Sin: a history

Part one: Introducing the problem. What is a sin?

A burden to be borne

A debt to be repaid

Part two: Making payment on one's debt. Redemption and the satisfaction of debts

Ancient creditors, bound laborers, and the sanctity of the land

Lengthening the term of debt

Loans and the Rabbinic sages

Early Christian thinking on the atonement

Part three: Balancing debts with virtue. Redeem your sins with alms

Salvation by works?

A treasury in heaven

Why God became man.