A History of Sin

How Evil Changes, But Never Goes Away

John Portmann

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English

Rowman and Littlefield
25 May 2007

Ethics & moral philosophy; Religion & beliefs; Theology

In A History of Sin, John Portmann argues that especially since 9/11, the reality of sin has made a strong comeback, and he believes that even liberal Christians, who have downplayed the notion of sin, have to take the fact of personal evildoing seriously. Starting in the present, Portmann then loops back into the past to outline the key moments in the history of sin from the ancient Greeks and Israelites through Jesus and Paul to Augustine and Dante and on up to the present.

A History of Sin reveals how some kinds of sin, such as usury, have faded or undergone radical transformation, and how other activities, such as slavery, polygamy, gender inequality, etc., have come to be regarded as sinful. In this highly readable volume, Portmann examines how our changing understanding of sin impacts today's society.

By: John Portmann
Imprint: Rowman and Littlefield
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: annotated edition
Dimensions: Height: 237mm, Width: 161mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 513g
ISBN: 9780742558137
ISBN 10: 0742558134
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 25 May 2007
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John Portmann is professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He is the author of When Bad Things Happen to Other People, Sex & Heaven, and Bad for Us.

Reviews for A History of Sin: How Evil Changes, But Never Goes Away

In this most original and thought-provoking book, Portmann persuasively shows that humans will always sin, though they may attempt to decrease the number and the seriousness of such sins. A must-read, and not only for sinners.--Aaron Ben-Zeev