Today, Christ Over All begins a new month with a new theme: Whatever Happened to the Doctrine of Sin? In this month, we will do more than simply outline a biblical doctrine, one that is found in all systematic theologies. More urgently, we are putting out an All-Points Bulletin to find the doctrine of sin.
If we took a survey of contemporary culture, we would find that the biblical language of sin, transgression, and iniquity has been replaced by softer, therapeutic terms. Words like “brokenness,” “mistake,” and “accident” abound, along with ideas that suggest that sin is a natural or even biological phenomena. This way of thinking weakens the doctrine of sin to the point that it is nearly absent.
Accordingly, when talking about sin, it is necessary to speak plainly about the subject, but also to defend its relevance. Indeed, as pastors go out of their way to avoid condemning congregants with sin and the wrath that it invites, we who care about truth and the health of the church need to reintroduce the necessity and even vitality of sin. And hence, that is why we are spending the month on this missing doctrine.
In so many ways, this month will continue to develop the doctrine of humanity from last month. While human nature does not require sin (as is evidenced in the pre-fall Adam and the person of Christ), any proper theology of mankind will consider Adam’s fall, the imputation of guilt from the first man to all humanity, the ongoing corruption of human nature, the sinful actions and desires produced by man’s fallen nature, and so much more.
Indeed, because sin has been devalued today, we must return the doctrine to its proper place. For, without a proper view of sin, we will never adequately understand the cross of Christ, the hope of salvation, or the glory the new creation. For that reason, we will be taking all of February to look at this doctrine.
Still, before jumping into the new month, it is worth our time to consider how the doctrine of humanity has taken center stage in recent headlines.
The Doctrine of Humanity in the Headlines
Last month, we focused on the Image of God: In Scripture and Society. And I don’t think we could have had a more timely publication. As Donald Trump took office on January 20, his flurry of Executive Orders touched on countless matters related to God’s image. From enforcing the Hyde Amendment, to defining male and female according to biology, to securing the border, President Trump issued statements that bear directly on the subject of what it means to be human. And more often than not, his actions advanced the protection of life and promoted the good of humanity.
When I was in Florida, I had the chance to talk to Joe Rigney and William Wolfe about some of these Executive Orders and how Christians should think about them. You can find that podcast here. Without rehashing such commentary again, it is simply worth noting how theological anthropology works its way into nearly every cultural and political decision we face. On our own podcast, Steve Wellum and I had the chance to talk about that with Michael Wilkerson, and before that, Trent Hunter, Steve, and I discussed the same thing in the our first interview of the year. So again, the timing of this subject could not be better. And in fact, last week, two other noteworthy anthropological headlines came into the news.
First, when Vice President Vance referenced the Ordo Amoris on Fox News, he introduced a deeply Christian concept into the public arena. As Andrew Walker has outlined since, the idea of having ordered loves is necessary for holding together a spirit of charity for all people (Luke 10:29–37) with a responsibility for those closest to home (1 Tim. 5:8; cf. Gal. 6:10). Indeed, while David Platt and other evangelicals have often jumped over the family to reach the nations, Vice President Vance reminded us of the simple and Christian principle of ordering our loves.
Then second, there was also a statement released last week about the Future of the Family. Endorsed by Christian leaders like Albert Mohler, Andrew Walker, Carl Trueman, and Eric Teetsel, along with many other political conservatives, this new project aims to help households handle the barrage of technology undermining human nature and the goodness of families. You can find the website here, A Future for the Family. And if you look at it, you will notice many of the arguments we have made this month are related to the ten propositions they make about families, child-bearing, technology, and the like.
In all, what these headlines indicate is the way that Christians are responding to a world that has lost touch with the nature of humanity. All last month, we sought to recover those biblical foundations with ethical implications, and I would encourage you to spend time reading those articles and sharing them with others, because without knowing the future, I am willing predict that issues related to humanity (and sin) will not be leaving the headlines any time soon.
The Image of God: In Scripture and Society
- The Dignity of the Human Person: An Evangelical Reading of the Theology of Personhood of Vatican II by Leonardo De Chirico • Concise Article • If the Roman Catholic Pope offered to be your guide in the wilderness that is the doctrine of mankind, would you trust him to lead you safely through?
- The Embodied Person: Why I Am My Body, Not Just My Soul by Gregg Allison • Concise Article • What does Scripture say about the body and the soul? And what important conclusions can we reach about the fullness of who we are?
- 4.1 David Schrock • Christ Over All in 2025: A Preview by David Schrock • Hear what, God willing, lies ahead for Christ Over All in the year of our Lord 2025.
- The Need for Theological Anthropology by Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • As the borrowed capital of the beautiful image of God erodes and men see themselves more as beasts, the prodigal goes bankrupt and horrors commence. This is a sad but necessary tale—and the church must tell it.
- 4.2 The Need for Theological Anthropology by Stephen Wellum • Longform Reading • As the borrowed capital of the beautiful image of God erodes and men see themselves more as beasts, the prodigal goes bankrupt and horrors commence. This is a sad but necessary tale—and the church must tell it.
- Christ Over All’s Most Read Articles Published in 2024 by Kevin McClure • Concise Article • We give thanks to God for our authors and readers. We’re passing along what 2024 articles gained most traction, and we’ve also noticed some trends to share . . .
- Biblical Ethics and In Vitro Fertilization by Emma Waters • Concise Article • An explanation of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in view of the Bible’s theology, bodily health, and our larger society.
- 4.3 The Need for Theological Anthropology by Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Stephen Wellum on his Christ Over All essay: “The Need for Theological Anthropology”
- Designer Embryos and Kids Born from the DNA of Throuple Parents: Understanding the Depraved New World of EPS and IVG by Emma Waters • Concise Article • A look at two harrowing developments in reproductive technology: embryonic polygenetic screening (EPS) and in vitro gametogenesis (IVG).
- Humans: The Image and Likeness of God by Stephen Wellum • Concise Article • How do you define the image of God? Is it Substantive, Functional, or Relational? Or is there a deeper definition that arises from the language of “image” and “likeness” in the scriptures?
- The Original Condition of Humanity by Vern Poythress • Concise Article • The beauty of Christ’s work to restore mankind is bolstered by a proper understanding of our original, pre-fall goodness.
- What is Man? Looking to Christ for the Answer (Part 1) by Michael A. Wilkinson • Longform Essay • In a world with many ideas about who we are, consider how the divine Son’s incarnation reveals the divine design of our human being.
- 4.4 “What is Man? Looking to Christ for the Answer (Parts 1 + 2)” by Michael A. Wilkinson • Longform Reading • In a world with many ideas about who we are, consider how the divine Son’s incarnation reveals the divine design of our human being.
- Do Men and Women Have Different Natures? by Zachary Garris • Concise Article • How are male and female natures the same, and how are they different?
- What is Man? Looking to Christ for the Answer (Part 2) by Michael A. Wilkinson • Longform Essay • In order to know what makes us fully human, we must know what makes Christ fully human. Learn the theses of a Chalcedonian anthropology.
- The Image of God as the Engine of Dominion by Michael Clary • Concise Article • The image of God is much more than an indicator of human value. It not only describes what humans are, it describes what humans do.
- Is Transgenderism a Human Right? An International Body, a U.S. President, and a Supreme Court Justice Weigh In by Colin Smothers • Concise Article • Human rights depend on affirming the gender binary, established by God in creation. We also find reinforcement of this simple truth in surprising places.
- Can Christians Intentionally Choose to Not Have Children? Addressing Three Arguments by P. Andrew Sandlin • Concise Article • What does the Bible say to married couples who choose intentional childlessness?
- The Doctrine of Victimization and Its Destruction of Personal Agency: A Biblical Perspective by Ardel Caneday + Trent Hunter • Concise Article • “Playing the victim” has never been more popular. How did we get here, and how can Christians fight against narratives that rob our personhood?
- 4.5 “What is Man? Looking to Christ for the Answer” by Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • Listen in as Stephen Wellum and David Shrock interview Michael Wilkinson on his Christ Over All essay: “What is Man? Looking to Christ for the Answer”
- The Death of Death by Tech: Transhumanism’s False Hope by Jeremy Peckham • Concise Article • Transhumanism seeks to transcend the barriers of our corporeal nature, even the reality of death. But true hope for death’s defeat is only found in Christ.
- On Assisted Suicide: What I Said to My State Legislators by Trent Hunter • Concise Article • Physicians must never treat suffering with death. Assisted suicide—however motivated—is a form of murder.
- Christ is Lord Over Death: A Case for Burial Over Cremation by Garrett Wishall • Concise Article • Does God care if we burn or bury the dead?
- Planting a Graveyard: Seven Reasons Churches Should Recover an Ancient Practice by David Schrock & Nate Hendrickson • Concise Article • Graveyards remind, inform, testify, illustrate, demonstrate, and practically help the church to live so that we might one day be raised with Christ out of the ground.
Christ Over All News and Notes
As I close, let me highlight three things.
First, we are making plans for future months.
And we are taking submissions for the forthcoming themes. The next three months have authors lined up, but the rest of the year is open. So, if you or someone you know has an article idea, email us. We’d love to talk to you.
March 2025: The Ethics and Religious Liberties Conundrum
April 2025: The Cross in the Old Testament
May 2025: Speech: Sacred, Serrated, Simple, and Sanctified
June 2025: The Paterfamilias: Making Fatherhood Great Again
July 2025: The Nicene Creed: 1700 Years in the Making
August 2025: The Gospels
September 2025: The Doctrine of Vocation
October 2025: Biblical Theology in the Balance
November 2025: Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology
December 2025: Christmas Medley, Part 2
Second, it was great to see many friends at the Founders Conference last month.
And we hope to see many more in the months ahead. We will be visiting the King’s Domain conference in Cincinnati, Ohio (May 8–10), as well as G3’s National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia (September 11–13). Please sign up for those conferences, and let us know if you do.
We will also be at the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas, Texas (June 9–9) and at the Evangelical Theological Society in Boston (November 18–20). So, if you are there, please reach out to us. We’d love to connect.
Third, we continue to look for individuals and churches who will support Christ Over All.
The simplest way to support us is by sharing the content that we produce here. Please forward this email to a friend who may benefit, or tell other pastors about the resources here, or follow us online or give us a five-star review on your podcast player. All of these ‘shares’ help us put this content in front of others.
We are truly grateful to God for the way he has permitted Christ Over All to benefit from the seasoned scholars and earnest pastors who write for us, and so we want to share their work as far as possible. So, sharing the articles and podcasts, helps us do that.
At the same time, if you or your church benefits from this ministry, please consider becoming a monthly supporter or giving a one-time gift? You can do that here. Your gifts help us continue to produce podcasts and publish articles for the church for free.
That’s it for this month. Until next time, let us all remember that Christ is Lord over all things, so in all things let us exalt Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria
