QRUEL

I couldn't find info on this in the archives ( i swear I looked first)

Does God view all sin as being equal ?

Tigers!

Yes.
The definition of venal and mortal sins or whites lies and technicolour extravaganzas are human constructs.

QRUEL

I was hoping for specific biblical passages

John Kesler

If you think that all sins are equal, then how do you interpret these passages?

Splarnst

So stealing a candy bar and murdering someone are equally bad? I just want to hear you say that.

Oh, and it's venial, not venal.

Tigers!

Thank you for pointing out my spelling mistake, that's a word I always have trouble with.

All sin is equal in essence but not in possible consequence (as you note).
All sin is considered as rebellion against God. Rebellion is rebellion, just sometimes the ways and means differ.

QRUEL

so there is eternal sin and mortal sin ?

eternal sin is blasphamy the jesus

and mortal sin is what ? everything else ?

are there different levels of mortal sin ?

other than the one eternal sin, does god view all the rest as the same ?

Tigers!

Let's get specific. I'll deal with theft. BTW I am assuming that all agree that theft is wrong, if not this conversation will die very quickly.

theft (from the COED)

• noun the action or crime of stealing.

Note that the definition gives no thought to the value or consequences of the theft.

Every theft has 3 components
1. The action itself i.e. the theft
2. The "value" of the theft, usually tangible i.e. money, property etc:, can be intangible i.e. time, someone's reputation etc:
3. The consequences aka the punishment.

A theft of $10 is considered different to a theft of $1,000,000. But note carefully that only the "value" and the consequence are considered differently. Both both cases a theft has occured, that is not in dispute. The issue is the consequences. Generally speaking we would expect that the consequences for these two thefts would be different due to the differing "value" involved but again the act of theft is identical in both cases.
So looking at 'sin' we can follow a similar reasoning
1. A sin is committed
2. "Value" of that sin
3. Consequences of that sin.
God views all sin (i.e point 1) as equal due the the act having been committed but the "value" (point 2) and consequences (point 3) may differ.
That is why there is an unforgiveable sin - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and all other sins are forgiveable. The consequences of the unforgiveable sin are such that no restitution or expiation is possible.

Splarnst

So they're the same but they're different. Gotcha.

QRUEL

not once out of the countless times i have been witnessed to have I EVER been asked

fundy: "oh by the way, before I go any further in my proselytizing, have you ever blasphemed the jesus ?" "If so I'll stop now because your soul cannot be saved, as that's an eternal sin"

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