The Seven Deadly Sins: And How to Overcome Them

This sprightly introduction to the seven deadlies—and sin in general—is reminiscent of such mid–20th-century authors as J.B. Phillips and C.S. Lewis in its clear presentation, measured conversational tone and often startling analysis. Sin, says Tomlin, is not so much “breaking the rules” as “destructive habits” that isolate us from others. Looking at each of the traditional mortal sins in turn, Tomlin, principal of St. Paul’s Theological Centre in London, describes not only the behavior (“if greed is the desire to be rich, pride is the desire to be richer than everyone else”) but also its downside (envy “is the one sin on the list that has no pleasure in it whatsoever”). In addition, Tomlin suggests ways to overcome each sin. Gluttony, for example, is best challenged by observing Christian fasts, “to remind us that food needs to be kept in its place,” and feasts, “to remind us that food is a very good thing.” A potential classic, this little import may nevertheless annoy non-Anglophilic readers by its markedly British spellings, terminology and design. (July)