Friday, October 23, 2009

Does all sin fall under the category of stealing?

I was watching the movie 'The Kite Runner' tonight. It's a pretty good movie, but has some rather disturbing scenes. I wouldn't recommend it for children, but the story is interesting. I may read the book and see how it compares. But the question in the title is what I want to discuss. The father in the story tells his son that all sin is theft of some sort. That theft is the worst sin. He suggests murder is stealing - stealing someone's life. Stealing a father, or mother, or brother, or sister, or wife, or husband, etc. from someone. Robbing the individual of a life they would never experience. Lying is stealing one's right to the truth.

What about some of the sins? I guess adultery is stealing someone from someone else. Stealing their heart. Or their body. Or both. Idolatry would be stealing the worship and focus from God. I haven't really thought about how others would fit into this category, but in a way this makes sense. Robbing someone of something of value. Disrespecting. Dishonouring. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting concept worthy of thinking about a bit more.

Tell me what you think.... do you agree with this idea? Any thoughts? Or do you have another idea that relates?

2 comments:

Valerie said...

As a latecomer to Christianity, there are some hotbutton words that tend to make my teeth clench, sin is one of them. I think I made peace with the word when I took away the sense of law and judgment and looked at sin as anything that moves you away from God, as opposed to things you can do that move you closer to God - that can be as simple as enjoying the beauty of silhouetted tree branches, or smiling at a stranger.

So yeah, I could see all sin as stealing. Taking away opportunities to connect with God, connect with others, connect with yourself. They all, on one level or another result in a loss. And whether you're stealing from God, stealing from someone else, or cheating yourself doesn't really matter 'cause it's all interconnected anyway.

Interesting concept Patti, thanks for posting it.

patti said...

Thanks Val. I like your idea that sin is anything that moves you away from God. And you're right, we can do a lot of simple things that move us closer to God .... like appreciating the small things, the details, doing something to make someone's day.

The idea of all sin as a form of stealing kind of grows on me and definitely leaves room to explore what that might mean.