Lesson 3: Sin and Human Alienation PDF

**LESSON 3** 1. **Sin** - a fundamental concept in Christian theology that refers to any thought, word, deed, or omission that violates God\'s will and goes against the divine order of creation. - is seen as a condition of human fallenness that results from disobedience to God\'s...

**LESSON 3** 1. **Sin** - a fundamental concept in Christian theology that refers to any thought, word, deed, or omission that violates God\'s will and goes against the divine order of creation. - is seen as a condition of human fallenness that results from disobedience to God\'s commands and leads to estrangement from God, self, others, and creation. - The concept of sin is derived from the Bible, especially the Genesis account of the fall of Adam and Eve, and is central to the Christian understanding of salvation and redemption. **A. There are several types of sin that are recognized in Christian theology:** 1. **Original Sin** - This refers to the inherited condition of human fallenness that results from the first human beings\' disobedience to God\'s command in the Garden of Eden. 2. **Personal Sin** - This refers to the individual acts of disobedience and wrongdoing that human beings commit, such as lying, stealing, and committing adultery. 3. **Social Sin** - This refers to the systemic and structural patterns of injustice, oppression, and violence that are embedded in social institutions and practices, such as racism, sexism, and economic exploitation. **B. Sin affects human relationships in various ways:** 1. **Relationship with God** - Sin creates a barrier between human beings and God, and leads to a sense of guilt, shame, and separation from the divine. 2. **Relationship with Self** - Sin distorts the human identity and sense of worth, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and self-condemnation. 3. **Relationship with Others** - Sin creates conflicts, divisions, and brokenness in human relationships, leading to injustice, oppression, and violence. 4. **Relationship with Creation** - Sin leads to the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment, and contributes to the ecological crisis that threatens the well-being of all living beings. **C. Fundamental Human Alienation** **Human Alienation** - refers to a sense of separation or disconnection from oneself, others, and the world. - It is a fundamental aspect of human experience and is often seen as a consequence of sin and brokenness. - Human alienation takes various forms, including spiritual, psychological, social, and ecological. 1. **Spiritual Alienation** T - This refers to a sense of distance or separation from God, the divine, or a higher power. - It can arise from a variety of reasons, including sin, doubt, and a lack of faith. Spiritual alienation can manifest as a feeling of emptiness, meaninglessness, or despair. 2. **Psychological Alienation** - This refers to a sense of disconnection from oneself, one\'s emotions, or one\'s own identity. - It can arise from trauma, abuse, or social conditioning. Psychological alienation can manifest as a feeling of estrangement, loneliness, or a lack of purpose. 3. **Social Alienation** - This refers to a sense of disconnection or exclusion from others, such as one\'s family, community, or society. - It can arise from factors such as poverty, discrimination, or social injustice. Social alienation can manifest as a feeling of isolation, marginalization, or powerlessness. 4. **Ecological Alienation** - This refers to a sense of disconnection or alienation from the natural environment and the non-human world. - It can arise from factors such as consumerism, industrialization, or a lack of ecological awareness. - Ecological alienation can manifest as a feeling of separation or estrangement from nature, a lack of concern for the environment, or a sense of entitlement over natural resources. **D. Local and Environmental Problems in the Philippines** 1. **Exploitation of Natural Resources** - The Philippines is a resource-rich country, but the exploitation of these resources has often been driven by greed, corruption, and a lack of concern for the environment. - This exploitation has led to deforestation, mining, and other activities that have resulted in soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. - The desire for profit and economic growth has often taken precedence over the well-being of the environment and its inhabitants. 2. **Neglect of the Poor** - Poverty is a pervasive problem in the Philippines, with many communities lacking access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare. - This neglect is rooted in systemic issues related to inequality, corruption, and a lack of concern for the common good. - The neglect of the poor has resulted in environmental problems such as waste mismanagement and pollution, as well as the destruction of natural habitats for the sake of development. 3. **Lack of Care for Creation** - The Philippines is known for its natural beauty, but the lack of care for creation has led to environmental degradation and crisis. - This lack of care is rooted in a worldview that prioritizes human domination over creation, rather than stewardship and care. - The degradation of the environment has led to issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the destruction of natural habitats. **D1. The Philippines is facing numerous environmental problems that are having a negative impact on its natural resources, public health, and economic development. Here are some of the major local and environmental problems in the Philippines:** 1. **Urbanization** - The rapid pace of urbanization in the Philippines has led to issues such as congestion, inadequate housing, and a lack of basic services such as water and sanitation. - As cities continue to expand, there is increasing pressure on natural resources, leading to issues such as water scarcity and soil erosion. 2. **Pollution** - Pollution is a major problem in the Philippines, particularly in urban areas where industrial and vehicular emissions contribute to poor air quality. - Water pollution is also a major concern, with industrial and domestic waste contaminating waterways and coastal areas. 3. **Deforestation** - Deforestation is a significant issue in the Philippines, with widespread logging and land conversion leading to loss of forest cover and biodiversity. - Deforestation also contributes to soil erosion and exacerbates the impact of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. 4. **Climate Change** - The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, stronger typhoons, and more frequent droughts. - These impacts are already being felt across the country, leading to crop failures, displacement, and economic losses. **LESSON 4** **A. Sin and Human Alienation** **Sin** - Sin is the violation of divine law, a departure from the will and order of God. - It is an action, thought, or attitude that separates us from God, disrupts our relationship with Him, and harms ourselves and others. **Human Alienation** - Human alienation refers to the inherent disconnect or estrangement experienced by individuals from their true selves, from others, and from the divine. - It is a consequence of sin and the brokenness of the human condition. 1. **Genesis 3:1-19 (The Fall of Man)** - This passage describes humanity\'s initial disobedience and separation from God. - The serpent\'s temptation leads to the consumption of forbidden fruit, resulting in shame, fear, and ultimately, alienation. - "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths." -- Genesis 3:7 (NIV) 2. **Romans 3:23 (Universal nature of sin)** - This verse asserts that all have sinned and fallen short of God\'s glory, emphasizing the pervasive condition of sin among all humanity. - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -- Romans 3:23 (NIV) 3. **Romans 6:23 (Consequences of sin)** - This highlights the stark contrast between the wages of sin (death) and the gift of God (eternal life) offered through faith in Jesus. - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- Romans 6:23 (NIV) 4. **Ephesians 2:1-3 (Spiritual death)** - This passage portrays the human state \"dead in transgressions and sins,\" accentuating the need for divine grace. - "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins." -- Ephesians 2:1 (NIV) **B. Church Teachings: Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)** **Paragraphs 1849-1864: The Nature of Sin** - **1849** - Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; - **1850** - Sin is an offense against God - **1851** - It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms - **1852** - There are a great many kinds of sins. Scripture provides several lists of them. The Letter to the Galatians contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: \"Now the works of the flesh are plain: **fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,** **sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy,** **drunkenness, carousing**, and the like. - **1853** - Sins can be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act; or according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or defect; - **1854** - Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. - **1855** - Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God\'s law; **C. Contemporary Understanding of Sin and Human Alienation:** 1. **Moral Relativism** - Moral relativism, the belief that moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person, can contribute to the acceptance and normalization of sinful behavior. - This can lead to a loss of moral compass and a blurring of the boundaries between right and wrong, resulting in increased alienation from moral truths and ethical values. 2. **Individualism and Self-Centeredness** - The prevalent culture of individualism often emphasizes personal fulfillment, success, and satisfaction above communal well-being and moral responsibility. - This self-centered approach can lead to alienation from others, as individuals prioritize their own desires and interests without considering the impact on those around them. 3. **Social Injustice and Inequality** - In societies marked by social injustice and inequality, sin manifests itself in systemic oppression, discrimination, and exploitation. - These societal structures perpetuate alienation by marginalizing certain groups and perpetuating divisions based on race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and other factors. 4. **Materialism and Consumerism** - The pursuit of material possessions and consumerism can foster a culture of greed, selfishness, and discontentment. - This excessive focus on material wealth can lead to a neglect of spiritual and moral values, contributing to the alienation from deeper, meaningful aspects of life. 5. **Digital Connectivity and Disconnect** - While digital connectivity has brought numerous benefits, it has also resulted in unintended consequences. - The constant engagement with technology and social media can lead to a sense of disconnection from genuine human interaction, fostering a virtual reality that can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, isolation, and alienation. 6. **Environmental Degradation** - The disregard for the environment and unsustainable practices reflect a sinful attitude of exploitation and neglect. - The degradation of nature and ecosystems contributes to the alienation from the natural world and disrupts the harmony between humans and their environment. 7. **Broken Relationships and Fragmented Communities** - Sinful behaviors such as dishonesty, betrayal, violence, and lack of forgiveness damage relationships and fracture communities. - This fragmentation leads to feelings of alienation, mistrust, and a breakdown of social cohesion.