I came across a piece in Christianity Today. It’s an interview of Sally Lloyd-Jones, an author of children’s books. The interview was conducted in light of the success of The Jesus Storybook Bible. It’s an interesting read, especially when Lloyd-Jones describes the perspective from which she writes for children.
One highlight was her reference to how, as adults, we have allowed ourselves to be drawn away from story—where real characters act, and think, and feel—and focus more on ideas and moral lessons. In the end, we fail to interact with the personal God, whom scripture introduces to the reader and whose story is told. Consider how she describes the concept of sin with a more personal and relational tone.
Sin is not just breaking rules, it’s breaking God’s heart, and … sin is like poison: it makes your heart sick and not work properly anymore. Sin is running away from God and hiding in the shadows from him. It could also be thinking you don’t need God and could [be] happy by yourself, but God knows that isn’t possible since happiness doesn’t exist without him.
We may easily see how that perspective works well to introduce the concept of sin to children when presented in story form. But we may miss the fact that what is said is biblically sound, and is most important for adults to grasp as well. For sin is not just a problem of behavior (moral, ethical, or legal); it is a problem of relationship. It is the personal act of rebellion against a personal God. Sin is the foolish declaration of independence from God.
This becomes relevant in light of the current refrain one hears in discussions about morality and faith: “Good without God.” The claim is that one can live a morally upright life without the presence or influence of God. We can argue the matter of how one may define “good” without reference to a divine standard. But even if we set that discussion aside, the matter becomes irrelevant when it comes to defining sin. Assuming that one can be moral without God, the fact remains that it is our choice to disregard God—to do things our way—that constitutes sin. You may be “good” on your own (whatever that may mean), but you will still be a sinner without God. The issue is your personal relationship with God. That is what matters.
A child will understand what an estranged relationship is like; a child will feel the tragedy of a broken heart. So, too, will an adult, if only he is willing to listen to the story of the God who loves.
—Keith Y. Jainga