Human Nature?
I have always wondered about human nature. Many use this connotation, but very few actually understand what it really means, including myself.
Nature, in its original usage, meant birth1. Simply put, the way you or it came into existence. To do according to your nature is to operate within your functioning mechanisms. So, this is a topic I want to focus on. What is it? It is mutable? How does it relate to our spiritual walk? In no way is this blog entry claiming to have the answers. My writing will probably be filled more with errors and questions. Corrections in the comments section are much appreciated.
Is your Human nature something you are born with?
This might seem like a silly question, but it does deserve an honest examination. The root word for Nature (in ancient times) did mean birth. However, that doesn't mean that your nature isn't still forming in the subsequent years after your birth. Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, Ph.D, believes that it is both innate, and formed by our environment.2 I believe that humans are habit-forming, but also understand that there is a biological order at work. It seems that there is some room for change, but only within the realms of our biology.
What does Human nature tell us?
Well, it certainly allows us to make predictions about people. The Bible tells us that all have fallen short of perfection, and that no one (excluding Jesus Christ) was sinless.3 We not only know this because of the Bible, but also because of our understanding of humanity. We can make this claim without solely relying on faith. Simply put, we know that people make mistakes, and are unable to amount to the perfection demonstrated in the character of Jesus Christ. Why are we not perfect? It is not in our nature. It seems even though our environment may play a role in our nature development, it still has it limitations. If you put someone in an environment that teaches perfection, there will still be imperfection.
If we are not perfect, and we can't be, then why do Christians keep "Bible-thumping" everyone about their sinfulness.
This I can't really answer, for I think their could be many different motives. I do believe that there is a brokenness, and that in the example of Jesus Christ, wholeness has been shown. I personally have used the example of Jesus for my own life, and I have yet to reach perfection. Actually, I'm not even close. Is it because of my own nature and limitations? Is it something that can be fulfilled with perseverance and attitude? Do we have to wait for a future event, or a changing of our nature into something else? I'm not really sure . . . .
God bless,
Ryan
__________________________________________________________________
1 Etymology Online dictionary definition of 'Nature.'
2 Psychology Today article
3 Romans 3:23
Nature, in its original usage, meant birth1. Simply put, the way you or it came into existence. To do according to your nature is to operate within your functioning mechanisms. So, this is a topic I want to focus on. What is it? It is mutable? How does it relate to our spiritual walk? In no way is this blog entry claiming to have the answers. My writing will probably be filled more with errors and questions. Corrections in the comments section are much appreciated.
Is your Human nature something you are born with?
This might seem like a silly question, but it does deserve an honest examination. The root word for Nature (in ancient times) did mean birth. However, that doesn't mean that your nature isn't still forming in the subsequent years after your birth. Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, Ph.D, believes that it is both innate, and formed by our environment.2 I believe that humans are habit-forming, but also understand that there is a biological order at work. It seems that there is some room for change, but only within the realms of our biology.
What does Human nature tell us?
Well, it certainly allows us to make predictions about people. The Bible tells us that all have fallen short of perfection, and that no one (excluding Jesus Christ) was sinless.3 We not only know this because of the Bible, but also because of our understanding of humanity. We can make this claim without solely relying on faith. Simply put, we know that people make mistakes, and are unable to amount to the perfection demonstrated in the character of Jesus Christ. Why are we not perfect? It is not in our nature. It seems even though our environment may play a role in our nature development, it still has it limitations. If you put someone in an environment that teaches perfection, there will still be imperfection.
If we are not perfect, and we can't be, then why do Christians keep "Bible-thumping" everyone about their sinfulness.
This I can't really answer, for I think their could be many different motives. I do believe that there is a brokenness, and that in the example of Jesus Christ, wholeness has been shown. I personally have used the example of Jesus for my own life, and I have yet to reach perfection. Actually, I'm not even close. Is it because of my own nature and limitations? Is it something that can be fulfilled with perseverance and attitude? Do we have to wait for a future event, or a changing of our nature into something else? I'm not really sure . . . .
God bless,
Ryan
__________________________________________________________________
1 Etymology Online dictionary definition of 'Nature.'
2 Psychology Today article
3 Romans 3:23
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