Not sure how this works ... so if I am doing it wrong ... just move me.

But I would like to add the book "The Art of Being a Sinner" by John M. Krumm.

Could you give us a little synopsis?

Redwood, I put the title of the book in the subject line so that it would make it easier for readers to know what this thread is about. As replies go, however, the subject may revert to its original title.

I echo Liz - give us a teaser!

The art of being a sinner is not one of knowing how to sin ... for there is little art in that .... but knowing what to do with sin, with the frustration, guilt, remorse, and despair that set in.

The recognition and confession of sin has always been man's most difficult act of faith. This is what the author explores.

The point of this book is what I have been saying. I will continue to sin. After reading this book it is my desire to sin in a better manner. The best way to sin is to make ammends and to ask the Redeemer for forgiveness. It is my desire to deal with the frustration and guilt that can come.

I thought this story of a woman newspaper publisher and a clergyman... was good.

"I don't go to church anymore myself" she said casually as she introduced herself to the clergyman. "Every time I go, all they talk about is sin". The clergyman replied "I have the same objection to your newspapers".

On p. 56 the author makes this point ... If men really were totally depraved, they would be so bad that they would not even be aware they were bad. The most encouraging sign a man can have that he is not altogether lost and hoeless is his dismay over his sins. If he were all bad, he would never know it. The first step towards health is to admit one is ill.

P. 64 ... The title of this book ... suggests that our problem is not how to stop sinning but what to do about the sins we inevitably commit. Sin is overcome from outside the self, and only as a man turns away from preoccupation with his own spiritual illumnination and his supposedly superior moral virtue and opens his life to the forgiveness of God, is he beginning to overcome sin.

I agree with this. We really can't deal with sin unless we realize that our life is not worthy of salvation. Our claim to salvation is that we are not worthy but our Saviour IS.

I picked this up at my local conference office. And I like the twist of focus that it provides. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Redwood,

You have me intrigued with this "teaser." I think I might have to get a copy.

MG

Great. I would highly recommend it.

We do need to know how to sin "better" !!!