Sin

Hugh Connolly investigates the realities of sin through reflecting on literary and biblical texts. Physical evil, law and morality, alienation and existence, power and money, spiritual love and failure are scrutinized in a relational understanding of sin and its forgiveness. The concept of sin has become unfashionable in the modern world. In a society which claims to be psychologically sophisticated, explanations for human behaviour tend to diminish human responsibility. In the age of Myra Hindley, Dennis Nielsen and the murder of Jamie Bulger, these issues are urgent issues by any reckoning. Hugh Connolly argues for a renewed sense of sin that he believes will lead to our greater moral and spiritual wellbeing. He examines our understanding of sin, going back to the pre-Christian era and rescuing what is best from the past. Along the way, he tackles St Augustine, Martin Luther, Calvin but also looks at examples from literature, philosophy and contemporary culture. The biblical tradition is also examined with great care.