What is the main concern with redefining sin as psychological dysfunction?

Redefining sin as trauma, low self-esteem, or dysfunction minimizes the seriousness of rebellion against God. It replaces repentance and redemption with therapeutic strategies, undermining the gospel’s power to transform the heart.

What does the Bible say about the nature of sin?

The Bible teaches that sin is not merely behavioral or psychological but a condition of the heart. It is rebellion against God’s law, rooted in our fallen nature. Scripture calls for repentance, not self-management, as the solution.

Can the Church still show compassion while confronting sin biblically?

Yes. The Church must respond with both grace and truth. While acknowledging real pain and trauma, Christians are called to speak biblically about sin and point people to the cross of Christ as the only true hope for transformation.

How should Christians respond to self-help and therapeutic culture?

Christians should evaluate self-help ideas through a biblical lens. While emotional healing and growth are valuable, they must not replace the gospel. True transformation comes through repentance, faith in Christ, and sanctification by the Spirit.

The Psychology of Sin: A Biblical Correction

Name: The Psychology of Sin: A Biblical Correction
Uploaded: 2025-07-23
Channel: Dave Jenkins
Description: In this episode of Equipping You in Grace, Dave Jenkins explains how psychology has redefined sin—and why only the gospel offers true hope and healing.

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

The Psychology of Sin: A Biblical Correction

Series: Equipping the Mind and Heart – Biblical Truth for a Challenging Culture
Air Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Host: Dave Jenkins

🎧 Episode Overview

In this episode of Equipping You in Grace, Dave Jenkins addresses the growing trend of redefining sin through a psychological lens. Instead of viewing sin as rebellion against a holy God, it is increasingly labeled as dysfunction, trauma, or emotional damage. Dave explains how this redefinition undermines the gospel, weakens repentance, and distorts sanctification. He also outlines a robust biblical view of the heart, the doctrine of sin, and why the church must respond with both compassion and gospel clarity.

🎙️ Listen or Watch

🔑 Key Themes

How secular psychology redefines sin
Why minimizing sin weakens the gospel
The biblical doctrine of sin and the heart
Gospel-centered hope vs. therapeutic coping
Pastoral responses to trauma without compromising truth

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Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.

Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.

He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).

You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.

When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.

Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

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