Hamartiology

This opening lesson introduces hamartiology and argues sin's reality from three witnesses: history, the human conscience, and Scripture. It insists God is not the author of sin (Job 34:10; James 1:13) and traces sin's sources to Lucifer, the heart, personal lust, and Adam's transgression. It then gives seven reasons God permitted sin, among them preserving free choice, valuing redeemed souls, instructing angels, and manifesting His grace.

This lesson defines sin as any want of conformity to, or transgression of, the character or law of God, distinguishing sins against God's person (godlessness, defilement, self on the throne) from sins against His moral law (transgression, rebellion, lawlessness). It surveys scriptural expressions for sin, then examines God's law as holy and rooted in His nature, given to expose sin, reveal His holiness, and lead us to Christ.

Opening the kinds of sin, this lesson separates physical evil from moral evil and shows sin as a positive force serving Satan's side. It details sins of omission, neglected ordinances, tithing, assembling, witnessing, warning as a watchman, and watchfulness, and sins of unbelief, from questioning God's Word to rejecting Christ. It closes with sins of ignorance, national sins that bring judgment, and personal sin.

Continuing the kinds of sin, this lesson treats secret sins brought into the light of God's countenance and presumptuous sins, including speaking without divine warrant, acting without God's presence, living without God, usurping authority, aspiring to divine titles, posing as righteous, and making plans without God. It then covers open, shameless, youthful, and public sins, and the grave willful sin of Hebrews 10:26.

This lesson traces sin's beginning, first in the universe with Lucifer's fivefold rebellion (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14), then in the human race, using the Genesis account to refute evolution and excuses of heredity or environment. It walks through Satan's method of temptation, casting doubt on God's Word, prompting Eve to add to, alter, and omit it, then contradicting it, and reviews the fall's shame, alienation, and fourfold curse.

This lesson examines sin's consequences at four levels. For the unregenerate individual it brings blindness, servitude, alienation from God, and spiritual death. For godless communities it invites judgment like Sodom and Babylon, and for the whole earth the flood and coming wrath. For God's people it details Old Testament penalties of exile and death, and New Testament chastening, sickness, and even the sin unto death.

This lesson studies relationships to sin. Christ was free of sin and knew no sin, yet became sin, dying as our substitute and offering, taking sin away, forgiving, reconciling, purging, cleansing, and washing believers in His blood. The regenerate believer's responsibility is then spelled out: to acknowledge and confess sin with godly sorrow, refuse to serve or obey it, subdue and lay it aside, resist it, and shun its very appearance.

The concluding lesson gives practical helps against sinning. It shows the Word restraining, guiding, setting a standard of conduct, and feeding us; urges guarding the tongue against backbiting, deceit, double-talk, and perverseness; and calls believers to walk in the Spirit, in light, truth, and faith. It adds avoiding evil companions, confessing sin with repentance and restitution, exercising love (1 Corinthians 13), and going to Christ our advocate.