The Seven Deadly Sins: And How to Overcome Them

A theologian shows how contemporary culture finds each sin attractive, and suggests how we might overcome their destructiveness in practical and focused ways, drawing on the Christian faith
"I know I shouldn't really, but it will be fun and won't do any harm." That's the way we think of "sin" today. The word evokes smirks rather than shudders, and we find it hard to see why our ancestors got so agitated about it. If we do think about sin, we tend to equate it with such things as harming the environment or intolerance rather than gluttony or pride. This book seeks to restore the idea of sin to its proper place as something to be deeply feared. It explores the seven sins in turn, taking us on a spiritual journey towards a new and better way of life. It shows how contemporary culture reverses traditional wisdom, and finds each of them attractive in different ways. However, these practices are not peccadilloes but destructive habits, which destroy lives, relationships, environments, and societies. Finally, it shows how the Christian faith can offer resources to help remove these habits and replace them with more constructive ones. For all those interested in personal spirituality and philosophy, this is a thoughtful and accessible guide to wise living.