Thought this was pertinent to recent conversations about sin. We’re reading this for my Social Justice class.
When theological definitions speak of rebellion against God as the common characteristic of all sin, it reminds one of the readiness of despotic governments to treat every offence as treason. Sin is not a private transaction between the sinner and God. Humanity always crowds the audience-room when God holds court. We must democratize the concept of God; then the definition of sin will become more realistic.
Beyond divine attributes, do we mean the same thing when we use the word “God”? I bet there are family resemblances, at best.
In case you are interested, I’ve just posted on this question at http://deligentia.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/what-does-god-mean/