'The word sinner is a theological designation. It is essential to insist on this. It is not a moralistic judgment. It is not a word that places humans somewhere along a continuum ranging from angel to ape, assessing them as relatively "good" or "bad." It designates humans in relation to God and sees them as seperated from God. Sinner means something is awry between humans and God. In that state people may be wicked, unhappy, anxious and poor. Or, they may be virtuous, happy, and affluent. Those items are not part of the judgment. The theological fact is that humans are not close to God and are not serving God.'
Eugene H Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor, p.118.
