The Solution to the Problem of s/Sin - Rom 7

The Solution to the Problem of s/Sin - Rom 7

1. God of unsearchable mystery and light, your weakness is greater than our strength, your foolishness brings all our cleverness to naught, your gentleness confounds the power we would claim. You call first to be last and last to be first, servant to be leader and ruler to be underling of all. Pour into our hearts the wisdom of your Word and Spirit, that we may know your purpose and live to your glory. Amen. OPENING PRAYER

2. SUNDAY // SEPTEMBER 22 The Solution to the Problem of s/Sin

3. hamartia Paul sees sin as a power, “as a compulsion or constraint humans generally experience within themselves or in their social context, a compulsion towards attitudes and actions not always of their own willing or approving.” SIN = HAMARTIA

4. ROMANS 7:7-8 What then should we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin … But Sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me (my individual sin … ) ”

5. when a complex entity has properties or behaviors its parts do not have on their own, and emerge only when they interact in a wider whole; for Croasmun (and for Paul) this happens, not just for embodied things/persons, but for disembodied things/persons as well, which don’t have a specific physical form, but are absolutely real nonetheless EMERGENCE THEORY

6. Individual water molecules ≠ wet Wetness emerges from a collection of water molecules within a given environment

7. In some Blue Birds, feathers are not actually blue themselves The blueness emerges due to the intricate nano- structure of the feathers and how they reflect the light

8. Beehives have collective behaviors not seen in individual bees These behaviors emerge within the context of the hive’s social structure/system

9. A human being is not a uniform “individual” Our humanity emerges from the subsequent parts that make up our bodies, minds and the impact of our surroundings

10. PERSONIFIED The invisible hand of “The Market”

11. “The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of the government.” ( Mitt Romney )

12. “The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of the government.” ( Mitt Romney ) “The invisible hand of (The Market) seems to offer an extended middle finger to an awful lot of people.” ( George Carlin )

13. PERSON-IDENTIFIED The Being known as “Sin” ROMANS 7:8 But Sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me (my individual sin … ) ”

14. WHERE DOES SIN ORIGINATE? Cosmic? Mythological Social? Sociological Individual? Psychological

15. WHERE DOES SIN ORIGINATE? Cosmic? Mythological Social? Sociological Individual? Psychological

16. WHERE DOES SIN ORIGINATE? Cosmic? Mythological Social? Sociological Individual? Psychological

17. WHERE DOES SIN ORIGINATE? Cosmic? Mythological Social? Sociological Individual? Psychological

18. EMERGENCE OF THE BODY OF SIN Disembodied but-still-Personal Agent/Body of Sin Structures/Systems Complex network of individuals/sins

19. STAND YOUR GROUND LAW 1. Abstract law : okay to use lethal force if you’re afraid 2. Body of Sin sets context for legal enforcement : implicit bias against black/brown bodies 3. Sin seizes upon the law : deceives those who see themselves as impartial, creates a sense of justification for killing/death 4. Plays out individually AND collectively : emerging from individuals + law + context of racial bias 5. SIN works through the LAW to produce DEATH

20. BANKING CRISIS + HOUSING COLLAPSE 1. Abstract law : okay to use risky/unstable $ instruments 2. Body of Sin sets context for legal enforcement : major goal/commitment = maximize profit > people 3. Sin seizes upon the law : deceives those who see themselves as rightful participants/beneficiaries, creates justification for people losing homes/finances 4. Plays out individually AND collectively : emerging from individuals + law + context of racial bias 5. SIN works through the LAW to produce “ DEATH ”

21. JESUS’ VICTORY OVER s/SIN Cosmic Mythological Social Sociological Individual Psychological

22. ALTERNATE EMERGENCE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST Kingdom of God Through the Church in the World Life in Christ In the Church, by the Spirit Faithfulness of Jesus Lived out individually/collectively

23. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US HUMILITY in the face of our shared battleground

24. MY YOUR GOD SIN OTHER’S SOCIETAL OUR COMPLEX REALITY Supernatural World Natural World sins sins sins sins

25. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US HUMILITY in the face of our shared battleground GRACE/PATIENCE w/ourselves/others as a result

26. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US HUMILITY in the face of our shared battleground GRACE/PATIENCE w/ourselves/others as a result GRATITUDE/WORSHIP for the scope of Jesus’ victory

27. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US HUMILITY in the face of our shared battleground GRACE/PATIENCE w/ourselves/others as a result GRATITUDE/WORSHIP for God’s mercy through Christ’s victory COMMITMENT to combat the Agent/Body of Sin, by the Spirit, in the Body of Christ

28. O God, teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us a beloved children. Help us to lay aside our envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servant of your peace. Amen. CLOSING PRAYER