Is Man Basically Good?

Should we totally accept the word of secular scientists?

Do we really need law enforcement?

Would people abuse drugs if there were no laws about their use?

Can we totally trust everything academics who are Christian believe?

We have a problem that is having dire consequences in our culture. Man is not neutral, and man is not inherently good!

We have a problem that is having dire consequences in our culture. Man is not neutral, and man is not inherently good!

We’re Not Neutral!

There seems to be this philosophy in our world today that to reduce criminal activity, all one needs to do is give people a great environment, freedom to do what they want, and counseling. Won’t all that solve man’s problems? There’s a massive problem with this idea. This is how Jeremiah states the problem:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick [wicked]; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

The Gospel of Mark tells us, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21–23).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The point is, Christians should understand that man’s heart is not neutral. We are biased against God. In fact, because we sinned in Adam, our sin nature is really summed up by Genesis 3:1 (“Did God actually say . . . ?”) and Genesis 3:5 (“You will be like God”). Thus, our nature is we don’t want to obey God, we want to be our own god, and be a law unto ourselves.

Man is not inherently good. Our nature is that we are in rebellion against all that is good. We inherently don’t want the truth. Judges 21:25 describes what happens when there is no authority over people and they thus look to themselves to decide truth (and this wasn’t a good thing, as the book of Judges reveals!).

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

When people reject the absolute authority of God’s Word and let their sin nature master over them, they do what is right in their own eyes. Thus, morality is subjective.

When people reject the absolute authority of God’s Word and let their sin nature master over them, they do what is right in their own eyes. Thus, morality is subjective.

Why Civil Government?

Now, originally there was no need for civil government, as man was perfect. He was to delight in obeying his Creator. However, sin changed all that. After the flood, God instituted civil government. He did this when he introduced capital punishment for murder.

And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. (Genesis 9:5)

The first purpose of this civil government is the protection of human life. Remember, man is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

So, a purpose of government is to maintain law and order. But here are two problems:

1. If those in power think man is basically good, they will not make right decisions in maintaining law and order.
2. If those in power do not understand the wickedness of man or their own wickedness, then their rule will be detrimental for people. “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).

Now, it is true that humans have a conscience.

They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. (Romans 2:15)

But it is also true that people can have consciences that are seared (1 Timothy 4:2).

If the wicked rule and they don’t accept man is not basically good, we will see people groan under such rule as wrong decisions are made about what should happen to maintain law and order.

We Can’t Trust Everything Even a Christian Says

As Christians, we should understand the sin nature of man, but because we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we should continually look to God, his Word, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to not let our sin nature master over us. Nonetheless, because we are sinful, fallible humans, we struggle with our sin nature as Paul did.

For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Romans 7:15–20)

I say all this to make another very important point. Just because a person is a Christian does not mean we can totally trust everything they believe. That’s why we always need be like the Bereans, “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Just because a person is a Christian does not mean we can totally trust everything they believe.

Sadly, many Christians have told me that they believe in millions of years and/or evolution because they had a Christian professor or pastor who was such a nice person tell them it was true/possible. They have such respect for their professor/pastor that they can’t believe he would lead them astray. But no human is neutral, as we all have sinful hearts. And it doesn’t matter how nice we are—we can be wrong about what we believe and teach. That’s why everything must be tested against God’s Word.

A pastor or professor could be a wonderful person exhibiting the love of Christ, preaching the gospel, and seeing people saved for eternity, and yet be totally wrong about Genesis and sadly be undermining the authority of the Word he preaches because of compromise. And regardless of how nice such a person is, none of us are above being challenged about our beliefs and having them judged against God’s Word.

I’ve often found that one of the main reasons such Christian professors/leaders do compromise God’s Word in Genesis is because they have a basic trust in the words of secular scientists. I’ve had a number of PhD scientists and Christian leaders who claim that secular colleagues or secular scientists really are searching for truth and wouldn’t lead people astray. But that is simply not true. They are not searching for ultimate truth because their heart is in rebellion against God. Because of this, they can be blinded to the truth and pass on wrong interpretations of evidence. And, sadly, because of academic peer pressure, academic pride, and sinful hearts, even Christians can be blinded to the truth.

The Answer Is . . .

So, what does this all mean? Well, the answer to the world’s troubles is the truth of God’s Word and the saving gospel. That’s always been the answer. Until people trust God’s Word and trust Christ for salvation and build their thinking on God’s Word, the problems of the world can’t be solved. That’s why it is vital we stand on and proclaim the truth of God’s Word and the gospel without compromise.

Also, for Christians, until they all understand that God’s Word, not man’s word, is the ultimate authority, and begin to judge what anyone says against God’s Word, we will not stop the compromise that so permeates the church and undermines the authority of God’s Word.

Once again, we understand the battle in this world is one over authority. Is God or man the ultimate authority?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Free Admission for Military Monday, May 29, 2023

As a thank you to those who have served and are serving, on Memorial Day we’re offering all former and active-duty military free admission to both the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum.

Now because man is not basically good, in a fallen world we do need our military to protect the nation and defend what is good and right. And as a thank you to those who have served and are serving, on Memorial Day (May 29, 2023) we’re offering all former and active-duty military free admission to both the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum—the two leading Christian themed attractions in the world.

We hope many former and active military will be able to visit on this special day (or make plans to visit on July Fourth or Veteran’s Day, when we also offer you free admission). But please know, if you can’t make it on one of those days, we always give active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces a 20% discount on the purchase of up to five general admission tickets (adult or senior) with a current military photo ID or military dependent ID. Retired members always receive a 20% discount off their tickets. So, when you purchase tickets, please be sure to let guest services know your military status.

Oh, and as you plan your visit, remember that children 10 and under are free for all of 2023 as well—so it’s a great time to bring the whole family!

Plan your visit at ArkEncounter.com and CreationMuseum.org.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.