Human Nature: What Is It?

Syndicated columnist David Brooks introduced a recent column titled "Today's Human Nature" with the rhetorical question, "Has there ever been a time when there were so many different views of human nature floating around all at once?"

I would add: Isn't human nature much more than a philosophical question? What could be more important than understanding what makes us tick?

Evolutionary psychology views the development of human nature as a process of natural selection, thinking it is formed by mankind adapting to changing conditions and presents it as merely a product of the survival of the fittest.

Variations of political and religious views

Political and religious organizations differ widely on the subject. Some say that human nature is inherently good while others insist it is intrinsically evil.

In the political arena conservatives often take a negative view of human nature and advocate meeting its evils with force such as war and capital punishment. Liberals who eschew war and violence advocate education and negotiation as the solution to man's problems, appealing to an optimistic view of human nature.

These opposing views form the basis of a wide variety of issues that have a direct bearing on your life and mine.

Mutually exclusive worldviews

One blogger correctly noted, "These are two opposing and mutually exclusive worldviews, that affect not only how one views the person, but how one views everything, including how to order society. These two views exist side-by-side in our world today, and are creating heated, constant, and wearying cultural battles that are being carried on even as I type these words."

A similar dichotomy exists within the ranks of Christianity on the most basic of all topics—what is man? And what is our destiny?

Some believe that man is a pure immortal soul trapped within an evil body, destined to be freed from this earthly prison to enjoy uninterrupted immortality in heaven.

"Some Christians have also taught the doctrine of 'original sin,' in which all humans are born not only with a predisposition to sinful behavior, but with an inherently sinful nature. The [supposed] result is that every person is born deserving eternal damnation, whether or not they have actually committed a sin yet."

Sorting it out!

How can we know the truth about human nature? Where can we go to find the answers to this vital question? We could "Google" the subject for hours and likely end up confused and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of conflicting information.

The Bible reveals that Satan the devil set the original example for the evils we associate with "human nature"—particularly the misuse of free choice. 

God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26-27) with the capacity for free choice. Adam and Eve made a seriously wrong choice to disobey God in response to Satan's clever deception (Genesis 3:1-6), setting a precedent that mankind has followed ever since—with tragic consequences that continue to exacerbate our lives to this day.

Basic causes for the evils attributed to human nature begin with human selfishness, confusion over God's purpose for human life and mankind's hostile attitude toward practicing all of God's instructions as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

Romans 8:7-8 tells us: "... the outlook of disordered human nature is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God's law, and indeed it cannot, and those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God" (New Jerusalem Bible).

Looking ahead!

Do you understand human nature and the effect that it has in your life? Do you see in yourself resistance to portions of God's teachings? Is there anything you can do to change the course of your life?

According to Ephesians 2:1-3, we all have "lived according to this world's present path, according to ... the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience, among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest …" (New English Translation).

Notice two important points: (1) All of us have lived our lives based on self-centered human nature, according to the path established by the god of this world who is still actively promoting and proliferating evil in the lives of vulnerable human beings. (2) The word "formerly" shows that it is still possible, with God's help, to change the course of our lives.