Bennett: euphemisms for "sinner"

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
    Commemoration of Crispin & Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c.285
Meditation:
You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
    with you the wicked cannot dwell.
The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.
    —Psalm 5:4-5 (NIV)
Quotation:
    The word “sinner” often proves a great obstacle to understanding, but let us use other words. Let us say that man is the kind of creature who naturally sees the world from a very limited perspective, that he tends to be self-centered and to prefer the interests that are closest to himself and to his own social group. Let us say that man is naturally unwilling to accept his limited or finite status, that he is always seeking to extend his control over others, that he seeks to maintain his own security by means of power over all who may threaten it, that he likes to be in a position to compare himself with others to their disadvantage, that he seeks to be self-sufficient and to deny in effect his dependence upon God and to set up his own group or system or ideal in the place of God.
    ... John C. Bennett (1902-1995), Christianity and communism today, Association Press, 1960, p. 117 (see the book)
    See also Ps. 5:4-5; Rom. 3:10-18; Gal. 5:19-24; Phil. 2:3; 3:18-19;
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, grant me a heart that honors You. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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