Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place

by Danielle Shroyer

Overview

Of the worlds major religions, only Christianity holds to a doctrine of original sin. Ideas are powerful, and they shape who we are and who we become. The fact that many Christians believe there is something in human nature that is, and will always be, contrary to God, is not just a problem but a tragedy.

So why do the doctrines assumptions of human nature so infiltrate our pulpits, sermons, and theological bookshelves? How is it so misconstrued in times of grief, pastoral care, and personal shame? How did we fall so far from Gods original blessing in the garden to this pervasive belief in humanitys innate inability to do good?

In this book, Danielle Shroyer takes readers through an overview of the historical development of the doctrine, pointing out important missteps and overcalculations, and providing alternative ways to approach often-used Scriptures. Throughout, she brings the primary claims of original sin to their untenable (and unbiblical) conclusions. In Original Blessing, she shows not only how we got this doctrine wrong, but how we can put sin back in its rightful place: in a broader context of redemption and the blessing of humanitys creation in the image of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781451496765
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	829,787
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Danielle Shroyer is the author of three books, most recently Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place. Danielle was a founding member of the emerging church movement, and pastored one of the first independent emerging churches for eight years. She now writes, speaks, and blogs full-time. A graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Danielle lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two children. You can find her at danielleshroyer.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Elevator Pitch ix

I Awakening to Blessing

Blessing is Like Bulletproof Glass 3

Blessing is God's Prerogative 11

Original Sin is Unnecessary and Unhelpful 25

A Tale of Two Boxes and a Golden Thread 47

II Revisiting the Garden

Let's All Take a Deep Breath about Genesis 59

God's Actions Speak Loudly of Blessing 75

You Can't Rush Happily Ever After 87

III Rethinking Sin

East of Eden 113

We're Blankets, Not Sheets of Steel 131

We All Live Downstream 141

Bodies, Babies, and Baptism 153

IV Rediscovering Jesus

Why Do We Need Jesus? 167

Why the Cross is a Blessing 177

V Living into Blessing

Practice, Not Perfect 195

Serpents, Doves, and Eyeglasses 205

Acknowledgments 215

Bibliography 217

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2017
Theologian Rienhold Niebuhr stated that original sin is the only empirically verifiable doctrine of Christianity. Shroyer (pastoral theologian in residence, Journey Church, Dallas; The Boundary-Breaking God) insists that original sin is not only not verifiable, but that it has no place in Christian teaching. The author maintains that the biblical message of the blessing of humans being made in the image of God—and God striving to bring that blessing out in the midst of our brokenness—is distorted by a doctrine that views a human nature fundamentally at odds with God. Shroyer maintains original sin has no place in Eastern Orthodoxy, and that no clear statement of it can be found before the fourth century CE. She then examines passages of Scripture typically used to support original sin, showing God as sanctifying a good—albeit flawed—humanity, rather than God overcoming a people inherently bent to evil. VERDICT This analysis is not flawless, as the concept of original sin Shroyer investigates may likely not align with that of the reader's. However, the author provides a worthwhile antidote to one of the more corrosive ideas in Western Christianity, shifting attention to more constructive ones.—JW

Library Journal