All sins are NOT equal. A thread.

In the rubble of yet another faith hero-turned-villain, I again see some responding, “My sins are no better.” The logic is thus: (a) any violation of God’s law makes one guilty; (b) I have violated God’s law; therefore, (c) I’m guilty along with all others. 2/12

The language “all sins are equal” is being used in the sense of “all sins equally break God’s law and make one guilty.” In practical terms, at least, this likely reflects deeper commitments to the penal substitutionary model of atonement. 3/12

This is the model that views Jesus’ death primarily as the solution to the problem: Jesus takes the punishment we deserved for our crime. 4/12

When this view is held exclusively, it logically appraises all sin at the same cost: each sin merits punishment, and therefore all sins are leveled in terms of cost. 5/12

Though I have issues with this model, my main concern here is when this model is held exclusively. Because in the Bible and in human experience, we see that all sins are not the same. 6/12

I mean, the bulk of Leviticus describes how to deal with different violations of relationships. The prescription is not the same for every one; some violations are deemed more heinous than others. 7/12

And not all people are the same. Moses isn’t “perfect,” but he is clearly more righteous than Pharaoh. God does not say, “Well Moses is just as bad as Pharaoh.” Regularly, God indicates that the sinfulness of some people is worse than that of others. 8/12

The fundamental problem, I think, involves two factors: (a) our society’s prioritization of individuality, and (b) our exclusive preference for an “innocent vs. guilty” framework. 9/12

In the Bible, both of these, though playing a role, do not capture all that needs to be said about human relationships with others and with God. 10/12

Other models are needed, too—models that highlight the need for communal rescue; models that extend beyond the framework of innocence and guilt. 11/12

Some actions perpetrated by some people are worse than others. They have a greater effect; they reveal deeper depravity. And when Christians respond by flattening all sin in cost, they perpetuate a system that will cause people to get hurt. 12/12