I'm trying to understand how Protestants view sin

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If Protestants of any denomination could please tell me how you personally interprate sin.
Please don’t give me the typical answer all actions against God are sin
I want to know what are really bad sins and how you know it’s really bad.
This is spurned by talking to an episcapalian pastor that said abortion is ok, a Baptsit saying self gradification is ok, another Baptsit saying thier not sure if an iud is abortion inducing so they don’t know what to tell thier congregation, a Lutheran saying a vesectimy is ok but not the pill, a elca Lutheran saying gay marriage is ok.
This was the biggest issue by far that brought me back to the catholic church the clarity of the docterine of mortal sin and the structured view of it

Thanks
 
From what I understand, Protestants don’t have mortal sin or venial sin. Sin is just sin. And some things the Bible or the Catholic Church call sins are no longer considered sins by some denominations.

A lot of Protestants believe in “once saved always saved.” They confess their sins to the Lord, but the only thing necessary for salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is by faith alone, everything else is secondary. They don’t include works or actions.

But I haven’t really studied Protestantism very much, so I could be wrong. Ever since I found this website and started learning about Catholicism a few years ago, whenever I looked at Protestant websites I would look around a bit… but then I’d read something incorrect about Catholicism and then I’d leave… 🤷
 
stephe1987 said:
From what I understand, Protestants don’t have mortal sin or venial sin. Sin is just sin. And some things the Bible or the Catholic Church call sins are no longer considered sins by some denominations.

A lot of Protestants believe in “once saved always saved.” They confess their sins to the Lord, but the only thing necessary for salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is by faith alone, everything else is secondary. They don’t include works or actions.

But I haven’t really studied Protestantism very much, so I could be wrong. Ever since I found this website and started learning about Catholicism a few years ago, whenever I looked at Protestant websites I would look around a bit… but then I’d read something incorrect about Catholicism and then I’d leave… 🤷
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It depends on which doctrine denomination. Some dont believe it is Faith alone. They believe in sinless perfection and sin no more. They believe they have stopped sinning all Sins.
 
The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) plays a big role on the concept of sin. Protestant denominations that reject the idea of this Sacrament also would view sins accordingly without the needs for personal confession and penance.
 
I see sin as missing the mark (there is a Hebrew word meaning this which is used in the Bible). Sin is an action that violates the Ten Commandments and also violates Jesus’ injunctions to love God with all our heart and to love others as ourselves.

I have belonged to the Methodist and Lutheran (ELCA) demoninations and have attended the Episcopalian church. I haven’t encountered the venial vs mortal sin distinction that Catholics make. I don’t see a list of bad actions in these denominations that are sins.

The Methodist church does not recognize same sex marriage and has disciplined gay clergy. The other two are more liberal on the issue.

I think all 3 see abortion as an issue that a woman has to decide in consultation with her doctor and her conscience.

In the Episcopal church, a penitent can make a confession to a priest but they don’t have to (I never have). In all 3, people are supposed to confess their sins directly to God.
 
Many Evangelical Protestants see sin as forgiven for Christians (those who have asked Jesus into their heart to be their personal Savior).

ALL sins are forgiven for Christians–past, present, and future. And no penance necessary, because Jesus paid it all.

Perhaps this explains to you why so many Evangelical Protestants are so happy all the time! Wouldn’t you be happy if ALL your sins, past,present, and future, were completely forgiven and no penance was required of you, and purgatory didn’t exist? I know I was happy when I was Evangelical Protestant!
 
Cat said:
Many Evangelical Protestants see sin as forgiven for Christians (those who have asked Jesus into their heart to be their personal Savior).

ALL sins are forgiven for Christians–past, present, and future. And no penance necessary, because Jesus paid it all.

Perhaps this explains to you why so many Evangelical Protestants are so happy all the time! Wouldn’t you be happy if ALL your sins, past,present, and future, were completely forgiven and no penance was required of you, and purgatory didn’t exist? I know I was happy when I was Evangelical Protestant!
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I was happy too until I found out it wasn’t so. Or until the original “high” wore off!🤷
 
Lisa1967 said:
I see sin as missing the mark (there is a Hebrew word meaning this which is used in the Bible). Sin is an action that violates the Ten Commandments and also violates Jesus’ injunctions to love God with all our heart and to love others as ourselves.
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My view of sin is the same. And yes, there is variation among different Protestant denominations regarding what is/isn’t sin, though according to polls I’ve read, there’s quite a lot of variability amongst Catholics as well in their personal beliefs. This of course doesn’t prove what’s right/wrong - I think it simply proves the importance of having more inter- and intra-faith dialogue, to further our understanding of such an important piece of our faith and our view of the world.

Personally, I don’t think that Catholics and Protestants view sin being all that different - not like, say, comparing apples to oranges. The OP mentioned a few issues that divide us, but remember, there are hundreds of things that both Protestants and Catholics would see eye to eye on. Stealing, adultery, abuse, lying, etc. And while Protestants don’t have venial vs. mortal sin, we know that some sins are worse than others - e.g., murder will send one to hell, though lesser sins won’t just by themselves.

I think the bigger difference concerns what comes after sin - salvation. But that’s a topic for a different thread probably.
 
Adamski said:
If Protestants of any denomination could please tell me how you personally interprate sin.
Please don’t give me the typical answer all actions against God are sin
I want to know what are really bad sins and how you know it’s really bad.
This is spurned by talking to an episcapalian pastor that said abortion is ok, a Baptsit saying self gradification is ok, another Baptsit saying thier not sure if an iud is abortion inducing so they don’t know what to tell thier congregation, a Lutheran saying a vesectimy is ok but not the pill, a elca Lutheran saying gay marriage is ok.
This was the biggest issue by far that brought me back to the catholic church the clarity of the docterine of mortal sin and the structured view of it

Thanks
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Sin can be categorized into the lusts of the eye, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life.

We know from the word of God that we are made in His image and even in the wombs of our mothers God formed us and knew us. Therefore, the killing of an innocent child through abortion is just that–killing an innocent child. Forms of birth control that prevent conception do not kill existing life, so this is not sin.

Homosexual acts is clearly condemned in Scripture. I know some liberal Protestants like to say that Paul wasn’t talking about gay people as we know them today but “effeminate men” or something like that, but I’m not convinced. They stretch Scripture to the breaking point.

When it comes to mortal versus venial sins, I don’t know anything about that. Sin is sin is sin. It’s all the same. However, while all sin shares the same essential nature, not all sin has the same consequences or the same guilt. If I beat up my kid brother, I obviously have done something wrong, but I would not face the same consequences or guilt that I would face if I murdered someone in cold blood.
 
shaky said:
It depends on which doctrine denomination. Some dont believe it is Faith alone. They believe in sinless perfection and sin no more. They believe they have stopped sinning all Sins.
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Most Protestants who are accused of believing in “sinless perfection” don’t believe in sinless perfection. They believe in Christian perfection or entire sanctification, which is not the inability to sin but a work of grace where God purifies our motives and allows perfect submission and full consecration. This full consecration allows the Christian to more fully live a life of holiness, but no one will ever be “sinless.”
 
When I attened a Christian missionary alliance, a Calvary chapel and a evangelical covedent church it always seemed as we read through the bible we where opening some tea leaves to see what it meant. But if a person had a hibitual sin that the couldn’t stop they couldn’t find it in the bible, but they could always find the other guys sin in the bible. On instance was in my 20’s when everyone was single no one saw anything wrong with pre marital sex and the second they got married it was a big bad sin ( which it is) that meant one wasn’t “saved”.
 
Adamski said:
When I attened a Christian missionary alliance, a Calvary chapel and a evangelical covedent church it always seemed as we read through the bible we where opening some tea leaves to see what it meant. But if a person had a hibitual sin that the couldn’t stop they couldn’t find it in the bible, but they could always find the other guys sin in the bible. On instance was in my 20’s when everyone was single no one saw anything wrong with pre marital sex and the second they got married it was a big bad sin ( which it is) that meant one wasn’t “saved”.
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Ever heard the saying “When you point one finger at another person you are pointing four fingers back at you”? It seems always easy to see the sins which other people commit. I think Jesus said it best when he condemned people for trying to remove a splinter from someone else’s eye when they themselves have a huge log in their own eye. As far as your post is concerned in my younger years I’ve “been there, done that” It always amazed me that two protestant assemblies across the street from one another could read the same Bible, same verse and get two completely different interpretations from that verse.:hmmm:
 
Cat said:
Many Evangelical Protestants see sin as forgiven for Christians (those who have asked Jesus into their heart to be their personal Savior).

ALL sins are forgiven for Christians–past, present, and future. And no penance necessary, because Jesus paid it all.

Perhaps this explains to you why so many Evangelical Protestants are so happy all the time! Wouldn’t you be happy if ALL your sins, past,present, and future, were completely forgiven and no penance was required of you, and purgatory didn’t exist? I know I was happy when I was Evangelical Protestant!
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Ignorance is bliss!
 
Cat said:
Many Evangelical Protestants see sin as forgiven for Christians (those who have asked Jesus into their heart to be their personal Savior).

ALL sins are forgiven for Christians–past, present, and future. And no penance necessary, because Jesus paid it all.

Perhaps this explains to you why so many Evangelical Protestants are so happy all the time! Wouldn’t you be happy if ALL your sins, past,present, and future, were completely forgiven and no penance was required of you, and purgatory didn’t exist? I know I was happy when I was Evangelical Protestant!
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Hello Cat,

Normally I like your posts, but what you say here is inaccurate.

I know it varies by denomination, but the churches I’ve been affiliated with view sin differently than what you state here. Not all Protestant churches are “once saved, always saved”.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, it is true that it is viewed that all your past and present sins are forgiven…but only if you show repentance (which would hopefully be a given if someone has dedicated their life to Christ). And no, not all your future sins are forgiven from that moment on. Whenever you commit those sins in the future, even as a Christian, you have to have contrition otherwise the sins are not forgiven. Repentance is key!

So, at least in the churches I’ve been in, what’s taught is not an attitude of “well all my future sins are forgiven anyway, so I can do what I like and be happy!” Rather they taught that becoming a Christian is more of a constant growth process, and in that process, repenting and asking for the forgiveness of sins is imperative. It is not something taken for granted.

I’m sorry Cat that you had such an immature representation of the faith, but just know that not all Protestant denominations teach what you posted here.
 
UnumCorpus said:
Hello Cat,

Normally I like your posts, but what you say here is inaccurate.

I know it varies by denomination, but the churches I’ve been affiliated with view sin differently than what you state here. Not all Protestant churches are “once saved, always saved”.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, it is true that it is viewed that all your past and present sins are forgiven…but only if you show repentance (which would hopefully be a given if someone has dedicated their life to Christ). And no, not all your future sins are forgiven from that moment on. Whenever you commit those sins in the future, even as a Christian, you have to have contrition otherwise the sins are not forgiven. Repentance is key!

So, at least in the churches I’ve been in, what’s taught is not an attitude of “well all my future sins are forgiven anyway, so I can do what I like and be happy!” Rather they taught that becoming a Christian is more of a constant growth process, and in that process, repenting and asking for the forgiveness of sins is imperative. It is not something taken for granted.

I’m sorry Cat that you had such an immature representation of the faith, but just know that not all Protestant denominations teach what you posted here.
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In one protestant assembly I was taught that only present and past sins can receive forgiveness and then only if you repent of them. Future sins cannot be forgiven until you commit them! Again repentance is the key. But you can’t repent of a sin you haven’t committed yet. Also I was taught that true freedom is not the license to do what you WANT–rather it is the freedom to do what you OUGHT! If one is a slave to a particular sin one is not truly free. One preacher put it this way-- A train is free to do what it is supposed to do only when it is on the track, but if it becomes derailed the freedom is over!🙂
 
Adamski said:
If Protestants of any denomination could please tell me how you personally interprate sin.
Please don’t give me the typical answer all actions against God are sin
I want to know what are really bad sins and how you know it’s really bad.
This is spurned by talking to an episcapalian pastor that said abortion is ok, a Baptsit saying self gradification is ok, another Baptsit saying thier not sure if an iud is abortion inducing so they don’t know what to tell thier congregation, a Lutheran saying a vesectimy is ok but not the pill, a elca Lutheran saying gay marriage is ok.
This was the biggest issue by far that brought me back to the catholic church the clarity of the docterine of mortal sin and the structured view of it

Thanks
Click to expand...
Just a brief personal perspective from a Lutheran.

There are, indeed, mortal sins. All sins by the unregenerate are mortal sins. All sins can become mortal to the regenerate if they damage faith to a great degree. Repeated and unrepented sins can be mortal.
The key is, for this Lutheran, to try to remain faithful, godly, in the way I treat others, the way live my life. I also no that there is no way for me to be completely sinless, but Christ has left us the sacraments of Absolution (Reconciliation) and the Eucharist, to strengthen my faith and resolve, and for the remission of sins.

I don’t know if that answers your question, but there it is.

Jon
 
Adamski said:
If Protestants of any denomination could please tell me how you personally interprate sin.
Please don’t give me the typical answer all actions against God are sin
I want to know what are really bad sins and how you know it’s really bad.
This is spurned by talking to an episcapalian pastor that said abortion is ok, a Baptsit saying self gradification is ok, another Baptsit saying thier not sure if an iud is abortion inducing so they don’t know what to tell thier congregation, a Lutheran saying a vesectimy is ok but not the pill, a elca Lutheran saying gay marriage is ok.
This was the biggest issue by far that brought me back to the catholic church the clarity of the docterine of mortal sin and the structured view of it

Thanks
Click to expand...
13 I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. 16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

RSVCE (1 Jn 5:13–17).

13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17*All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

ESV (1 Jn 5:13–17).

I think we can agree that: sin leading to death is mortal and that sin not leading to death is not mortal.

I mean, its semantics but we can see how the beauty of the RSV brings forth these words into a much simpler manner.

Right there in the Bible there is a difference in sins.

Further, in relation to sin there is an explicit clause:

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

RSVCE (1 Jn 1:9–10).

Which is completely consistent with what John writes:

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

RSVCE (Jn 20:21–23).
 
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