Exactly!

If we don't get our helplessness, then we don't get why we need grace. If we don't see the need for grace, we don't think we need Jesus.

Which means that we're wrong, and not open to the Truth.

I guess with the focus on the OT and Revelations – that hasn't been my experience, but you are right we need the whole counsel of God.

As for sin? Yes, I despair at the secular watering down of the concept. At the same time, i also despair at the laser like focus which some Christians occupy most of their time and attention on only one or two 'big' sins, having to do mostly with sexuality issues, which is important, but which hardly dominated, or was at the heart of, Christ's message.

I would like to see recognition of sin restored to its rightful scope in all of its dastardly forms; Capital 'S' Sin: selfishness, greed, hatefulness, power-grabbing at the expense of others. . .you know the list and it is long and affects all of us, not just a few subgroups, to whom it is easy to point one's finger if one considers oneself 'above' whatever sin they are committing.

You know, the old Log/Speck argument.

Looking at my coffee this morning. . .hmmn, quite a few specks floating around in there. . .anybody got a log I can borrow to fish them out with?? Seem to have lost mine!!!

My wife has been a counseling psychologist for years, but as she's gotten deeper into her walk, she's become mostly a non-practicing psychologist – scoring tests for a treatment center and seeing a single client. Part of the reason she's gotten out of the field was how the insurance system works – in order to get paid, you need to give the companies a diagnosis quickly – in most cases long before you may know what the most accurate diagnosis is.

The other dominant reason is that the profession is not geared to deal with sin issues – where there is a valid mental health issue, by all means diagnose it and treat it, whether that means psychotherapy, medication, a combination of the two, or some other modality. Once the mental illness has been addressed, however, the choice to submit one's will and one's life to the care of God is back in the heart of the individual. Insurance companies won't pay for spiritual solutions – probably a good thing – but in the meantime, those who need real help don't get it, and the culture we live in perpetuates the blame game.