Is addiction the new "sin"?

"Behavior that was once called sin is often today called addiction," Linda A. Mercadante writes in her book Victims & Sinners: Spiritual Roots of Addiction and Recovery (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1991), page 5. An excerpt from Mercadante's book was one of the readings for my Spirituality class this week as we focused our attention on different types of addictions and how they may relate to spirituality.*

If sin can be defined as separation from God (and from others and ourselves), as Mercadante points out, then addiction surely seems to fit the category in that it also mars and destroys relationships. The author doesn't label addiction as sin, per se, but instead theorizes (and cites others who agree) that the "addiction-recovery model" perhaps has replaced the traditional sin-salvation model in contemporary parlance. She suggests that, for many, the addiction-recovery metaphor seems more humane and less judgmental than the concept of sin, which is perhaps considered "needlessly negative and discouraging" (9). I would add that the notion of sin appears to have become largely irrelevant in our post-modern society.

If sin at one time described our unavoidable human predicament, addiction seems to be filling that role now, with people claiming addiction to everything from chocolate to work to alcohol and pills -- sometimes in jest, at other time, not. Mercadante asserts that support groups, including recovery groups, often appeal to people -- yes, even church people -- who feel neglected or out-of-touch with the mainstream, isolated from family, friends, and society. She further argues that the church needs to "explore its contribution to the situation." She writes that "in many ways the church has failed to guide people to 'think theologically' about everyday life and broader cultural, political, and social issues," leading to the "functional demise of sin in public consciousness" (9).

Interestingly, Mercadante posits that the addiction model falls short in comparison to a "rich, developed doctrine of sin" that is coupled with an equally strong doctrine of grace. As she says, "the doctrine of sin is a derivative of the much more crucial doctrine of salvation. An accurate understanding of sin comes only through the experience of grace."  I propose we ask ourselves if the church needs to recover (and refresh) its teaching about sin -- and God's gift of grace? Can we find new (relevant and healthy) ways to talk and teach about sin and the human condition that would increase our understanding of redemption? How can we reach out to embrace and assist those who suffer with physical and behavioral addictions, helping them find appropriate recovery programs and at the same time offering them a welcoming place within the church community? How can we better proclaim the message of God's healing love and grace?

Speaking of grace, the most powerful (and grace-filled) portion of our class this week was when one of our classmates read from her journal about her own experiences with addictions. Her sharing about her father's alcoholism and her own eating disorders were immensely moving, as she shared from the depths of her soul. She clearly has acquired great wisdom and compassion from those potentially heartbreaking experiences. It was a blessed time for us all.  Thanks be to God!

*Caveat: I do not want anyone to read here that I believe addiction is a sin.  I have experience with alcoholism both in my family and through my volunteer work, and I know it as a disease.  That said, I found our readings this week informative, as they reflected a variety of perspectives and addictions.  In this blog, I wanted to share my reactions to Mercadante's provocative insights and what they might mean for us as spiritual people and leaders.