The Seven Deadly Sins, Christianity, and the Tall Poppy Syndrome.
Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye? Luke 6:41
Christianity and the seven deadly sins (7DS) are inexorably intertwined. I also believe the link between the tall poppy syndrome and the seven deadly sins is inescapable. Envy, anger, and sloth are often found in the peer-to-peer cutter; pride, greed, and lust are frequently detected in the public TP who has been tall poppied (see Anatomy of the TALL POPPY SYNDROME).
Religious leaders are not only subject to the frailties of human nature but also the sin of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, while not a component of the 7DS is often noted in the TP who is justifiably cut down (see Hypocrisy, Harvard, Francesca Gino, and the Tall Poppy Syndrome).
Seven Deadly Sins. From my new book, Sin to Virtue - Transforming the Tall Poppy Syndrome by Understanding the Seven Deadly Sins:
The 7 DS represent a collection of vices in Christian teachings that are considered especially harmful to a person's moral well-being. This idea has evolved over the centuries, leading to changes in its interpretation.
Early Christianity (4th century)
The 7DS has its roots in the early Christian church, especially in the writings of the Church Fathers. Although it was not always as formalized as it is today, it remained a central idea focused on the vices that could lead someone away from God and moral goodness.
The earliest concept of the deadly sins began with a Christian monk named Evagrius Ponticus. His work, Praktikos (around 375 AD), outlined eight "evil thoughts" that he believed hindered spiritual progress. These included gluttony, avarice (greed), and sadness. Evagrius viewed these internal temptations as potential sources of sin.
John Cassian, a 5th-century monk, built on the teachings of Evagrius. His writings clarified these vices, highlighting that unchecked thoughts could lead to more serious, sinful actions.
The Formalization (6th Century)
As we understand today, the 7DS was popularized and formalized mainly by Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great. He revised Evagrius’ list of eight vices, combining some and refining others into the seven deadly sins: pride, greed (avarice), lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.
Gregory believed these seven sins were the root causes of all other sins, acting as gateways to more sinful behavior. His categorization had a lasting influence on Western Christianity and Catholic theology.
Medieval Period
The concept of the 7DS became a key focus in Christian moral teachings during the Middle Ages, guiding people to live virtuous lives by avoiding the temptations associated with these sins.
The 7DS was frequently depicted in medieval and Renaissance art, notably in works like Dante’s Divine Comedy (14th century) and various frescoes and manuscripts. For example, in Dante’s Inferno, the sins are portrayed in Hell, where each deadly sin is punished in a way that reflects its nature.
The Catholic Church frequently used the 7DS to guide confession and repentance. Each sin was linked to specific behaviors or attitudes that required contrition, and the faithful were encouraged to cultivate the corresponding virtues (e.g., humility for pride, generosity for greed).
Renaissance and Reformation
The 7DS played a crucial role in religious thought during the Renaissance and the Reformation. While the Catholic Church maintained the traditional view, Protestant Reformers, such as Martin Luther in his Table Talk (1529), prioritized faith and grace over moral conduct as the main path to salvation rather than merely avoiding sin. However, the concept of sin remained central to Protestant beliefs as well.
Modern Interpretations
The 7DS has shifted toward more symbolic and psychological themes in recent times. It now focuses on human nature, morality, and social behavior. These topics are examined across different contexts, including religious texts, secular writings, psychology, and pop culture.
These sins are often analyzed through the lens of the human mind. For example, modern psychologists may associate sins with various forms of addiction, obsession, or harmful behavior patterns. Pride is sometimes linked to narcissism, greed to materialism, and lust to unhealthy sexual fixation.
The 7DS continues to influence literature, movies, television shows, and video games, where it is often portrayed as a central theme or character. Notable examples include the film Seven (1995), directed by David Fincher, which centers around a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as a basis for his crimes, and the popular video game Dante's Inferno (2010).
God gave the Jews the Ten Commandments as a moral guide after freeing them from slavery in a pagan foreign land for 400 years. The Christian monks and Popes further codified behaviors they felt hindered spiritual well-being, including those of the clergy. These same 7DS are often noted in TPS.
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is a conservative Anglican denomination established in 2009 by clergy and lay members who separated from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada over doctrinal disagreements, particularly regarding the ordination of women and acceptance of same-sex relationships. The church was founded in Bedford, Texas, during its inaugural provincial assembly, where its constitution and canons were formally adopted and Robert Duncan, former Episcopal bishop of Pittsburgh, was elected its first archbishop.
Disputes within the Episcopal Church intensified in the early 2000s, most notably after the consecration of Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop, and the authorization of rites for same-sex unions in Canada. These actions prompted conservative dioceses and parishes in both the US and Canada to realign themselves with more traditional Anglican provinces in the Global South, including churches in Africa and South America. The growing momentum for separation led to the formation of the Common Cause Partnership, which united various conservative Anglican groups and laid the foundation for the ACNA.
The ACNA positions itself as a province committed to orthodox Anglican theology and biblical teaching, with its doctrine rooted in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion and a literal interpretation of scripture. The ACNA rejects same-sex unions and the ordination of practicing homosexuals, while its constitution allows for the ordination of women as priests but not as bishops.
The church initially included around 100,000 members, 800 clergy, and 30 bishops. As of 2024, it has grown to more than 1,000 congregations and over 130,000 members, with an expanding presence in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba. Although supported by several Anglican provinces primarily in Africa and South America, the ACNA is not officially recognized by the broader Anglican Communion as a province, due to the status of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada.
Stephen Dwain Wood is the current archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), elected to this top position in June 2024. In addition to serving as archbishop, he has long been the bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas and rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which he helped grow into one of the most prominent congregations in the ACNA.
Wood was born in Ohio in 1963 and began his ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. He moved to South Carolina in 2000, where his leadership of St. Andrew’s led to significant congregational growth and increased influence within conservative Anglican circles. Wood played a key role in forming the Diocese of the Carolinas after leading St. Andrew’s out of the Episcopal Church during the Anglican realignment.
Wood’s ministry has combined pastoral and episcopal duties; even as bishop, he continued to serve actively as rector of his local parish. His leadership style is described as hands-on, with a focus on church planting, evangelism, and building up community life and mission opportunities throughout the Carolinas. Under his guidance, the diocese experienced substantial growth in both membership and new church plants.
Wood is married to Jacqueline; they have four sons and multiple grandchildren. His background includes a degree in history from Cleveland State University and a Master of Divinity from the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia.
In October 2025, formal allegations surfaced against Archbishop Wood, including claims of sexual misconduct, bullying, and plagiarism of sermons during his tenure at St. Andrew’s. The allegations were presented in a presentment—a church legal document—submitted by clergy and former colleagues. These charges have led to internal investigations and, if deemed credible, could result in an ecclesiastical trial and, potentially, his removal as archbishop. Wood has denied any wrongdoing, expressed confidence in the church’s investigative procedures, and refrained from further public comment as the process unfolds.
The jury is still out regarding Archbishop Wood. He appears to have a log in his eye and is guilty of hypocrisy as well. I do not enjoy any schadenfreude in this matter and hope it ends with justice for all.
The best way to achieve tall poppydom is to practice virtue and avoid being tall-popped.
I have completed writing my new book, Sin to Virtue: Transforming The Tall Poppy Syndrome by Understanding The Seven Deadly Sins. Here is a look https://youtu.be/C7RjTXdpHvE
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