Evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins, has criticized Christianity for being “obsessed with sin”. It was a typical jab from a man who seems to enjoy bashing Christians. But while his choice of the word “obsessed” suggests a weird preoccupation with sin, Dawkins is quite correct in his observation that sin is given much attention in the Bible. This is in contrast to the religions of the world which treat sin lightly and seek to focus more on the potential for good in man.

The extensive study of sin in Christianity may seem depressing to some. However, the preaching of the gospel of God’s grace through Christ only became necessary because sin and its consequences entered the world through the first man: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom. 5:12). As sinners, we are all “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). But before we can understand salvation, we must first understand why we need salvation.

Hamartiology is an important branch of Christian theology that focuses on the subject of sin, which is defined in the Bible as lawlessness (1 Joh. 3:4). Sin is the failure to keep God’s law and to uphold His righteousness, thus failing to glorify the Lord fully. Hamartiology deals with how sin originated, how it affects humanity, and its consequences after death. We are all sinners—by inheritance, by imputation, and by our own personal choice (Rom. 3:23). 

Hamartiology also explains why God must condemn us for our sins and points to the solution for sin—the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When we truly come to grips with our sinful nature, we begin to fathom the depth and breadth of the nature of our great God who, on the one hand, condemns sinners to hell in righteous judgment and, on the other hand, satisfies His own requirement for perfection. Only when we understand the depth of sin can we understand the height of God’s love for sinners: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6).

Sin is a deadly disease that infects all of mankind from conception (Psa. 51:5) and its cure is found only in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24-26). The three Synoptic Gospels give an account of Jesus healing a leper (Mat. 8:2-4; Mar. 1:40-44; Luk. 5:12-14).  Luke says the man was “covered with leprosy” (v.12). GotQuestions Ministries has commented that, “the key lesson to be learned from this incident is that sin defiles us in the sight of God, but through Christ, we can be healed of the plague of sin that separates us from God. God loathes sin; it is repulsive to Him. Sin bans us from the presence of God because God will not allow sinful man in His sight and presence.”

Dawkins’ remark about sin reveals a common lack of knowledge about the God of the Bible; HE is HOLY. After God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage and led them through the sea with great signs and wonders, Moses and Israel sang praises to God: “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? (Exo. 15:11). This holy God cannot look upon sin with approval. The Prophet Habakkuk said of God, “Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favor” (Hab. 1:13a).

We see this meticulous holiness of God reflected in the laws of the Old Covenant between God and the nation of Israel. For example, unintentional sins (mistakes) that may be committed by individuals or the congregation could not be overlooked; special sacrifices were prescribed (Num. 15:22-29). Vows had to be kept (Num. 30). The scope of the sixth commandment that forbids murder (Exo. 20:13) was extended to cover death caused through carelessness or negligence.

These laws distinguished Israel as holy (separate) from the surrounding nations and their abominable practices. Moses reminded Israel, “what great nation is there that has statutes and judgements as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” (Deu. 4:8). “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deu. 14:2). This also applies to all believers under the New Covenant.

Modern society has rejected God’s Word and has embraced philosophies and religions which teach man is basically good and simply need to follow some rules to be accepted by God. However, Israel had to account to God for all sins with specific sacrifices. The repeated sacrifices were, “a reminder of sins” (Heb. 10:3) since it was not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10:4). The Ligonier Study Bible notes: “The OT sacrifices were a public notice, before God and humanity, that the people were sinful and thus still guilty and subject to condemnation because of their sin (Lev. 5:15)”.

 Consciousness of sin comes through an understanding of the holiness and power of God. When the Prophet Isaiah had a vision of angels worshipping the holy God on His throne, he exclaimed: “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips (Isa. 6:5). Isaiah realized that sin was the common denominator of all mankind. When the Apostle Peter saw a demonstration of the power of Jesus, “he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!’” (Luk. 5:8).

We can only pray and hope, that the Holy Spirit will open the heart of Richard Dawkins and other unbelievers to understand that the gospel of Christ begins with a conviction of sin and ends with forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ. “So that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness, to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 5:21).