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Makayla Goderis
Jan 8, 2024, 9:45 AM
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The Christian worldview explains human nature through the story of creation and the fall in Genesis 1-3. This is just one of many perspectives that are out there. It is explained that humans were created as perfect beings and there is the possibility of falling into sin. This is when humans act in a disobedient order and it is known to Christians as there being evil present in the world.
Looking at human nature through a Christian worldview would be an accurate characterization of human nature. While on the other hand looking at this as any other worldview would make this an inaccurate characterization of human nature.
I believe in nature vs. nurture. This means that I believe in all of the impacts a person’s atmosphere and the people around them have and their ability to shape a person’s life.
Ellie Michels
Jan 8, 2024, 11:50 AM
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The characterization of human nature is accurate because Christians were created in Gods image and were originally good, reflecting Gods character. After sin was introduced due to Adam and Eve eating fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, This sin and disobediance caused a deviation from Gods intended goodness and led to a sinful disposition. The fall of human nature resulted in disruption of an individual’s creational purpose which was to live in harmony with God, others, and creation.
I don’t believe that there is another explanation for why there was a fall in human nature and why there is distance between us and God now. Human suffering is ultimately because of the presence of sin within the world. Humans have free will and human choice which contributes to suffering. Making bad decisions, being selfish, and moral failures all lead to personal suffering. Being able to be imperfect is a way for Christians to spiritually grow and develop resilience within a world of sin. Allowing individuals to strengthen their reliance on God. Hope in Christ is the ultimate redemption from the consequences of sin and suffering.
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Ryan Martin
Jan 8, 2024, 2:22 PM
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The characterization of human nature is accurate to me. According to the bible we suffer due to the fact that Adam and Eve were enticed to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. This was a Sin. They were enticed by the Devil to go against God and disobey. I think that this characterization of human nature is that temptation can cause us to make decisions that could be a detriment to our futures. Consequences from those decisions can lead to a life of misery. Adam and Eve were banished from paradise due to their actions. These actions are parallel to how we live in the Eyes of God. We are to Follow Gods teachings and beliefs. If we do not then there will be consequences that come with that. My belief is that if we do Sin that we repent and ask for forgiveness.
Jody Dutcher
Jan 8, 2024, 7:06 PM
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I do believe that this characterization of human nature is close. I would posit that I feel adding more of what we as humans have learned along the way would be more accurate.
I feel that nature versus nurture does play a big role in my personal view of the world. While I do believe we are all capable of great evil I also believe we are all still capable of good. I know that the fall of humanity described in Genesis 1-3 does not say we are only capable of sin, but I see the world holding lighter than that. Nature versus nurture can be seen in many studies and is a big influence on a person’s moral compass. Nature is what situation an individual started in within the world or being predisposed to be a certain way. Nurture is how an individual learns about the world or is cared for by the world. I feel that this shapes a person’s character and reflects human nature as a whole.
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Discussion 2 replies
Makayla Goderis
Jan 8, 2024, 9:47 AM
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In the Christian worldview of human nature, the presence of evil was brought into the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. This was done when they were tempted to eat the apple and brought sin into the world. Since sin was brought into the world when it was not supposed to be brought in, this allows for tragedies such as floods, earthquakes, and health pandemics.
If you look at this with a non-Christian worldview you may believe in things like nature vs. nurture This means that there has always been evil in the world. A person can be born good but if they are placed into an atmosphere that is not able to have them grow they can be forced into making bad decisions and creating a different type of personality.
Katyja Anderson
Jan 8, 2024, 10:03 PM
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Hello class and Professor,
I believe the concept of the fall is deeply connected to tragic events like 9/11, the 2004 Tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In my perspective, the fall represents humanity’s separation from God due to sin. These catastrophic events could be seen as consequences of a fallen world where suffering and evil exist. When considering the topic of Resources, I would explain that God, being all powerful and loving, has given us free will. Unfortunately, our choices sometimes lead to suffering and evil. It’s not that God directly causes these events, but rather the result of the brokenness introduced by the fall.
In response to such evil events, my worldview has allowed me to reassess the nature of free will and the consequences of human actions. It’s a complex reflection on the balance between God’s love and the choices we make, acknowledging that God allows us the freedom to shape our destiny, even if it leads to hardship. In conclusion, my Christian faith teaches me to navigate the complexities of suffering and evil by understanding the consequences of the fall and the importance of free will in God’s plan. This perspective shapes my reactions and reflections on the challenging events that unfold in our world.
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Trenese George
Jan 9, 2024, 11:24 AM
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The creation and fall narrative in Genesis describes how sin entered the world through human disobedience. As a result, the narrative suggests that suffering, evil, and brokenness became a part of the human experience. I feel that these consequences of the fall, where human actions or natural disasters cause immense suffering and loss. The fall also implies that the natural world itself was affected by the fall, leading to a broken and imperfect state. This perspective may view events like natural disasters as a result of this brokenness, where natural processes can lead to devastating consequences. These events also highlight the importance of compassion, empathy, suffering and working towards healing and restoration. They also prompt reflection on how human choices, such as acts of violence or environmental exploitation, contributing to suffering and devastation, while inspiring acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. In the midst of these tragedies, God is working towards ultimate restoration, even in the face of immense sufferings.
Rebecca Lentz
Jan 9, 2024, 12:08 PM
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The tragedies mentioned; 9/11, the 2004 Tsunami and the COVID pandemic are all significant events that have had monumental impacts on people around the world. The main difference is that some are a result of evil acts while others are a result of natural disasters, but all have led to significant suffering and death. The bible explains that all the pain and suffering that we experience are a consequence of our sins. The loss of harmony between humans and God has led to significant destruction and pain that often times effects innocent people. The bible says that God has punished mankind, first for the original sins of Adam and Eve and then additionally for individual sins in the way of consequences. God plans to restore our relationship, however for now, the pain and suffering will continue until we are saved.
These tragedies have undoubtably made me reconsider my worldview. These kinds of events can lead to people seeing justification in the suffering of innocent people. I cannot personally find satisfaction in the suffering of innocent people. I have worked on the front line through the entire pandemic. Personally seeing and suffering through this event, I have certainly struggled with a worldview that allows such deep and widespread suffering.
Replies for Alberto
Miranda Heslop
Jan 8, 2024, 1:37 AM
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The characterization of human nature is very accurate. Adam and Eve were made as “very good”, but then Eve was deceived by Satan into eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil wanting to be more like God. The consequences of their actions brought on death and sin. They would also feel pain. God made it to where women would feel extreme pain during childbirth as a repercussion of Eve’s actions. With this knowledge of how human nature became to be how it is all started with Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. God gave them direction and only one rule and they broke that one rule, in return causing the cataclysmic events of their consequences.
Jacqueline Grohowski
Jan 8, 2024, 6:30 AM
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Good morning,
Humans are created in God’s image and described in the bible as having dominion over all creatures. Genesis 1:28 “…Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” God provided everything they would need in the Garden of Eden, except for not eating from the tree of knowledge. However, after being deceived by the serpent, Eve gave Adam the fruit of the tree to eat. This disobedience is the start of the fall of human nature. Because of this action, Adam and Eve now experienced shame, women would bare pain in childbirth and man would rule over her, man would need to work the land for food. They were then expelled from the Garden of Eden and would now need to repent to receive their destiny with God. This is an accurate description of the fall of human nature. We are given rules that we frequently break, then seek forgiveness.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway.
(Original work published 2001)
Jackie
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Caden Perkins
Jan 8, 2024, 12:16 PM
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I believe this characterization of human nature can be considered accurate when it comes to reflecting on the fall in question. When God created the world in His image, including the human beings he created, he knew of the good and evil that could be possessed. Man’s inhumanity to man can be directly derived from the evil introduced to God’s creation through the entirety of what happened in the Garden of Eden. As time has gone on and human’s have developed more from a societal and economical standpoint, the fall of human nature has been evident. When reading Genesis 1-3, I had come to realize that evil temptation had been introduced straight away into human nature, and a larger number of the population continues to fall into the negative and malicious temptations that come with human nature.
Steven Lineback
Jan 8, 2024, 12:33 PM
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I believe that the characterization of human nature is directly linked to the fall of humanity to be accurate. It is my understanding that in the beginning God created humans in “the image of God” but not to the extent that we were like God in every way. That is why he directed us not to eat from the tree of good and evil because we would not be capable of handling that understanding. Since the beginning of time the human race has tried to act like God and judge the difference between good and evil and often we get it wrong. This sin leads to a great amount of the suffering that humans experience whether it’s self inflicted or caused by someone else.
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Discussion 2 replies
Miranda Heslop
Jan 8, 2024, 5:40 AM(edited)
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How I believe the fall relates to the tragedies above is just like Adam and Eve eating from the tree of knowledge and bringing on pain and suffering. God no longer was going to intervene in our lives. I truly believe God allows suffering to make us stronger and I believe after Jesus dying for our sins, God is giving us chances to redeem ourselves on our own with giving us something to believe in and look forward to. My reaction to these evil events turned me even closer to God and my faith. God may not stop all evil, but we must continue our faith to get what is promised to us after this life.
Jacqueline Grohowski
Jan 8, 2024, 9:11 AM
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With the fall of humanity, God gave mankind the choice to do good or evil. Genesis 3:22 reads “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” God allows suffering and evil because He wants our genuine love. He wants us to choose Him, and to choose Him would be to choose good. When I think about these disasters, I first wonder if they were natural or manmade. Evil events in the world cause me to reassess my walk with Christ. I can only control my actions and heart, and these events remind me I must be ready for the second coming.
Resources:
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway.
(Original work published 2001)
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Patricia Brewster
Jan 8, 2024, 7:47 PM
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It can be hard to understand why God would allow suffering and evil in our world. Is God testing our faith with him and others, could he be teaching us a lesson? We may never understand fully why God allows these things to happen, but we find comfort in knowing God is walking beside us. Even if you don’t believe in him, he’s still present in our lives.
My view has changed a lot over the past 25 years. When 9/11 happened, I was a young adult who didn’t follow along with world news, or faith. I was not raised in religion, I remember being at work when the first plane hit and thinking – This isn’t that big of a deal, why are people freaking out about it. My thought “God’s doing population control”. Fast forward to 2020 when the pandemic hit, I’m 20 years older with a different viewpoint, and couldn’t believe that this was happening how many people were suffering, and how God could allow this to happen to us.
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Ashley Lawson
Jan 8, 2024, 7:57 PM
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The fall, as described in the Christian worldview, suggests that suffering and evil entered the world due to human nature’s separation from God. Tragic events like 9/11, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as the consequences of a broken and fallen world. Explaining why a good and loving God allows suffering is a complex topic. It often leads individuals to reassess their worldview and seek deeper understanding of God’s plan and the complexities of human existence.