Making Sense of Sin: Father Matthew Presents

Episcopal priest, Matthew Moretz, of Christ's Church in Rye, NY, offers a presentation on one current Christian understanding of sin, with thanks to Kathryn Tanner, Joy Ann McDougall, and Steve Ross. Have issue with anything in the piece? Come join the centuries-old discussion! I think "blockage" is a better image because it suggests the disruption of a natural process (God's giving of gifts) rather than the way "separation" suggests spatial distance, or "breaking of law" suggests distant judge. But I am open to hearing other images for sin. "Blockage" is my favorite at the moment. I'd love to read your comments below.

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[zaynzaynzayn]

i dig father matthew's vlogs. but sometimes god is a judge, ain't he? and is a person in a "state of jesus" incapable of sin? a person living within the light of the trinity will not sin. but being in the light all the time is impossible, si?

[FatherMatthew]

I was trying to compare symbols, and my take is that sin as "blockage" is better than sin as "running afoul of a judge." Judge is a standard symbol for God in the Christian tradition, but it has its limitations.

[GreldigVedish]

Go ahead - keep making theologically liberal videos. In a few weeks, you'll be answering to ++Akinola instead of ++Schori.

[FatherMatthew]

Actually, in the Episcopal Church, my "boss" (or who I answer to) is actually my diocesan bishop, who is incidentally in Georgia. International Anglican political struggles will never change this.

[nawitus]

What else is God than an all-knowing judge who will give you eternal torture in hell? Do not try to twist the claims found in Bible to suit your "fun" image of Christianity.

[FatherMatthew]

Actually the claims of Jesus have been twisted by a fundamentalist vision, giving dark passages in a poly-vocal library of Scripture precedence over the loving, non-rivalistic vision of the Kingdom of God that Jesus had in mind. Jesus is the lens through which I read Scripture. This is not a distorting lens, but a clarifying one.

[GreldigVedish]

This has nothing to do with how genial and intelligent your priest was. Have you read the Rt. Rev. -Spong's most recent open letter to Cantuar? Is this the church you want to be a part of? Rowan will hopefully side with the GS and any priests who want to remain part of the Communion will hopefully join with CANA.

[rexthebarker]

Our African counterparts can break away for all I care my priest in Michigan was a gay man and one of the most intelligent human beings I've ever met.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

@FatherMatthew Ayahuasca is the len's which I used to find eteral life,peace and joy.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

The Tao. Look within, then look again. Look until you see the Sight. If you say you see Nothing, I say you're bang on right. ...You see the True Location, The place where all are One. You see the Void that spins the world, Suspends the stars, and shines the sun. Here you see what wasn't born, Nor lives, nor breathes, nor dies. Stay with this One Awareness. See how it ramifies.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

The guilt that the fucking church gave them in the first place,

and they being stupid enough to buy in to your shit.

I am sinless

"'I was not present when they decreed that I had to be an imbecile.'

"In other words,I will not honor agreements made in my absence.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

@nawitus

Your a barrel a laugh's.can I book you for my next birthday party.

[1952YOU1320TUBE1952]

@SlinkyDragon Do not confuse things. Religions are not remedies. Religions are the consequence of man's pitiful state of awareness. "They are replete with good intentions, but very few people are prepared to fulfill them. If their commitment meant anything of real value, the world would be full of saints, not sinners.

[concord1775]

One of my favorite 'FM' videos. But although I'm not a big 'scripture' guy I have to wonder if the use of Luke 12:14 might not be way out of context. In that passage Jesus is speaking to two greedy brothers squabbling over the fine details of an inheritance of material wealth. Jesus, with more important things to do with his time, is surely saying he isn't here as Judge Judy, he is not a judge or arbitrator in the sense of small claims court, but that does not diminish his moral authority.

[SlinkyDragon]

Er, isn't suffering a result of sin though? I mean, didn't God place a blessing on obedience and a curse on sin in Exodus? The bible also tells us that "our own wickedness will correct us." It seems like a spiritual law of cause and effect.

[musclemaggg]

hahahaha haaaaa