Christianity is fundamentally a religion centered on salvation. It asserts that the world is in a state of decline, a notion tied to the concept of the Fall—an event believed to be orchestrated by God. While this idea may provoke swift rebuttals from some Christians, many theologians within the faith uphold that God established the conditions for the Fall. In this view, humanity bears the responsibility for the ensuing decline rather than God.According to Christian doctrine, the Fall is perceived as so grave that it has tainted God’s original creation, rendering nothing inherently good, with the exception of those recreated in Jesus Christ. Thus, the Christian perspective on humanity is that individuals are innately corrupt and sinful, and that the world—once good—is now deteriorating. The ultimate consequence of this decline raises the question of what lies beyond: could it be hell? Hence, humanity requires a savior, one who is both divine and human, which Christians believe Jesus embodies. Without Him, salvation and hope are nonexistent, and humanity faces impending doom.Christians profess faith in a God capable of creating a flawed world, despite asserting that He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. One might wonder if this ‘falling creation’ is the result of an accident—perhaps the work of a lesser deity such as the Demiurge. How can an all-knowing and all-powerful God be responsible for a flawed creation, place blame on His creatures, and subsequently endeavor to create anew? What assurance do we have that this “second” creation won’t encounter the same fate? If humanity’s free will and disobedience led to the original Fall, what becomes of that free will in this so-called second creation? This line of reasoning could be viewed as blasphemous, casting God as both the architect of a fallen world and ascribing blame to finite beings.What, then, is sin—this notion that purportedly nullifies God’s good creation? If salvation was necessitated by the fall, how can humanity be held accountable for something that was foretold to transpire? This reasoning invites serious scrutiny.In my assessment, the belief that God authored a flawed world and that humans are inherently evil must be entirely renounced and condemned. Anyone who subscribes to such a perspective, which I deem as contrary to human goodness and dignity, is misguided. I cannot accept the notion of an omnipotent God who would choose to create a falling world. Such a God, in my view, does not deserve reverence. Christians have positioned themselves paradoxically—both elevated and diminished—straying from the true essence of humanity as envisioned by God.Human goodness is intrinsic and impervious to corruption, rooted in our very being. Our actions do not define our essence; rather, our genuine existence is what holds meaning. No amount of wrongdoing can nullify the divine goodness inherent in creation. To assert otherwise is absurd and contradictory to the biblical narrative found in Genesis 1-2. The text emphasizes that God created the world good and declared it so, independent of human obedience or ritualistic acts.Goodness is not a mere construct of culture; it is not born from blind conformity to outdated norms or traditions. The reductionist tendencies to categorize people—whether by race, gender, or moral standing—into simplistic binaries must be recognized as unhelpful. It is blasphemous to suggest that human worth derives solely from culture or religion. Individuals are not defined as good or evil merely by cultural standards. As recounted in Acts 10:15, “Do not call evil what God has created good.”God’s affection for humanity is inconceivable without an underlying belief in human goodness. This divine love asserts that humans possess the capacity for love in return. Love transcends hierarchical distinctions—it dismisses notions of superiority or inferiority. God does not love those He perceives as inherently evil or lesser beings. Instead, love serves as the foundation for equality and shared dignity.God’s love for humanity affirms that we share a status and essence akin to His, enabling us to cherish and love one another, including the divine.God expresses a profound belief in human beings and their inherent goodness. This conviction implies that humans are capable of responsibility and can be entrusted with significant promises. It would be illogical to suggest that God placed His creation in the care of humans (Genesis 1:26) if He simultaneously believed that humanity was destined for moral failure and inherent evil. No rational individual would entrust valuable possessions to someone perceived as a potential criminal. Indeed, to argue that God was unaware of humanity’s impending fall is not only absurd but also blasphemous. Thus, it stands that God believes in the innate goodness of humanity.However, Christians maintain the existence of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), which is often associated with religious missions and evangelism. This initiative can be seen as a framework that, unfortunately, overlaps with practices of manipulation and control. At its core, the underlying belief of many Christians is that humanity is inherently sinful and in dire need of a savior to avoid impending destruction. This perspective positions Christians as the sole bearers of righteousness, tasked with delivering others from what they perceive as divine wrath.Consequently, this view fosters a sense of superiority over those outside the Christian faith. When Christians engage with others, their motivations may stem more from a sense of obligation rather than an authentic expression of love and connection. To genuinely love others, one must first recognize their potential for goodness and the capacity to reciprocate that love. However, many Christians view those outside their faith as fundamentally flawed, seeing them as devoid of worth and in a state of moral decay. This perception leads to outreach efforts driven by a desire to impose beliefs rather than to foster mutual growth and understanding.True love is rooted in the belief that the beloved possesses inherent worth and can reciprocate love. If Christians truly embraced this principle, they would reconsider their approach to mission and evangelism. They would need to abandon any tendencies to manipulate or exploit others, as well as recognize and honor human dignity and goodness. The Jesus they profess to follow exemplified unconditional love, approaching all individuals with the belief that they were capable of loving in return. He did not see people as irredeemably flawed but rather as capable of goodness and growth.It can be compelling to view God and Jesus as humanists—champions of human dignity and potential. In stark contrast, some expressions of Christianity today may come across as promoting a sense of superiority that diminishes the value of others. It raises the question: Are Christians, in their fervent mission, losing sight of the very essence of love and compassion that their faith espouses?In conclusion, it is crucial to reflect on the implications of these beliefs. Perhaps the essence of being a follower of Christ should not be rooted in a perception of superiority or an “us versus them” mentality. Instead, embracing the belief in the goodness of all humanity could lead to a more authentic expression of love and a genuine connection to those around us.
