"[The] main thesis [of this book is] that: (1) the Christian doctrine of sin is offensive to the reason and repelled by the intelligensia and academia; (2) without this doctrine of sin much of human life and history remains forever opaque; (3) with it a shaft of light is cast upon personal existence, social existence, and the course of history, giving clarity that nothing else in the religions of the world nor the philosophies of the world can provide." -Bernard Ramm

This masterful study-broad-ranging, judicious, and accessible-clarifies the multidimensional nature of sin by exploring theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological facets, while it shows how Christian theology provides the most lucid, helpful understanding of this universal problem and the key to healing sin's disastrous effect upon the whole of our history.

Defining sin as "the sum of all human woes, evils, and suffering." Bernard Ramm recasts the meaning of the Fall and original sin, and examines the historical development of Christian doctrine, the nature and seriousness of sin, the dynamic of sin seen in its effects both in the human psyche and in relations with other human beings. He carefully analyzes the theological arguments against and for traditional Christian dogma, finding that the full reality of sin is best revealed in light of the cross and in the reconciling and atoning work of Jesus Christ.

Offense to Reason investigates the Old and New Testament texts that speak of human sin-paying special attention to Paul's Epistles-showing how "the case Scripture makes against the human race [touches] the whole world... every creature... every human who has lived, is living, or will yet live." At the same time, the author shows how "the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" points the one efficacious way to move beyond "the actual and potential evils of our world from the small hamlet or African bush village to international relationships [which] we would call either sin or the effects of sin."

Taking into consideration the most significant interpretations of sin and depravity offered by scholars in a variety of disciplines from existential literature to Freudian psychology to sociobiology, Offense to Reason defends the Christian theology of sin, echoed in all religions and in many secular versions of human existence, as essential for understanding humanity's misfortune in a world alienated from its maker.

Through careful analysis and probing insight, Ramm shows how the problem of sin resides at the center of both personal and social life in all times, societies, circumstances. Offense to Reason argues cogently that, for all its apparent affront to our rational nature, "the Christian doctrine of sin, while not denying that Christians can learn from other sources, is the most comprehensive and satisfying explanation of personal and social ills," and, by implication, offers the only satisfying solution to the riddle of evil that has troubled human consciousness since the dawn of time.