Basically Good or Bad?

A question for the ages.  A question for the scholars.  A question without answers; unless you allow the Bible to weigh in.  Philosophy is torn between the good and bad question.  Entire systems of psychiatric care are put in place based upon the answer to this questions.  Without going in to the extremes of various philosophies of life, let’s look at both sides of this question with a Biblical mindset for understanding.

Is man born basically good or bad, or neutral (there is a third option to consider)?  Some say man is neutral of goodness or badness, it is the environment in upbringing that is the determinant factor.  That makes sense to a lot of people.  There is validity to the notion that environment is very influential in a person’s development.   However, some people overcome horrible and evil environments to become good and Godly people.  At the same time some people are raised in good and Godly environments but live incredibly evil lives.  So, putting too much emphasis on environment will not satisfy the argument. 

If we conclude that mankind is basically good, then the emphasis on salvation (being saved from our evilness) loses impact.  After all good people have nothing (or maybe very little) to be saved from.  In fact, modern man (at least in USA culture) has concluded that man is basically good.  That would explain why there is very little emphasis on ‘being saved.’  We have concluded that we don’t need to be saved because we are basically good and don’t really any help in that department.  Are you beginning to see the gross danger of this devilish position? 

On the other hand, we conclude that we are basically bad, salvation may become the unreachable achievement of mankind.  Even the ‘saved’ are often plagued with guilt and such low opinions of themselves that why would anyone, much less God want to save them.  I want you to see that the enemy of God will exploit either position to the detriment of us all. 

The Bible is clear, we are ‘fallen’ people.  That is what the Adam and Eve lesson is mostly about.  We are born with the propensity to sin.  That means if we live long enough and develop from infancy (innocence) we will sin, every one of us.  Once we sin, big or little, we need help, forgiveness and God.

Did you hear about the lady who was making funeral arraignments for her husband?  She wanted him buried 1000 feet deep… Why?  She said “deep down he’s basically a good person.”