Christianity: General

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church Further reading

Venial sin

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Venial sin. In Christian moral theology, a sin which is less grave or deliberate than mortal sin and so does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace. On the basis of John 5. 16 the fathers posited two classes of sins, but the modern distinction goes back to the scholastics, especially Thomas Aquinas. According to the theology of penance, there is no obligation to confess venial sins. For the Hindu distinction between major and minor offences, see MAHĀPĀTAKA.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Venialsin.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Venialsin.html

Learn more about citation styles

venial sin

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Copyright

venial sin. In RC moral theology, a sin which, though it disposes the soul to death and is the greatest of all evils except mortal sin (q.v.), does not wholly deprive the soul of sanctifying grace.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-venialsin.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "venial sin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-venialsin.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Venial journalists.(Opinion & Editorial) Newspaper article from: Manila Bulletin; 5/17/2005
	Archbishop issues warning on danger of 'new sins'.(PAGE ONE) Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 3/11/2008
	How many cigarettes make a mortal sin? (Redemptionist priest Francis Connell... Magazine article from: National Catholic Reporter; 8/1/1997