‘Sin can look like many different things’

An exploration of undergraduate evangelical theology students’ conceptualisations of sin in relation to practice

Bibliographic Data

ID20242518
AuthorsAbigail Maguire (0000-0002-9460-9620, Brooklands College, corresponding author), Isaac McNish (0000-0002-4475-3616, Brooklands College)
Year2025
Volume18
Issue3
Pages177-191
Publication date2025-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePractical Theology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1756-073X • E-ISSN: 1756-0748
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1756073x.2025.2450570
OpenAlexW4408043054
LanguageEN
References cited20

At the outset of their undergraduate studies, how do students engage with ‘sin’ as a theological concept? This study delves into students’ reflective journal entries using reflexive thematic analysis to identify their everyday, or ordinary, interpretations of sin. The findings reveal that students’ understandings of sin are multifaceted, encompassing theological, individual, and social dimensions. Following descriptions of these findings, we engage students’ lived experiences in a critical dialogue with academic theological perspectives. This process includes proposing revised interpretations of each relationship, highlighting gaps or imbalances in their current conceptualizations, and identifying areas for growth as they advance in their theological education

Sociology · Theology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Computer Science · Philosophy · Religious Education and Schools · Theological Perspectives and Practices