In one of his books, toward the end, N.T. Wright says the concept of "image of God" is central to the church’s mission to the world.  Pop psychology, the New Age movement each emphasize human worth and dignity; basic humanism.  The Bible offers a foundation for that dignity, the image of God.  Assuming the image of God has something to do with relationship and care for creation, I think this is where sin comes in.  And it’s much like what has been said.

Object-Relations theory says that trust is developed by the relationships with those who raise us.  When the bridge of trust is broken and not repaired, shame or fear sets in.  The image of God gets buried within us and we can’t uncover it on our own.  Instead, our defense mechanism is to lash out or hide within.  This is sin.  It sounds much the same as the book mentioned above.  It also seems to fit for me with the flow of the "Fall of Adam and Eve" or the murder of Abel.

It is through Jesus that God repairs that bridge, reaffirms our identity as children of God and it is through Jesus by the Holy Spirit that we can trust God is a loving Father (but not a co-dependent Father who just lets anything go).  If we’re determined God will let us go to our own devices.  I see this "letting go" as God’s wrath. 

With the unchurched, then, an emphasis on the image of God that we possess, though it may be buried, seems to be the way to go.  With the over-churched, however, I would want to say there is a reason for sin (not an excuse mind you) that needs to be addressed not an action to be punished.  "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfectio in love.  We love because he first loved us."  I Jn 4:18-19.