The Christian Worldview: Human Nature, Suffering, and the Person of Christ

1) The Christian Worldview on Human Nature: Creation and Fall (Gen. 1-3)

The Christian worldview posits that human nature, originally created good and in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), became corrupted through the “Fall” (Genesis 3). This event, involving Adam and Eve’s disobedience, introduced sin into humanity, resulting in a fractured relationship with God, others, and creation. This “fallen” nature is often characterized by self-centeredness, a propensity towards evil, spiritual blindness, and a predisposition to suffering and conflict. The immense suffering and “man’s inhumanity to man” are largely explained by this inherent sinfulness.

Is this characterization of human nature accurate? Why or why not?

From a Christian theological perspective, this characterization is considered accurate because it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the pervasive nature of evil, injustice, and suffering observed throughout human history and in daily life. It accounts for:

• Universal Moral Imperfection: Despite varying cultural norms, there is a universal recognition of moral wrongdoing and a struggle to consistently act in purely selfless ways. The fallen nature explains why even well-intentioned individuals can commit harmful acts or engage in destructive patterns.
• The Problem of Evil: It offers an explanation for why humanity, endowed with reason and conscience, so often chooses violence, oppression, and destruction. It suggests an internal brokenness rather than solely external influences.
• The Need for Redemption: If human nature were inherently good or perfectible on its own, the need for divine intervention or redemption (as Christianity proposes through Christ) would be diminished. The fallen nature highlights humanity’s dependence on something beyond itself for true restoration.