There was NO RECORDING of teaching #27 on May 18th. Pastor Rhode gives a review of what the May 18th session was about and he shared this LINK: https://www.gottesdienst.org/podcast/2023/5/24/tgc-290-the-homogenization-of-sin, indicating it provides an excellent summary of what was missed. Today the teaching covers the subject of Contrition, Questions 121 to 126.

This important teaching on sin continues. Take note of pastor's answer to a question from a member who asked, "Would someone be violating their conscience if they continue to sin?" His answer begins at 58:00 of the video.

The Holy Scriptures teach that original sin, which all humans inherit from conception and birth, is a sin that conflicts with the law of God and merits eternal wrath. It is the chief sin, from which all other actual sins flow. While we may not be in control of our spontaneous sinful thoughts, they originate from our corrupt and depraved nature due to original sin. This corruption runs deep, and it is in opposition to God.

The subject is sin. From a Lutheran perspective, the distinction between mortal and venial sins is not based on the severity of the sin itself, but on the repentance or lack thereof. Mortal sins are those for which there is no contrition or repentance, while venial sins are those that are not reckoned against us due to our repentance. While there are varying degrees of sin, Lutherans take concepts like the Seven Deadly Sins seriously because they reveal deep-rooted, sinful desires and passions that can manifest in various additional sins. It is important not to oversimplify the concept of sin and to recognize the wisdom of the church in understanding sin and its effects.

What is sin? Can we sin against the civil government? If so how? What is original sin? These and other questions are addressed in this introductory section titled Sin in the book.