2 Kinds of Sin: An Ancient Concept –
Sin is a concept that is central to many religions, including Christianity. Within Christianity, there are 2 kinds of sin: venial and mortal. Many believe that sin is a part of human nature, and we are all guilty of committing one kind or another.
Theories of St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and Catholic theologian who lived during the 13th century, is known for his contribution to the development of the Catholic Church’s doctrine and his Summa Theologica, which is considered one of the most influential works of medieval philosophy.
Aquinas believed that sin is a moral wrong committed against God and that sin is an act of free will. Aquinas believed that it is due to an individual’s choices and decisions that they commit sin. He also believed that sin is not necessarily an act of evil, but rather a lack of good. Aquinas argued that sin is an act of self-love, which is merely a temporary deviation from the love of God. To him, sin was a moral failing that could be avoided by seeking redemption through repentance and reconciliation with God.
A State of Being
Aquinas believed that human will has a natural inclination to seek the good, and it is only through the abuse of the will that sin arises. He also believed that sin is not simply an act, but also a state of being. This state of being is known as “original sin,” which is inherited by all human beings as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. Original sin is a tendency towards evil, which is present in all human beings from birth.
St Francis: A Deep Sense of Sorrow
St. Francis of Assisi, on the other hand, viewed sin as a violation of God’s law and a corruption of one’s relationship with God. He believed that all sins were equally wrong, regardless of their severity, and that all people were equally capable of committing them. He had a deep sense of sorrow for those who sinned, and believed that repentance was essential for spiritual healing. He was especially known for his teachings on the necessity of confession, and his insistence that all sins, even those of the most minor nature, must be acknowledged and confessed.
Two Types of Sin
Ancient Judaism, and later Catholicism, argued there are 2 kinds of sin: Venial and Mortal. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the differences between these two kinds of sin to gain a better understanding of each. We’ll also look at some examples to see how they manifest themselves in our lives and discuss why Judaism and Catholicism teach the importance of recognizing the differences between them.
Venial Sin: The Lesser of Two Evils
Out of 2 kinds of sin, Venial sin is considered to be a less serious offense against God. These sins are often seen as being committed out of weakness or ignorance, rather than out of deliberate malice. Examples of venial sins might include telling a white lie, or having impure thoughts. While venial sins are still considered to be sinful, they do not result in the separation of the soul from God, and they can be forgiven through the sacrament of confession.
Venial sins can be committed intentionally or unintentionally, and can lead to spiritual weakness. For instance, one example of a venial sin is lying about something trivial, such as telling a white lie about something trivial. Other examples include gossiping, swearing, being judgmental of others and breaking religious fasts such as eating meat on days when abstinence from certain foods is required.
The idea of Venial Sin dates back to the early days of Nazarene/Catholicism and was carried over into later versions of Christianity. Although the concept of Venial Sin has evolved over time, its definition remains largely unchanged since its first emergence in Judaism.
Mortal Sin: Grave Offenses Against God
Mortal sins are considered to be grave offenses against God. These sins are committed with full knowledge and deliberate intent, and they result in the separation of the soul from God. Examples of mortal sins might include murder, blasphemy, or apostasy. Mortal sins cannot be forgiven without the sacrament of confession, and they also require a firm purpose of amendment, meaning to have a sincere remorse and determination not to commit the same sin again. The concept of mortal sin is first seen in the Old Testament (whose texts originated from Judaism), with the idea that sins that are committed against God are punishable by eternal damnation.
According to Thomas Aquinas, a mortal sin requires full knowledge and deliberate intent, and it can only be forgiven through the sacrament of confession.
2 Kinds of Sin: As Categorized by Christianity
The distinction between the 2 kinds of sin, mortal and venial sin, was first developed in Christianity by the Church Fathers of the 4th century. They believed that sins committed against God were more serious than those committed against other people. Thus, mortal sins were sins that were committed against God and would lead to eternal damnation if not repented and forgiven. Venial sins, on the other hand, were sins that were less serious and could be redeemed through prayer and penance.
It’s important to note that one’s state of mind and the circumstances surrounding a sin can affect whether it is considered venial or mortal. For example, if a person steals food because they are starving, it may be considered a venial sin, whereas if a person steals food because they are greedy, it may be considered a mortal sin.
In general, venial sins are considered to be less serious offenses against God, while mortal sins are considered to be grave offenses that result in the separation of the soul from God. Both of these 2 kinds of sin can be forgiven through the sacrament of confession, but mortal sins require a firm purpose of amendment.
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