ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the main religious and social changes which have led to new definitions of sin. It describes the fractured meta-narrative of Christianity in Britain, that is, the erosion of the network of assumptions that used to shape and support popular religious belief. The chapter utilizes the word fractured because, for many, the structures and institutions which had been built up around Christianity from the third century on to control and define the narrative continue to hold, if only precariously. It also considers some changes that have taken place in western societies, particularly developments in social policy and scientific discovery, which have been major factors causing the way we live to be described as post-Christian. The liberation theologians in particular have revolted against the individualistic views of sin. Gustavo Gutierrez confronts what he sees as the threefold nature of sin: economic and socio-political oppression, historical determinism and spiritual sin.
