In the orthodox teaching we say that some belong to the state of the slave, others to the state of the hireling and others to the state of the son. In general, it must be pointed out that sin in the orthodox teaching is darkening of the nous, while repentance and forgiveness of sins are the illumination of the nous. Sin is regarded as an illness of the soul. Sin is not placed in a legal framework, but a medical one.
In conclusion we can say that our relationship with God should not be regarded as juridical, legal, but as personal ecclesiastical. The legalistic view is alien to the orthodox mind. When we think that God has been offended by the sin which we commit and that we must therefore do everything to appease Him, when our relationship with God is put on a business basis, then we are living in the legalistic spirit.
~Metropolitan Hierotheos
Prayerful Life 
His “take” is–understandably–consistent with BOTH the piece you sent earlier (with which I am intermittently “wrestling”, but not like Jacob); and with our contemporary secular world view that sin is a “medical” condition, treatable not with theology but with therapy. See: TRIUMPH OF THE THERAPEUTIC by Phillip Rieff.
*Derek Simmons* retiredinsanclemente@gmail.com
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Hi Derek. I don’t believe the orthodox view would deny that God can, does and will punish sin but rather sees this discipline within a greater context of healing for our salvation. Further it sees theology, or the communion of man with God through Christ, as the definition of healing.
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Way back in 1973 Karl *Menninger*’s book WHATEVER BECAME OF *SIN*? was published. Before that in 1966 Phillip Rieff published his book TRIUMPH OF THE THERAPEUTIC. *Sin* is out of favor with folks who think they’re good and anything bad that happens to them is somebody else’s fault
*Derek Simmons* retiredinsanclemente@gmail.com
On Tue, Aug 14, 2018 at 10:49 AM Derek Simmons wrote:
> His “take” is–understandably–consistent with BOTH the piece you sent > earlier (with which I am intermittently “wrestling”, but not like Jacob); > and with our contemporary secular world view that sin is a “medical” > condition, treatable not with theology but with therapy. > See: TRIUMPH OF THE THERAPEUTIC by Phillip Rieff. > > *Derek Simmons* > retiredinsanclemente@gmail.com > > > > > On Tue, Aug 14, 2018 at 10:04 AM Prayerful Life comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote: > >> prayerfullife7 posted: “In the orthodox teaching we say that some belong >> to the state of the slave, others to the state of the hireling and others >> to the state of the son. In general, it must be pointed out that sin in the >> orthodox teaching is darkening of the nous, while repent” >>
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Thanks Derek. The Orthodox certainly wouldn’t do away with the concept of sin or pass the buck regarding our responsibility for our sin. I think the orthodox view would hold sin and discipline within a greater context of healing though. Correction of sin to heal the sinner as an aspect of his salvation in the Lord. I will check into that book but from what you wrote it sounds like it describes a very different meaning of spiritual therapy than the orthodox meaning.
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