Berkhof Briefs: The Scripture Idea of Sin

Outline

• First, sin is a specific kind of evil.
• Second, sin has an absolute character.
• Third, sin always has a relation to God and His will.
• Fourth, sin includes both guilt and pollution.
• Fifth, the seat of sin is the heart.
• Sixth, sin is not limited to visible actions.

---

Louis Berkhof was born in the Netherlands in 1873, where his family was part of the Christian Reformed Church. In 1881, his family immigrated to Grand Rapids, in the United States. Berkhof studied at Calvin College, Calvin Seminary, and then at Princeton Seminary. From 1906 to 1944, Berkhof was professor of theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. He wrote extensively on Reformed theology. Louis Berkhof died in 1957.