Here in Volume V, we will talk about the value and moral nature of humanity. In Section A, we will briefly discuss the CT/RT view, and then go on in Sections B through N to see what the Bible reveals about these subjects. These discussions are divided into the following sections.
We will see human nature in a more positive light than CT/RT teaches. Since I will be presenting a more positive view, I must be very careful to communicate accurately. When people are hearing new ideas or are being challenged in what they presently believe, they often mishear what is being communicated. Therefore, I ask you to read as carefully as I am writing.
I did not always hold the more positive view of human nature that I am about to explain. For over 20 years of ministry, I believed and taught that non-Christians are totally depraved (explained in Section A) and are unable to do anything good. During those early years of ministry, I simply repeated the teachings of those who trained me. I had never considered any other view about the nature of humanity because I was told that only liberal Christians believed that non-Christians are capable of doing any good. I certainly did not want to be liberal, since I was also trained to think of liberals as the ones who had gone astray by abandoning their foundation in the Bible. However, I kept coming across Bible verses that did not correspond with the negative view that I had been taught about the moral nature of humanity.
One of the verses that surprised me was in Luke, where Jesus was speaking to His disciples and encouraging them to love their enemies. In that passage, He said:
Even sinners love those who love them. —Lk. 6:32b
As we examine these words of Jesus carefully, we find that the word “love” is translated from the Greek word agape. I had been taught that non-Christians are incapable of doing any good. Yet Jesus said sinners agape love those who love them.
If this was the only verse in the Bible accrediting positive characteristics to unbelievers, I may have been able to reason it away and continue holding to the negative view of humanity that I had been taught, but I kept finding more verses that accredit positive characteristics to non-Christians. Some of those verses we will discuss in the pages that follow.
Determined to seek out and find the truth, I committed to a serious study of the Scriptures and the historical development of the C/R understanding of human nature. What I learned shook a pillar in my theology. Because I believe the Scriptures are inspired by God, and therefore serve as the standard for doctrinal truth, I could no longer teach what I had been taught.
Then I had to decide whether I should make my new convictions known. It was inevitable that if I spoke out, some other Bible teachers would rise to challenge me, and such challenges can be uncomfortable. It is most difficult when people throw out accusations based on what they have heard secondhand, rather than based on their examination concerning what I have written. I welcome all who will examine this subject with me seriously. In the process of our learning together, I will take my stand with Luther when he said:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.34
As I present my convictions concerning the nature of humanity, some readers may wrongly think that I am teaching Pelagianism, which we will explain in Section M. Let me confidently assure you that I believe and teach that every human being sins and every person is dependent upon the mercy and grace of God, through Jesus, for salvation. However, I will show you how people are not as bad as CT/RT teaches.