Brett:

I can't agree on your take on sin. Adam and Eve's action led to death (yes, they were still God's children, but were sanctioned for their act that led to death and the curse). I do not know how one can read Romans 3-5 and not see sin as a part of the equation (Gospel answers the dilemma of Romans 3:10-18, which is about sin). Whatever hilasterion means in Romans 3, it does deal with ideas tied to sacrifice and sin. As for sin not being mentioned in judgment passages, I think this is an example the word-concept fallacy (I have to have the word sin to have the idea be present-- and that equation is wrong). To judge because of the committing of certain vices is to judge for sin. So thanks for your kind comments, but I cannot accept the distinctions you are making on sin and salvation (as you suspected). Romans and Galatians are too clear on such points.