If triviality and simple moral absolutes were the two besetting sins of the preacher, then relevance and applicability were the two preacher qualities that Niebuhr most admired and tried to emulate. (religion-online.org)
As a committed pessimist, I was decidedly rebuked by his claim that pessimism is not an option for Christians, and that cynicism and despair are the besetting sins of our age. (firstthings.com)
The besetting sins of oppressed people may include self - denial, passivity and complicity in their own oppression When purgation reinforces our sinful tendencies toward self - destruction, it is not life - giving not of God. (religion-online.org)