Consequences of the Fall and Contemporary Response
Name:
Course:
Date:
Instructor:
Be sure you answer Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and the Reference section of this assignment
before submitting.
Part One: Human Nature in Genesis 1-3
Use and cite at least two of the following topic Resources: textbook Chapter 4, Topic 3
Overview, "The Mystery of Original Sin" article, and Bible passages. Cite all of the resources
used with in-text citations. Include all the sources you cite on a reference section at the end of
this document.
Based on at least two of the listed topic Resources, type your answer to the following questions
in the box beneath each question.
1. What is revealed about human nature (from Genesis 1-2)? Cite and reference the textbook.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
In Genesis 1-2, human nature is revealed to be created in the image of God. Human
nature was given dominion over animals and the responsibility to care for the earth.
Genesis 1 and 2 illustrate that humankind had a harmonious relationship with God, with
Adam and Eve knowing no sin and or suffering. Humankind also involves free will, the
ability to reason and make moral decisions. This illustrates that humans can differentiate
between right and wrong. Freewill and the ability to make decisions attributed to the Fall
of doubt came into play when the serpent convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.
2. What are the consequences of the fall for human nature (from Genesis 3)?
Your answer in 100-150 words:
The chapter overview states that humans are not sinful (Topic 3 Overview, 2023).
“However, due to Adam and Eve's lust that made them eat the forbidden fruit, God was
angry, and mankind downgraded from the kind of life they were supposed to have” (Topic
3 Overview, 2023). One significant consequence of the Fall was the separation from God.
The Fall also caused pain and suffering to humankind. For women, God's punishment was
that they had to endure pain during childbirth and have men rule over them. Man was to
endure hard work and toil to provide for a family. Moreover, the land was cursed to grow
thorns and weeds rather than food; therefore, taking care of the land became difficult for
man. God also cursed humanity with death.
© 2021. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
, 3. What is revealed about human purpose? What does it mean for humans to flourish, in other
words, to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being? Cite and reference "The
Mystery of Original Sin" article.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Human purpose is to glorify God and his doctrine. Humankind has the primary role
of worshipping God, caring for God's creations, recreating and multiplying the earth, and
reconciling and living in a relationship with God as it was meant to be. Furthermore, for
mankind to flourish by obtaining mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, they have to
live in God's companionship as he had intended to from the beginning. This means we
have replaced our sinful desires in our Eden with God and his Word. The Mystery of
Original Sin article states that for man to be fulfilled, we have to keep God at the centre of
our lives, and a daily walk with God ensures that we restore our relationship with God
(Shuster, 2013).
4. How would pantheism or atheism (choose one) view human nature, human purpose, and
Human flourishing?
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Pantheism views humankind as an integral part of the universe and its evolution.
Humankind can reach Godlike levels to achieve many things with the belief that they will
be rewarded (Holland & Diffy, 2022). Moreover, in terms of human flourishing, pantheism
views humankind as having the optimum capability to reach greater potential. Human
purpose is to strive for a Godlike state, to be one with the universe. Humankind has the
purpose of helping the universe grow and evolve. Therefore, to attain this, they should
strive to be the best versions of themselves by doing and being good to all creatures
contributing to the universe's growth. They must also strive to leave this world a better
place than they found it.
5. The question, "How can an all-powerful, all knowing, and all good God allow suffering?" is
called the problem of evil and suffering. Briefly summarize the Christian worldview's
response to the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference the topic overview and/or
the textbook.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Every decision we make has a consequence, whether bad or good and as stated by
Holland and Diffy, 2022, suffering and evil are the consequences of the Fall of humankind.
Humankind was given free will to obey or disobey. God knew that evil existed when he
forbade Adam and Eve from eating the tree of knowledge. However, their actions failed to
obey God's command causing all of humanity to be condemned to a world of struggles,
pain and suffering. God gave man free will to decide to love, serve and follow him. "God
gave humanity free will so that we could have the choice to love and serve God and
ourselves" (Topic 3 Overview, 2023). However, this free will also gave us the choice of
evil and being against God's word. Evidently, since the Fall of humankind, evil has existed
because of poor choices.
Name:
Course:
Date:
Instructor:
Be sure you answer Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and the Reference section of this assignment
before submitting.
Part One: Human Nature in Genesis 1-3
Use and cite at least two of the following topic Resources: textbook Chapter 4, Topic 3
Overview, "The Mystery of Original Sin" article, and Bible passages. Cite all of the resources
used with in-text citations. Include all the sources you cite on a reference section at the end of
this document.
Based on at least two of the listed topic Resources, type your answer to the following questions
in the box beneath each question.
1. What is revealed about human nature (from Genesis 1-2)? Cite and reference the textbook.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
In Genesis 1-2, human nature is revealed to be created in the image of God. Human
nature was given dominion over animals and the responsibility to care for the earth.
Genesis 1 and 2 illustrate that humankind had a harmonious relationship with God, with
Adam and Eve knowing no sin and or suffering. Humankind also involves free will, the
ability to reason and make moral decisions. This illustrates that humans can differentiate
between right and wrong. Freewill and the ability to make decisions attributed to the Fall
of doubt came into play when the serpent convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.
2. What are the consequences of the fall for human nature (from Genesis 3)?
Your answer in 100-150 words:
The chapter overview states that humans are not sinful (Topic 3 Overview, 2023).
“However, due to Adam and Eve's lust that made them eat the forbidden fruit, God was
angry, and mankind downgraded from the kind of life they were supposed to have” (Topic
3 Overview, 2023). One significant consequence of the Fall was the separation from God.
The Fall also caused pain and suffering to humankind. For women, God's punishment was
that they had to endure pain during childbirth and have men rule over them. Man was to
endure hard work and toil to provide for a family. Moreover, the land was cursed to grow
thorns and weeds rather than food; therefore, taking care of the land became difficult for
man. God also cursed humanity with death.
© 2021. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
, 3. What is revealed about human purpose? What does it mean for humans to flourish, in other
words, to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being? Cite and reference "The
Mystery of Original Sin" article.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Human purpose is to glorify God and his doctrine. Humankind has the primary role
of worshipping God, caring for God's creations, recreating and multiplying the earth, and
reconciling and living in a relationship with God as it was meant to be. Furthermore, for
mankind to flourish by obtaining mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, they have to
live in God's companionship as he had intended to from the beginning. This means we
have replaced our sinful desires in our Eden with God and his Word. The Mystery of
Original Sin article states that for man to be fulfilled, we have to keep God at the centre of
our lives, and a daily walk with God ensures that we restore our relationship with God
(Shuster, 2013).
4. How would pantheism or atheism (choose one) view human nature, human purpose, and
Human flourishing?
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Pantheism views humankind as an integral part of the universe and its evolution.
Humankind can reach Godlike levels to achieve many things with the belief that they will
be rewarded (Holland & Diffy, 2022). Moreover, in terms of human flourishing, pantheism
views humankind as having the optimum capability to reach greater potential. Human
purpose is to strive for a Godlike state, to be one with the universe. Humankind has the
purpose of helping the universe grow and evolve. Therefore, to attain this, they should
strive to be the best versions of themselves by doing and being good to all creatures
contributing to the universe's growth. They must also strive to leave this world a better
place than they found it.
5. The question, "How can an all-powerful, all knowing, and all good God allow suffering?" is
called the problem of evil and suffering. Briefly summarize the Christian worldview's
response to the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference the topic overview and/or
the textbook.
Your answer in 100-150 words:
Every decision we make has a consequence, whether bad or good and as stated by
Holland and Diffy, 2022, suffering and evil are the consequences of the Fall of humankind.
Humankind was given free will to obey or disobey. God knew that evil existed when he
forbade Adam and Eve from eating the tree of knowledge. However, their actions failed to
obey God's command causing all of humanity to be condemned to a world of struggles,
pain and suffering. God gave man free will to decide to love, serve and follow him. "God
gave humanity free will so that we could have the choice to love and serve God and
ourselves" (Topic 3 Overview, 2023). However, this free will also gave us the choice of
evil and being against God's word. Evidently, since the Fall of humankind, evil has existed
because of poor choices.
