John E. Toews Releases THE STORY OF ORIGINAL SIN, Aug 29

Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology Gary Anderson states, "Sin has history" meaning that there is a story behind the theology of sin. In The Story of Original Sin, Toews explains the emergence of the doctrine of original sin with the theology of Augustine in the late fourth century on the basis of a mistranslation of the Greek text of Romans 5:12. The thesis of this book is that there is a story behind the theology of original sin, and that story by the time we reach its classical formulation in Augustine in the late fourth and early fifth century is a long way from the beginning of the story in the narrative of Genesis. Toews suggests that it is time to move past Augustine's theology of sin, and embrace a different theology that is arguably more biblically grounded, and makes more sense in the postmodern West and the developing world.

Through careful reading of the Bible and centuries of interpretation of the biblical text, Toews demonstrates that the common understanding of original sin is not as old or as universal as many assume. This will unsettle some and excite others, but all will benefit from reflecting anew on this crucial topic.

John Toews is the first Mennonite theologian to do a detailed study of the origins and concept of original sin. He offers a compelling argument that sin is a matter of choice, not a state into which all humans are born. This book is a must-read for all who search for understanding of God's truth in their own lives.

About the Author: John E. Toews is the retired President of Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo, and the Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament Literature emeritus of the Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary.

About the publisher: James Clarke and Co Ltd is a long-established British academic publisher specialising in historical and theological books and also in reference material. It has been associated with the Lutterworth Press since 1984.