The Hebrew word for Sin “חטא” is “to Miss the mark.”
This definition changes my faith in profound ways.
Precision on the definition of Sin is important for me because it seems to illuminate an interesting idea: that there is a correct way to approach what is often described as “The kingdom of heaven”. Supposedly, the “mark” is the kingdom, and if there is an intent of settling into the kingdom, then there appears to be correct actions to take, and incorrect actions to take, for how else would one know whether they are progressing towards this Kingdom?
The previous interpretation of Sin had a different flavor. It had a stronger leaning towards “Iniquity”, which means immoral or unfair behavior. However, if I were to take a literal approach, then the word Sin has no say in the space of morality. It’s simply “to miss the mark.” This simple, more literal approach, voids imagination as to what could be defined as Sin. Not that imagination is inappropriate, but imagination makes space for interpretations which have no basis on anything other than conjecture.
Sin is “Not That”
Again, I want to stress heavily that the word Sin has no direct say on morality. It just so happens that our modern interpretation of morality (what the collective might interpret as righteous or wrong) happens to align with what Sin might be. But again, Sin is “to miss the mark.” In other words, “not quite this” and “not quite that.” This and That have a vagueness, which I believe can be misinterpreted as “This might be the right way to live”. Imagination then opens the door to all sorts of rules and regulations which don’t actually point the person at the kingdom of heaven of anymore.
I’d like to allude to Genesis, which holds a myth regarding Sin. Myths are helpful in that they can convey information which cannot be transmitted by conceptual understanding. In Genesis, God finds that Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. When they ate the fruit, they gained the capacity to judge their actions as good or bad. What did God do but kick them out of the kingdom! Not only that, but he placed extra protection for the tree. For me, this message is clear: we simply cannot judge for ourselves what is Sin, for if we judged an action as good or bad, within the context of trying to reach the kingdom of heaven, than that is also a Sin, or simply, “we missed the mark” yet again.
Jesus Died for your Sins
It is often said: “Jesus died for your Sins”. I interpret that as: “Jesus went through the life that he did, so that those after him may know exactly what to do, to settle into the kingdom.” Thankfully, his life was recorded in such a way that we could interpret Sin. Otherwise, it is harder for the layman to understand what is the intent.
The bible does a good Job at describing what Sin is by using what in Sankrit is known as “Neti-Neti”, which translates to “Not this.” Why not this? And not “This is it”? Because to abide in the kingdom of heaven,
Signs of “Progress”
I use quotations around progress because the absolute sense of the word
Yet, when we compare one moment in time with another, and pick out differences between the two, we perceive change. Then if there is such a thing as “progress” and then by definition, if something were to move towards the direction of progress it would be considered good progress or bad progress depending on its perceived trajectory, relative to the target. Its relative, you see?
How then can we judge something as reaching or moving towards its target, if it cannot be corrected, via judgements such as good or bad. To say that something is moving in a good direction, is an indication that it is reaching its goal. Another way of saying the same thing is that it is making progress.
However, in case of Sin, and attainment of the kingdom of heaven, progress doesn’t make sense anymore, because Sin alludes to the emptying of one self of all desires.
Paradoxically, we can perceive progress, by taking arbitrary moments in time and comparing them. For example, someone truly lost within the own demons, far away from the light, so to speak could later, after time spend repenting, and practicing Christian virtues, be made more light and with greater ease. There is a noticable change in their personality, and their life circumstances which is reflected by the choices they’ve made. In this case we can play this game of placing the word “progress” unto this person. We could say he is closer to the kingdom of heaven than before.
There is a feeling of grief. Following in Jesus’ footsteps, I cannot help but weep, as all of my hopes and dreams have slowly dissolved. These hopes and dreams are purely in my own mind. And yet, when I let go of them, I can’t help but grief.
Less Meaning
It is written “So that they may believe” many times in the Bible.