What is Hamartiology?

Question
My pastor has talked about his study of hamartiology. What did he mean?
Answer

Hamartiology comes from the Greek word hamartia which means "missing the mark" and is the study of the doctrine of sin. It encompasses topics such as the Fall, degrees of sin, original sin, and human accountability for sin. It is interested in such questions as the nature, the extent, the pollution, the guilt of sin, and whether God "ordained" sin, while not being its author.

Sin is the transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4). It's rebellion against God (Deut. 9:7; Josh. 1:18). We inherited "original sin" (Rom. 5:12) - that is Adam and Eve's sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Unrepented sin leads to eternal condemnation (Rom. 6:23).

Answer by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr.

Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr., D.D., M.Div. is the Theological Editor at Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill).