The Fall to Violence: Original Sin in Relational Theology

About this book

In this book Suchocki argues that the condition of "original sin" is not primarily a "rebellion against God " but a "rebellion against creation." Sin is action that whether intentionally or not contributes to the ill-being of earth or its inhabitants. Its underlying root is not "pride " but a triadic structure that involves (1) a human bent toward aggression that easily tends toward violence; (2) the solidarity of human beings with one another and their environing world so that to some degree each participates in the plight of all; and (3) social structures that invariably influence the consciousness and conscience of participants in those structures. Given these three factors to be human is necessarily to be a participant in conditions that make for ill-being as well as well-being. Suchocki concludes her discussion with an interpretation of forgiveness as willing the well-being of victim and violator in the fullest possible knowledge of the nature of the violence. Forgiveness or living and acting from the will toward well-being breaks the chain of violence answering sin with grace.