Question

The Christian worldview provides an explanation for human nature and the story of the creation and fall (Gen. 1-3). A great deal of the suffering that people experience and much of man's inhumanity to man are explained by this description of the fall of human nature. Is this characterization of human nature accurate? Why or why not? If not, what is an alternative explanation?

Answer 1

Human beings are constituted by a mind which is self-aware and is rational, they are free to love and are morally responsible, beings who seek meaning and significance for their actions. Consciousness, rationality, love, morality, and meaning: These, I n the essence of what is to be a person in the full sense of the term. Thus, the book of Genesis presents a rather disconcerting view of humankind and it is difficult for as a humanist to believe that it is accurate. While, the narrative of Caine and Able presents a real aspect about envy, greed and violence as essential components in human emotions, it however does not account for the fact that our primal and automatic response to humanity is trust and love. This is best displayed in the case of maternal relationships. Human babies are found to establish blind trust and love their parents irrespective of whether they share a genetic relation with them or not. Moreover, the Genesis is also filled with tales of compassion and co-existence as part of human life and this can be best seen in the tale of Noah and his attempts to save the different species during the Great Flood. Thus, trust, compassion, and love are also important conduits of human nature. Although The Fall characterises in the Biblical mindset a notion of corruption of human thought through desire, the Fall also made our ancestors Adam and Eve to realise the importance of abiding by the Commandments of God and it therefore in a way testifies to the humility of humankind as thuy could repent and mourn the loss of their privileged position in the Heaven rather than respond to God’s decision with imprudence.