ's death on the cross was the antithesis for Adam/Eve's sin and those in Christ, and in Christ forever. (I know you disagree with this paragraph, it does however illustrate my position better for you)

Huh? Any sin separates one from God? Not according to the Bible! Did you read 1 John 5:16-17? Perhaps you didn't understand it, since the terminology is Catholic.

Here you are arguing that "any sin separates you from God" and a few posts ago on another thread you were defending Once Saved Always Saved, which teaches that once one has been "saved," it is impossible to lose one's salvation (be separated from God), no matter how many or how serious the sins one may commit thereafter.

Or is that what you mean by "in Christ forever"?

You chose the right name, Circle!

What is the denominational affiliation of the Philadelphia Biblical College?

Ave Cor Mariae,

JMJ Likos

[cmotherofpirl]

Galatians 5:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest: which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,

20 Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects,

21 Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.

Romans 1:

28 And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient.

29 Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness: full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity: whisperers,

30 Detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Foolish, dissolute: without affection, without fidelity, without mercy.

32 Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death: and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them.

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children:

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints:

4 Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

[Circle_Master]

Likos, I'll ignore you as usually since it seems you made no effort to understand any word I said.

Cmom, I agree 100% with Scripture. I would point out a few things from them.

Galations 5 starts with "Now the works of the flesh" - As one saved, the works of the flesh are from one living in the flesh. This is an example of one whose lifestyle is not 'in Christ' but of a sinner and unsaved person. He is drawing a contrast to the surrounding context.

Ephesians 5 does a similar thing, but has more content available to work with. " let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints" - This is talking about their reputation. He goes on to say "For know you this and understand" to show that they understand that these people whose desire in life is for those sins are not seeking God. Paul is telling them to be different and to be set apart. The entire point of Ephesians 4-6 is for the Church to live differently, and this is another example.

You did not interact with my verse in Romans at all so I will wait for that Cmom. When you provide that one I will put a few more out.

[NewReformation]

The majority of Protestants believe that all sins are equal...IN THE SENSE that it takes only one sin to beaver dam a person to hell. Protestants do realize that there are different penalties for different sins, and that God does view some sins as being especially bad. I don't know any Protestant who actually believes that a white lie is the equivalent of say...murder.

[Circle_Master]

thanks newreformation

[cmotherofpirl]

Circle do you agree with newreformation?

[Circle_Master]

of course, it's what I said the first time

[Trying2BFaithful]

NewFormation:

So let me get this straight. You said, and I quote, "The majority of Protestants believe that all sins are equal...IN THE SENSE that it takes only one sin to beaver dam a person to hell."

So does this mean one little white lie on my death bed can send me to hell? I doubt highly that you are trying to say this. Enlighten me, please.

[NewReformation]

No, I am talking in the pre-salvation sense. It only takes one sinto beaver dam a person to hell. And since we are all born with a sinful nature, we are naturally predisposed towards sin, and will do so. Therefore, all mankind is condemned to hell until the moment of salvation.

[Circle_Master]

I'm sure you Catholics know more about protestantism than you are pretending. But I will clarify it because I believe we are on the same page.

One little white lie seperates anyone from God.

God's grace covered us and brought us in Christ and now no sin will seperate us from Him

Before there was no grace on a believer, now there is.

Before we were 'in Adam' and now we are 'in Christ'.

Romans 5:12-23 - through one mans sin condemnation entered the world - through one mans act righteousness spread to all men. Christ's death on the cross was the antithesis for Adam/Eve's sin and those in Christ, and in Christ forever.