The Seven Deadly Sins: How to overcome life's most toxic habits

by Graham Tomlin

"It's naughty but nice." "I know I shouldn't really, but it will be fun and won't do any harm." The idea of 'sin' today evokes smirks rather than shudders. We find it hard to see why our ancestors got so agitated about it: haven't we got beyond such prudery? By examining each of The Seven Deadly Sins in turn, Graham Tomlin restores sin to its proper place as something to be deeply feared. He shows how contemporary culture reverses traditional wisdom and finds each sin seductive in different ways. Tomlin demonstrates that these practices are destructive habits that ruin lives, relationships and societies. Finally, he shows how the Christian faith offers resources to help defeat these habits and replace them with more constructive ones. Writing for all those interested in personal spirituality and philosophy, the author offers an accessible guide to wise living.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2007

About the author

Graham Tomlin (Ph.D., Exeter University) is dean of St. Mellitus College, London. He taught on Martin Luther and the Reformation in the theology faculty of the University of Oxford for eight years. He is the author, among many other publications, of The Power of the Cross: Theology and the Death of Christ in Paul, Luther and Pascal and Luther and His World.

Reviews

[Derek Winterburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomlin does an excellent job of both defending the need to isolate specific sinful attitudes and then expounding the toxicity of each one. He is careful to finish each chapter with some practical steps to overcome them. There are numerous references to other writers and illustrations from life. At the back of the book the keys points are helpfully tabulated.

If there is one weakness, it is that the book does not have sense of passion for the positive virtues. 'Good behaviour' seems merely to counteract the sins. (I also don't believe that the cover of the second edition is any improvement on the more abstract first edition's.)

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a lot of information on each of the seven deadly sins. I read an excerpt each day and learned a lot through those days that I read. I only gave four stars because it is a dry read but other than that good information.

[Bo Manson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. Easy to digest. This book talk about just the same dilemma we have nowadays be it in Muslim's community or Christian's or any religion. It applies to every one of us.

[Steven Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortunately I’m not prejudiced against religious writings. Thankfully the suggested antidote to each sin includes practical action an agnostic can employ.