Sin - Research Proposal
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Dec 6, 2023
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Research Proposal for
A Biblical Study of Sin
Andrew Stephen Davis
PACO 501 Foundational Doctrines for Pastoral Counselors
September 11, 2023
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Working Thesis Statement
The doctrine of sin is at the center of every issue of life and the Scriptures are sufficient
in every counseling situation as it deals with man’s sin.
The Need for Study
The need for counseling would not exist if it were not for sin. Sin is at the heart of every
issue of life. Whether our issues are self-inflicted or due to an outside source, the underlying
issue is sin. The whole person is effected by sin. Our hearts, minds, actions, and attitudes are
marred by sin and need constant readjusting to be in line with the Truth from God’s Word. If we
can understand our own sin better, we can understand how to be renewed daily in our thinking
and our pursuit of holiness.
The Outline of the Study
Introduction
The doctrine of sin is at the center of every issue of life and the Scriptures are sufficient
in every counseling situation as it deals with man’s sin. When we look at the topics of
depression, anger, resentment, and stress we see the underlying issue is often sin. While medical
issues may be real and medication may be needed, sin is the ultimate issue at hand. If it were not
for sin, we would not have counselees and counselors.
Biblical/Exegetical Studies Supporting A Biblical Study of Sin
The doctrine of sin will be addressed as we look first at the entrance of sin into the heart
of man. Genesis 3:1 marks an important tactic of Satan that he uses all throughout Scripture to
undermine the authority of God. At the heart of sin, we have the want to go directly against
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God’s plan and authority. After understanding the entrance of sin into the hearts of man, we will
then move to the result of sin in man’s life. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, James 1:14-16, and
Ephesians 4:17-19 are just a few verses that point to the effects sin has on man. Sin separates us
from God, it perverts our minds, and leads to death. Though the curse of sin on man is great, it
can be overcome through the blood of Jesus. Romans 6:18 and Romans 8:1-4 are two of the
many verses that tell us of the freedom that God offers to mankind. Sin will ultimately be
defeated and those who are in Christ will live eternally with Him. What is the response of man
now as we live in a sin-cursed world and wait for the day that Jesus returns? Romans 12:1-2 tells
us to be renewed in our minds. We must have a correct thinking of who God is. We must go back
to the Garden of Eden and daily ask ourselves, “Hath God said?..” It is only by having a correct
view of our sin and a correct view of God that we can progress in our walk on earth.
Theological Implications of a Biblical Study of Sin
When we understand the effect of sin on all of our lives we see the need for the Truth. Sin
entered the world through lies and we have been spending all of human history trying to find the
truth. If we can understand that (other than medical issues) counseling problems are sin
problems, we can rely more heavily on the Word of God for our answers. Also as counselors we
understand that the salvation from sin is brought about by God. While we are His hands and feet,
the results are up to Him. This takes the pressure off of the counselor to produce change and
instead assist the counselee in getting to the Truth. For the counselee, they can understand that a
wrongdoing may be the result of a sin cursed world and not anything they have done. On the
other hand, some counselees will be able to see the need to renew their minds daily and have a
different outlook on their situation. As they see their own sinfulness, they will see a need for a
return to Truth.
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Conclusion
It has been said that every counseling problem is a theological problem. We can see that
this thought could be taken a step further and we could say that have counseling issue is a sin
issue. We will never completely get passed sin in our lives and outside of our control in this life.
By understanding the doctrine of sin we can better understand our need for Truth. R.C Sproul
once said that the problem with the American church is that people don’t know who they are and
they don’t know who God is. When we understand ourselves we understand sin, and by
understanding sin we can understand God and grow closer to Him.
Bibliography
Erickson, Millard.
Introduction to Christian Doctrine
, 3rd ed. Edited by L. Arnold Hustad.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015.
Jones, Mark, and Rosaria. Butterfield.
Knowing Sin: Seeing a Neglected Doctrine through the
Eyes of the Puritans
. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2022.
Lambert, Heath.
A Theology Of Biblical Counseling : the Doctrinal Foundations Of Counseling
Ministry
. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2016.
Leitch, Addison H., George Eldon Ladd, Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, Fred H. Klooster, Anthony
A. Hoekema, J. Kenneth (Joseph Kenneth) Grider, G. W. (Geoffrey William) Bromiley, et
al.
Basics of the Faith : an Evangelical Introduction to Christian Doctrine
. Edited by Carl
F. H. Henry. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019.
McMinn, Mark R.
Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling : an Integrative Paradigm
. Downers
Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2008.
Moo, Douglas J.
The Letter to the Romans
. Second edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018.