Fall of Humanity: Then and Now - Assignment Example

Fall of Humanity: Then and Now Worksheet Details: In this assignment you will analyze the implications of the fall of Humanity, consider the impact of the fall on humanity, and reflect on the continuing consequences of the fall for people throughout human history. One of the central components of every worldview is the topic of human nature. The topic of human nature asks questions about human value, human flourishing, and human purpose. Within the Christian worldview, the issue of sin and the consequences of the fall factor prominently into the topic of human nature. In this two-part assignment you will explore the topic of human nature from the perspective of the Christian worldview. The first part of the assignment involves gathering research. The second part of the assignment addresses how the effects of the fall are still evident in the world today. Use the “Fall of Humanity: Then and Now Worksheet” to complete this assignment. After you have completed both parts of the assignment with references, submit the single Word document through Turnitin before clicking Final Submit. PART ONE: THE FALL - THEN Read the assigned readings in Topic 3 (textbook chapter 4, Lecture 3, "The Mystery of Original Sin” article, and Bible passages) and address the following questions with a total word count (including questions) of 500-750 words. Cite all of the resources used with in-text citations, using at least two sources from the Topic 3 readings. These will be included in the list of references at the end of the assignment. Write your paragraph response directly below each question: 1. What is revealed about human nature (from Gen 1-2)? The first two chapters of Genesis portray two principal aspects of the human nature. Firstly, humans are moral beings with the freedom to either serve God wholeheartedly or disobey. The Bible reveals at Genesis Chapter two that the choices that human make have consequences. God commanded Adam to partake of any fruit in the Garden of Eden except the tree in the midst that symbolized the knowledge about good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV). Although God’s command did not limit the behavior of other forms of creation, it stipulated boundaries that the couple in Eden had to observe. Failure to obey would result in death. It is imperative to note that God distinguished humans from animals because he gave them the ability to trust in him as an act of obedience (Shuster, 2013). However, God’s principles did not mandate free moral agents to serve him out of coercion. Rather, he allowed the first humans to exercise their love and trust in him. Furthermore, God’s plan to redeem mankind bases on the fact that humans are moral creatures. Secondly, God created humans in his image. The nature of the human brain reveals God’s miracle in the creation of the highest form of life on earth. God’s image becomes visible in the distinctiveness of humans from animals. Similarly, humans have the ability to show love to each other in a community setting. Although animals exhibit some aspects of communism, human experience lasts, and the selflessness of love surpasses animal instinct. Lastly, humans can experience love and mirror God’s qualities of justice, power, and wisdom if they eliminate subjugation and enslavement (Coulter, 2010). 2. What are the consequences of the Fall for human nature (from Gen 3)? In the Genesis account about the fall of humans, the story shifts from creation to Eve’s encounter with a serpent. She partakes of the fruit that God’s law forbids and convinces Adam to join her in the sin. Surprisingly, he partakes of the fruit and it results in litigation. When God asks the man why he ate the fruit, he shifts the blame to Eve. Similarly, Eve blames the serpent. The account reveals human autonomy as the Centre of human behavior (Shuster, 2013). Therefore, the autonomous response to God’s statutes resulted in the separation of humans from God. Although humans have the freedom to choose, they exercise it for selfish gain. Human nature is pervasive because it abuses the gift of freedom that God granted to humans. 3. What is revealed about human purpose from the readings? What does it mean for humans to flourish, in other words to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being? As mentioned above, humans denounced God’s headship, sovereignty, and the role as a moral agent. However, humans can achieve a turnaround if they work with God towards a wholesome transformation of selfishness. It is imperative that they learn about God’s righteousness and how to overcome the deceptive selfish orientation of the heart. Humans have the ability to restore their relationship with God and attain spiritual maturity. Therefore, they need to read and meditate the Bible daily and seek God’s guidance through prayer. What is more, humans should enjoy each other’s company at Christian meetings with fellow believers. Eventually, the cultivation of interpersonal relationships with like-minded Christians will enable them to draw close to God. 4. How might the answer to these questions differ according to different worldviews? It is worth noting that different scholars formulate theological theories about the account of creation and the fall of man. Some of the speculations are acceptable while others are non-Biblical. The world has several religions, and each interprets life differently while others are indifferent to the biblical view of human existence and morality. Some people believe that the account at Genesis 1-3 refers to a myth or a parable akin to Jesus’ sermons. In most cases, they view the account of creation as a miracle and refuse to accept the role of God. For this reason, they fail to believe in liability for wrongdoing and behave as if God is dead. The belief in the inexistence of God leads to an immoral society that is oblivious to the grievous consequences of deliberate sin. PART TWO: THE FALL - NOW Consider how the Fall and humanitys exposure to good and evil are seen in the way some people treat themselves and others in dehumanizing ways today (for example, abuse, addiction, bullying, domestic violence, eating disorders, human trafficking, pornography, poverty, racism, vandalism, etc.). Choose one act of dehumanization and write a short TV public service announcement in 350-500 words. Use at least two different sources from the GCU eLibrary, cited in the text and listed below in the list of references. Include the following: Highlight how the act of dehumanization is evident in the world today. Provide solid ideas for prevention. Include statistics, causes, and impact on people (victim, perpetrator, others as appropriate). Discuss how a God-centered worldview (as discussed in the "The Mystery of Original sin” article) might provide a solution. Within the script, include notes about the images and video that would be included when shooting the commercial. Two examples of a public service announcement: 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9waE2A-uIxQ 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFKAFo_etkE Write your paper below: The Internet continues to change the way people live and interact with one another. However, it can be a source of trouble for children especially young children. There are several mobile applications that online predators can use to lure small children into their traps (Alvarez, 2014). In her article “9 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids,” Felicia Alvarez mentions “Whisper,” “The Scary Truth,” “YikYak,” “Snapchat,” “Kik,” “Proof,” “Tinder,” “Vine,” and “Omegle” as the most dangerous applications to children. Apparently, online predators use these platforms to prey on unprotected children (Alvarez, 2014). Many parents, guardians, and adults are unaware of the danger they expose their children to when they leave them to use the Internet without supervision (Harvard University, 2008). Surprisingly, it is imperative to note that they either forget their parental roles or are ignorant of the presence of online predators. Predators send messages to children on their smartphones without the knowledge of their parents. In addition, most smartphones have the “hide application” feature that makes it relatively easy for children to mask their online presence (Harvard University, 2008). Another tactic that predators use is sharing pornographic videos with unsuspecting children. Although a child might resist at first, one look at pornographic material is enough to spark the desire to watch. Eventually, it leads to addiction or allows predators to locate them and try to contact them via other applications (Alvarez, 2014). Therefore, predators exploit the innocence of children for their personal gain. Such children think they are making fun, and there is nothing wrong with meeting strangers (Harvard University, 2008). Others perceive the laws at home as restrictive and need to get freedom from elsewhere (Fletcher, 2012). However, when God created humans, he made them in his image and likeness. It means that God gave humans the ability to reflect his perfect qualities. However, children who access online networking sites and applications do not follow the statutes in the Bible. These children are aware of the magnitude of the sins they commit when they hide the applications from their parents. Consequently, their reserved nature in the home reveals human selfishness. On the contrary, the Bible stipulates that humans need to interact to share ideas and solve problems (Hebrews 10:24-15, NIV). Parents should take the initiative to foster interpersonal relationships at home. They should encourage their children to speak openly about their problems. Eventually, children will align their lives according to God’s word and avoid committing sin deliberately what is more, if children can follow God’s principles and shy away from strangers, predation will end, and the society will be a safe place to live in accordance with God’s principles. REFERENCES List at least two references below for each part of the assignment above, for a minimum of four references. Prepare these references according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide located in the Student Success Center (found under RESOURCES > Student Success Center > The Writing Center > Style Guides).Include the Permalink for the GCU Library sources used. Example reference: Shuster, M. (2013). The Mystery of Original Sin: We dont know why God permitted the Fall, but we know all too well the evil and sin that still plague us. Christianity Today, 57(3), 38-41. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001935909&site=eds-live&scope=site List references below: Alvarez, F. (2014). 9 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids. http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/kids/9-most-dangerous-apps-for-kids.html Coulter, P. B. What Does it Mean to be Human? http://www.bethinking.org/human-life/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human/8-chapter-7 Harvard University. (2008). Enhancing Child Safety and online technologies. http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/sites/cyber.law.harvard.edu/files/ISTTF_Final_Report.pdf Shuster, M. (2013). The Mystery of Original Sin: We dont know why God permitted the Fall, but we know all too well the evil and sin that still plague us. Christianity Today, 57(3), 38-41. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001935909&site=eds-live&scope=site Fletcher, B. (2012, August 27). Child Internet Safety PSA – Online Predators https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9waE2A-uIxQ Read More