1. Sin

2. Physical Evil
• There are physical evils that are not
caused by anyone/anything, but just
part of earthly life.
• Natural events -
Tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, f
ires, etc.

3. Moral Evil
• Moral evil is the result of human
choice.
–A choice for evil is a sin.
–All moral evil can be avoided.
–Both the agent and the recipient
are harmed by moral evil.

4. Definitions of Sin
• Augustine: Sin is any deed, word or
desire against eternal law.
• Aquinas: Sin is the voluntary
transgression of the divine moral law.
• Aquinas: Sin is a turning away from God,
to creatures in a disordered way.

5. Sin is a Personal Act
• Sin is a human act,
therefore a person is
always responsible for
his/her sins.

6. Five Classifications of Sin
1. Original or Actual
2. Mortal or Venial
3. Formal or Material
4. Commission or Omission
5. Internal or External

7. Five Classifications of Sin
1. Original or Actual
• Original Sin committed by
Adam and Eve
• Actual Sin committed by
individuals

8. Five Classifications of Sin
• Gravity: Moral or Venial
– Venial sins are lesser sins, but by repetition can
lead to mortal sin and/or a life a vice
• Mortal Sin requires three things:
• Grave Matter
• Full knowledge of the sinfulness of
the act
• Complete consent – act is committed
freely and deliberately

9. Five Classifications of Sin
Formal or Material (Consider Intent)
• Formal sin is a voluntary and freely
chosen action contrary to God’s law:
carries culpability
• Material sin is an involuntary action
without either full knowledge or full
deliberation – does not have culpability.

10. Five Classifications of Sin
Commission or Omission
–Commission is choice to do an
evil act
–Omission is choice not to do
something that you should
(help a person in
danger, attend Mass)

11. Five Classifications of Sin
Manifestation:
Internal or External
External sin is committed with
words or actions
Internal sin is committed with
thought or desire

12. Occasion of Sin
• Along with avoiding sin, one
also has the obligation to
avoid occasions of sin: any
person, place or thing that
will likely lead to sin. Avoid
temptations that will likely
lead to sin.

13. Cooperation in Evil
• Formal cooperation: agreeing with or
cooperating in the commission of evil
– Explicit
– Implicit
Material cooperation – helping another do an act
that is not in of itself evil but helps another do
evil.
Immediate
Mediate: proximate and remote

14. Effects of Sin
• Weakening/ break in love of God
– Those who sin are called to conversion and
forgiveness

15. Sacraments of Forgiveness
• BAPTISM is the primary sacrament of
forgiveness – all sin: original, venial and
mortal is forgiven in Baptism
• For sins committed after Baptism, the
Sacrament of Reconciliation is the ordinary
path to forgiveness and should be received
regularly.

16. Justification
• Justification is possible because of Christ’s
Passion and Death.
– We receive justification at Baptism
• Justification is the remission of sins, sanctification of
the person and the voluntary reception of grace and
gifts.

17. Contrition
• Sincere sorrow for having
offended God.
– Perfect contrition immediately
forgives sin- sorry because we have
offended God
– Imperfect contrition with
sacramental absolution forgives sin –
sorrow because of shame, or
because we fear the punishment for
our sins.

18. Conversion
• Christ is always willing to
forgive us
– Parable of Prodigal Son is best
example of the power of
conversion.

19. List the sins mentioned in these
writings of St. Paul
• Romans 1:29-31; 13:13
• 1 Cor 5:10-11; 6: 9-10
• 2 Cor 12:20-21
• Gal 5: 19-21
• Eph 4:31; 5:3-5
• Col 3: 5-8
• 1Tm 1:9-10; 4:12; 6: 9-11
• 2 Tm 3:2-5
• Ti 3:3