Current Theme | February 2025
Whatever Happened to the Doctrine of Sin?
The most deadly enemy is the one that you underestimate. If sin is missing or misunderstood from our view, then we are less able to recognize and repent of it. Sin does not like to be discovered, but exposing it is part of the Christian’s task (Eph. 5:11). This month, our aim is to shine light on the true nature of sin before the public consciousness—to understand it, correct false notions of it, and renew an appreciation for the one who conquered it. Bring your flashlight.
Longform
Where Would We Be Without Genesis 3? Understanding the Significance of Sin
By Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • February 3
Genesis 3 alone gives us the only true explanation of our problem along with the Bible’s glorious solution in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Podcast
4.6 Stephen Wellum • Reading • “Where Would We Be Without Genesis 3? Understanding the Significance of Sin”
By Stephen Wellum • Longform Reading • February 3
Genesis 3 alone gives us the only true explanation of our problem along with the Bible’s glorious solution in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Concise
What is the New Nature and Old Nature?
By David S. Dockery • Concise Article • February 4
How do we understand what happens when a person goes from the old man to the new man in Christ?
Concise
Talking about Sin is Hard: Its Covenantal Background and the Challenge of Modernity
By Harrison Perkins • Concise Article • February 5
We are not merely "broken"; we are "wicked." The former language minimizes our culpability and takes away from the legal and covenantal responsibility.
Concise
Minimized Corruption: A Roman Catholic Theology of Sin
By Leonardo De Chirico • Concise Article • February 6
What happens when mercy, at the expense of sin, becomes ingrained as the central message of the Bible? We find out in Rome's story.
Concise
“Give What You Command, and Then Command Whatever You Will”: Augustine, Pelagius, and the Question of Original Sin
By Brad Green • Concise Article • February 7
No debate in the history of the church has been more important for the doctrine of sin than the debate between Augustine and Pelagius
Podcast
4.7 Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • “Where Would We Be Without Genesis 3? Understanding the Significance of Sin”
By Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • February 10
Listen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Stephen Wellum on his Christ Over All essay: “Where Would We Be Without Genesis 3? Understanding the Significance of Sin"
Concise
C.S. Lewis on Sin & Punishment
By Louis Markos • Concise Article • February 11
What would C.S. Lewis say if you asked him about sin? Can we "love the sinner but hate the sin? And should we punish sinners who break the law . . . or merely rehabilitate them?
Concise
The Necessity of Believing in a Historical Adam
By Terry Mortenson • Concise Article • February 12
Rejecting a historical Adam leads to an avalanche of theological problems. The creation account is inerrant history, not poetry, historical fiction, or mythology.
Concise
Original Sin and Original Death: Romans 5:12–19
By Thomas R. Schreiner • Concise Article • February 14
To what extent is mankind born sinful? Any biblical attempt to answer this question must properly deal with Romans 5:12-19.
Longform
Original Sin—Biological or Spiritual Problem?
By Hans Maudeme • Longform Essay • February 17
Does our biology determine our behavior? If so, are we really responsible for our sin?
Podcast
4.8 Hans Madueme • Reading • “Original Sin—Biological or Spiritual Problem?”
By Hans Maudeme • Longform Reading • February 17
Does our biology determine our behavior? If so, are we really responsible for our sin?
Concise
True Practical Holiness: How the Means of Grace Keep us from Domesticating Sin
By Colin McCulloch • Concise Article • February 19
We know we ought to be holy—but how?
Concise
The Gospel Announces God’s Last Day Verdict for All Who Believe in Jesus Christ: Justified and Sins Forgiven
By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • February 20
There is a present and future dimension to salvation in Christ—it is already ours, but we have not yet received it exhaustively.
Concise
Herbert Marcuse and the Reality of Sin
By Brad Green • Concise Article • February 21
Getting the doctrine of sin wrong means our entire worldview falls apart. Herbert Marcuse is one such example.
Concise
When Women Sin: Recognizing the Subtleties of Feminine Vice
By Abigail Dodds • Concise Article • February 24
The Holy Spirit has given the church (and the women in the church) precisely what we need to hear so that we would be in good order and the Word of God would be revered.
Podcast
4.9 Hans Madueme, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Original Sin—Biological or Spiritual Problem?”
By Hans Madueme, David Schrock, Stephen Wellum • Interview • February 24
Listen in as David Shrock and Stephen Wellum interview Hans Madueme on his Christ Over All essay: “Original Sin—Biological or Spiritual Problem?"
Concise
Are Women Morally Responsible for Their Abortions?
By Ginna Cross • Concise Article • February 25
In a culture afraid to call anything sin, Christians must stand ready to lovingly confront those making choices that dishonor God.
Concise
When Do We Get Our Souls? And How Does That Affect Original Sin?
By Kyle Claunch • Concise Article • February 26
Learn more about two competing views of the origin of the soul held throughout church history—and their implications for important doctrines.
Concise
Empty Rhetoric Cannot Save You From Your Sin: A Critique of Keller, Hill, Allberry, and Sprinkle
By Jared Moore • Concise Article • February 28
Is mere homosexual desire in itself inherently sinful?
Concise
Encore: Does the Bible Give Us “No Stable Moral Code” as Richard Hays and Two Fuller Seminary Professors Contend?
By Robert Gagnon • Concise Article • March 12
God has not changed his mind on homosexual practice.
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