Yes, this is a post that gives me great pause. The post refers to a dark world, which is true beyond question, but, the post then encourages us to put faith in humanity, without mention of Christ. Humanity is inherently evil by nature, and naturally tends toward evil left to it's own devices. This is the result of the fall and is an immutable aspect of our being. I place no faith in humanity, a cursory look into history precludes that. Scripture is clear regarding the (soon coming?) Antichrist, and his total control over the earth. No, I can have no faith in humanity.
We are made in God's image, therefore we are not inherently evil by nature. God gave us free will to choose, and too often we choose evil because we are weak and imperfect, but evil is not an immutable aspect of our being.
Agreed. There are more good than bad. Anyone that thinks all of humanity is inherently evil is so full of shit that it comes flying out of their mouths whenever they say anything...
Adam and Eve were made in God’s image. They lost that after the Fall. Genesis 4 notes that after the Fall Adam had children in his own image, not God’s. Paul reiterates in Romans the fact that all humans are born in Adam’s image. The only exception is those who have been born again, as they now have the image of Christ.
Furthermore, the Bible is clear that none are righteous:
“as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:10 KJV
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Isaiah 64:6 KJV
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”
Romans 5:12-14 KJV
Thank you taking the time to save me from writing the truth you just wrote. So many evangelicals today ignore the sin part completely and just go with this lukewarm fuzziness of God loving everyone. He does, but he hates our sin. And if we don't confess that sin, he assures us we have no place in heaven.
Man was made in God's image and we are born into this world carrying original sin, which is a corruption that wounds and deprives our nature of its original holiness. Original sin weakens our nature in power so we are subject to suffering, death and inclination to sin, but it is not a complete corruption or destruction. We remain capable of choosing salvation in Jesus and accepting God's grace, which we could not do if our nature were inherently evil. God did not abandon us to the power of evil, but gave us free will to accept His grace and sent His only son to save us. By baptism and repentance we are cleansed of original sin and become new creations in Christ.
The beginning of Romans describes the process or progress of falling into sin from choosing to follow the inclination to commit sin, then being fooled and blinded then consumed by sin, all the way to rejecting God completely. Paul is warning how the philosophy of the heathens, lacking in faith and humility, deceived them into believing themselves to be wise, which led them further and so deeply into sin that they rejected God. God's punishment was not death but withdrawal of his grace. If man were evil by nature, this would be the fate of all of us because we would be incapable of choosing salvation. Luke 15 illustrates that even those who choose to serve evil remain capable of repentance and salvation as the one lost sheep and the prodigal son. God loves us so much that He gives us every chance to choose salvation and rejoices in everyone who does.
We can't actually save ourselves--this is Pelagianism. The most popular idea is that we can save ourselves with some help from Jesus. This is semi-Pelagianism. That is Arminian theology, which is very similar, actually, to Catholic theology.
There is also neo-Calvinism, or what is sometimes called "dead" Calvinism or "bastard" Calvinism, which is based upon study of the letter of the word. While some Calvinist theology is good, for example the Doctrines of Grace, Calvinism tends towards OT legalism. We do not save ourselves by any attempt to keep the Law.
Christ did everything necessary to save his sheep. He died for all of the sins of all of his people. We don't actually contribute to his perfect and finished work. In reality, Christ did not die for goats, who attempt to save themselves through the self-righteousness of works. Letting go of self-righteousness is a blessing.
Apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, people have trouble understanding the scriptures correctly. After we are "born again" (born spiritually from above), the Spirit teaches us the spiritual meaning of the word. We are born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the consequence of original sin. When the Holy Spirit regenerates us, this is the "first resurrection" spoken of in Revelation. It is spiritual resurrection.
There is a final resurrection, which is the redemption of the body, which takes place at Christ's return. The "sleeping" saints arise in their glorified bodies, and then the saints who are alive and remain are instantly translated to meet Christ in the air. This is where the rapture teaching originates. It will not be a "secret rapture" as some teach. It will be an event that everyone will be able to see. The sequence is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
God's election of particular sinners to salvation took place in eternity. Romans 9 explains that God created "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath." One group is the elect of God, the other group are reprobates. Reprobates follow the religion of Cain, who was "of that Wicked One." In the time of God's choosing, each lost sheep of Christ will be spiritually regenerated. Hallelujah.
Humanity does not tend towards evil. The vast bulk of humanity are good people.
The problem is and has always been that good people do not gravitate towards political careers leaving a vacuum for sociopaths and psychopaths to fill. What sane man wants a career in politics? It is only those who wish to project their power onto others that do.
According to whose definition? It's all subjective which is why God says that noone continually does good and doesn't sin. Children don't need to be taught to do what's wrong. They already do it because we are sinful. What one person regards as bad is another person's OK or even good.
Yes, this is a post that gives me great pause. The post refers to a dark world, which is true beyond question, but, the post then encourages us to put faith in humanity, without mention of Christ. Humanity is inherently evil by nature, and naturally tends toward evil left to it's own devices. This is the result of the fall and is an immutable aspect of our being. I place no faith in humanity, a cursory look into history precludes that. Scripture is clear regarding the (soon coming?) Antichrist, and his total control over the earth. No, I can have no faith in humanity.
We are made in God's image, therefore we are not inherently evil by nature. God gave us free will to choose, and too often we choose evil because we are weak and imperfect, but evil is not an immutable aspect of our being.
Agreed. There are more good than bad. Anyone that thinks all of humanity is inherently evil is so full of shit that it comes flying out of their mouths whenever they say anything...
Adam and Eve were made in God’s image. They lost that after the Fall. Genesis 4 notes that after the Fall Adam had children in his own image, not God’s. Paul reiterates in Romans the fact that all humans are born in Adam’s image. The only exception is those who have been born again, as they now have the image of Christ.
Furthermore, the Bible is clear that none are righteous:
“as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10 KJV
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 KJV
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” Romans 5:12-14 KJV
Thank you taking the time to save me from writing the truth you just wrote. So many evangelicals today ignore the sin part completely and just go with this lukewarm fuzziness of God loving everyone. He does, but he hates our sin. And if we don't confess that sin, he assures us we have no place in heaven.
You are correct
We are all corrupted by original sin in the Garden via Adam. We actually ARE evil by nature. Read the beginning of the Book of Romans.
Man was made in God's image and we are born into this world carrying original sin, which is a corruption that wounds and deprives our nature of its original holiness. Original sin weakens our nature in power so we are subject to suffering, death and inclination to sin, but it is not a complete corruption or destruction. We remain capable of choosing salvation in Jesus and accepting God's grace, which we could not do if our nature were inherently evil. God did not abandon us to the power of evil, but gave us free will to accept His grace and sent His only son to save us. By baptism and repentance we are cleansed of original sin and become new creations in Christ.
The beginning of Romans describes the process or progress of falling into sin from choosing to follow the inclination to commit sin, then being fooled and blinded then consumed by sin, all the way to rejecting God completely. Paul is warning how the philosophy of the heathens, lacking in faith and humility, deceived them into believing themselves to be wise, which led them further and so deeply into sin that they rejected God. God's punishment was not death but withdrawal of his grace. If man were evil by nature, this would be the fate of all of us because we would be incapable of choosing salvation. Luke 15 illustrates that even those who choose to serve evil remain capable of repentance and salvation as the one lost sheep and the prodigal son. God loves us so much that He gives us every chance to choose salvation and rejoices in everyone who does.
Here is what Toplady said about free grace vs free will:
https://www.the-highway.com/freewill_Toplady.html
One is scriptural and Christ centered, based upon the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. The other is man centered, making man his own savior.
Luther said our natural wills are in bondage to sin:
https://www.reformedreader.org/bow.htm
We can't actually save ourselves--this is Pelagianism. The most popular idea is that we can save ourselves with some help from Jesus. This is semi-Pelagianism. That is Arminian theology, which is very similar, actually, to Catholic theology.
There is also neo-Calvinism, or what is sometimes called "dead" Calvinism or "bastard" Calvinism, which is based upon study of the letter of the word. While some Calvinist theology is good, for example the Doctrines of Grace, Calvinism tends towards OT legalism. We do not save ourselves by any attempt to keep the Law.
Christ did everything necessary to save his sheep. He died for all of the sins of all of his people. We don't actually contribute to his perfect and finished work. In reality, Christ did not die for goats, who attempt to save themselves through the self-righteousness of works. Letting go of self-righteousness is a blessing.
Apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, people have trouble understanding the scriptures correctly. After we are "born again" (born spiritually from above), the Spirit teaches us the spiritual meaning of the word. We are born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the consequence of original sin. When the Holy Spirit regenerates us, this is the "first resurrection" spoken of in Revelation. It is spiritual resurrection.
There is a final resurrection, which is the redemption of the body, which takes place at Christ's return. The "sleeping" saints arise in their glorified bodies, and then the saints who are alive and remain are instantly translated to meet Christ in the air. This is where the rapture teaching originates. It will not be a "secret rapture" as some teach. It will be an event that everyone will be able to see. The sequence is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
God's election of particular sinners to salvation took place in eternity. Romans 9 explains that God created "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath." One group is the elect of God, the other group are reprobates. Reprobates follow the religion of Cain, who was "of that Wicked One." In the time of God's choosing, each lost sheep of Christ will be spiritually regenerated. Hallelujah.
Humanity does not tend towards evil. The vast bulk of humanity are good people.
The problem is and has always been that good people do not gravitate towards political careers leaving a vacuum for sociopaths and psychopaths to fill. What sane man wants a career in politics? It is only those who wish to project their power onto others that do.
Yes. I don't agree that "power corrupts." Look at Trump for proof that it doesn't, just for one example.
The truth is that the corrupt are drawn to power. That's why we see it there all the time.
According to whose definition? It's all subjective which is why God says that noone continually does good and doesn't sin. Children don't need to be taught to do what's wrong. They already do it because we are sinful. What one person regards as bad is another person's OK or even good.
Of course we are sinful. There is only One without sin. But being imperfect as we are does not equate with all humanity tending towards evil.
Leave it to this sub to turn a benign statement like "have faith in humanity" into a self-righteous sermon that no one asked for.
Have faith in humanity
To awaken
I appreciate what you're saying, but I refer back to my original post
Humanity is inherently evil? How so?