The Myth of Sin

By D.R. Oliver

While many regret our history and existence, there is one thing I know for sure—the Creator would not have done this any other way. D.R. Oliver has completed her new book “The Myth of Sin”: a fascinating work drawn from her faith journey growing up in an atheist household to being an engaged churchgoer to finally exploring the possibilities of God through quantum physics and embracing faith-based concepts shaped by logical analysis. The author writes, “While many regret our history and existence, there is one thing I know for sure—a Creator would not have done this any other way.” Published by Page Publishing, D.R. Oliver’s engrossing book is a provocative choice for reader of any- or no- religious persuasion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781644629666

Book preview

The Concept of Sin

The subject that gets men in power exhilarated is the same that separates most humans from self-worth.

According to the Bible, sin is an act of transgression against divine law and God’s holy nature. It is said to be an evil act that violates the original nature of man and creates separation from the Creator. Sin is also said to be an offense against God who had no choice but to send us away so his holy nature would not be tainted.

The most prevalent Christian idea of sin is that it changed our divine essence, created separation from our Creator, and required a brutal sacrificial act to repair it. But is it really possible for temporary actions to change our essence, whatever this essence may be? Does it even make sense for Christians to believe a loving god would set us up for such failure?

According to Christianity, we were born with free will to err in the ways of sin, but none of us can avoid sinning. How is that logical?

Does it make sense to be born into an unavoidable curse and still be referred to as free-willed beings? The notion that a fair and loving god holds people completely responsible with a nature that they did not create for themselves makes no sense. That is the illogical dogma we intend to address going forward.

The Original Sin

The concept of original sin was first mentioned in the second century by a French bishop called Irenaeus as a counterargument to dualist Gnostics. It is based on the fall of man, or when the first man Adam disobeyed a direct command from God in the story of the Garden of Eden. The concept of original sin states that every man born after Adam inherited his same sinful and fallen nature.

Even though the Hebrew scriptures and the Gospels make no mention of this hereditary sin, to this day, a large part of Christians embrace the idea that even though we were created perfect, with just one choice, Adam made us all flawed.

The most prominent passage that supports this doctrine can be seen in the letter of the apostle Paul to the Romans, chapter 5, verses 12 through 19. This is a difficult passage where Paul establishes a parallel between Adam and Christ and connects Jesus’s crucifixion to the idea of a generational curse upon all humanity.

Jesus did not establish this theology himself. The apostle—who never met Jesus in the flesh—did. This concept of original sin is the basis for the myth of sin.

This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth.

The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow from the ground: trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden, he placed the tree of life and