In Your Anger Do Not Sin: The Propriety of Anger in Christian Response

Abstract

“In your anger, do not sin.” The apostle Paul quotes this verse from Psalm 4 in his letter to the Ephesians. Upon first glance at this verse, people might think Paul is too emotional, for he is asking them to do something impossible: to be angry, but not sin in that anger. Perhaps they know their own struggles with anger—or their sins in that anger—and they do not think they can experience righteous anger. But this thesis seeks to prove that it is possible for Christians to experience a righteous anger. This thesis begins with a psychological view of anger, namely, how it affects people physiologically and psychologically. It then moves onto both a Scriptural and theological view of anger, looking at what the inspired writers and Christian theologians say regarding anger. Finally, it concludes with a close look at biblical examples of anger, from which encouragements and cautions about handling anger can be made.