Julian of Norwich, Matthew and the Nature of Sin PDF

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Pond 1 Nicholas M. Pond Professor Vos CIT 201 A Friday, April 1, 2016 Second Essay: Comparison Julian of Norwich, Matthew and the Nature of Sin A theme that is discussed by both Julian of Norwich and Matthew is the discussion on the nature of sin. Both authors provide insight through specific passages when confronted with the issue of sin. In Julian of Norwich and through the gospel of Matthew we have insight to a core question which is asking what our relationship is to God. Through context, it is clear that we must realize that sin is evil. By comparing both texts the authors construct ideas based on the notion as to why this theme is essential to keeping a close relationship with God. A discussion of the nature of sin is present in chapter eighteen of Julian of Norwich’s short text. The phrase “For all things are good but sin, and nothing is wicked but sin” suggests that all is good, but sin. A question raised from this line is “Do we need to commit sins to teach ourselves and others to appreciate all that is good?” “Sin is neither a deed nor a pleasure, but when a soul deliberately chooses to sin (which is punishment in God’s eyes), in the end he has nothing at all.” This line suggests that when an individual chooses to sin that they are neither doing a deed for another nor enjoying the consequences to their actions. When an individual chooses to sin God punishes them by giving them nothing in the end. This line also suggests that when we sin we are pushing God away and out of our life. “A soul can have God in all sufferings except sin.” This suggests that God will always be with us until we deliberately choose to go against him and push him away. Another important line that I believe is crucial to understanding sin is “for Christ he is the foundation of the whole law of Christian men, and he taught us to return good for evil.” This line

Pond 2 suggests that when we see evil we should do good to overcome it. God treats us as he wants us to treat others. He wants us to hate sin, avoid it and strive to fill our soul with goodness. A second discussion of the nature of sin is from chapter twenty seven of Julian of Norwich’s long text. The phrase “God has not prevented the beginning of sin; for then, I thought, all would have been well.” Questions that are raised from this phrase are “If God had the chance to not create sin would he prevent it? Also, was sin created, because God knows we will go against him in hope of us learning right from wrong? I believe sin was created by Adam and Eve when they chose to eat from the forbidden tree and do what God told them was wrong. Sin is created so that we eventually learn that if we do good all will be well, but if we do wrong then all will be lost. A second phrase is “Sin is befitting, but all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” This phrase means that Jesus is reassuring us that sin is appropriate, but good will conquer all evil. My question is “How is sin appropriate when we are taught that it is wrongdoing?” “With this bare word ‘sin’ our Lord brought to my mind the whole extent of all that is not good.” This shows how the Lord relates sin to all that is bad and evil. “But I did not see sin; for I believe it has no sort of substance nor portion of being, nor could it be recognized were it not for the suffering which it causes.” This phrase suggests that an individual wouldn’t know what sin was if it didn’t cause such warn. The sin is the result of the action. The two passages are compared through equivalent theme development. Both passages suggest the idea that all is good except for sin. They suggest that when we sin we lose God and push him out of life. The passages suggest that sin helps us learn right from

Pond 3 wrong so that we reach a state of doing good whilst avoiding evil. Lastly, when we choose to go against God sin is our way of doing so. When it comes to the gospel of Matthew the discussion of sin is evident in chapter eighteen on the section “Temptations to Sin.” Vere six is stated as “Whoever causes one of these little ones, who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great milestone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This line suggests that when an individual causes an innocent child to sin, it is the greatest sin. The individual who does this will wish they were did due to the repercussions. This line shows how sin can corrupt innocence. Verse seven is stated as “Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” This line suggests that we should do good in the world and give caution to the individuals who do not. Verse eight is stated as “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire” This line suggests that living a life with a disability will involve suffering, but to sin will involve eternal suffering. The suffering will be so severe that there would be no comparison. Verse nine is stated as “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna.” This line suggests we should take everything in our life that causes us the temptation to sin and discard it no matter how great the loss. We need to cast it off where we wish to never be. A second discussion of the nature of sin in the gospel of Matthew is in chapter eighteen and is from the section “A Brother Who Sins.” Verse fifteen is stated as “If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you

Pond 4 have won over your brother.” This line suggests that if our brother does wrong and we can redirect him to do good then we can save his soul. Verse sixteen is stated as “If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” This line means that if you need people to help you prove that doing good is better than sinning then do so. Your brother should be worth the effort. Verse seventeen is stated as “If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.” This line does not necessarily mean go to church. The line suggests seeking spiritual guidance whether it be through a talk with a priest or through prayer. Verse eighteen is stated as “Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This line suggests that whatever is beloved to us will be brought to us in heaven. Anything that we are careless with will be lost. We need to take care of what we truly value and not take things for granted. Verse nineteen is stated as “Again, (Amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.” This line suggests that when two communities or individuals agree on something of equal value the Lord will see our sincerity and grant our wishes. Verse twenty is stated as “For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.” This line means that when we pray or are in union at church or vigil that he is present and amongst us. The Lord is always with us. The two passages from the gospel of Matthew present several themes for followers of Christ. The two passages suggest the idea that the Lord is always there. We must learn to

Pond 5 overcome evil by doing good. We should strive to live a life free of doing what is wrong; free of the thought of going against our Lord. Lastly, the passages teach readers the importance of the fact that wherever we are, the Lord is always with us. In closing, if both Julian of Norwich and Matthew were to sit down and discuss the nature of sin it is evident that they would be able to come to an agreement. Although both authors discuss sin through different language there is an underlying universal agreement. Throughout both texts it is clear that sin is evil and not good. Both texts are in relation based on the idea that God is always in our life and still is even when we choose to go against him and sin. Both texts teach readers that sin helps us learn right from wrong and overcome evil by doing what is right in accordance to staying faithful to God . To have a faithful relationship with God we must be willing to give him our all. The theme of avoiding sin is essential to keeping a close relationship with God....