The Brain, The Mind, and God

In explaining human nature to someone who uses the categories of the brain and mind, I would start off by stating that those who subscribe to the notion that human nature can be understood only by logic and reasoning most often embrace a Darwinian view of man as one who has gone through an evolutionary process.  This can be categorized under both a biological view of man and a philosophical view of man.[1] The biological view sees man through the lenses of, “survival of the fittest”,  man “remains an animal through and through.”[2] For the survival of the human race is merely a physical reality.  This state of being, the notion or discussion of human nature as being good or evil does not seem to have a place for discussion. The discussion of ethics/morality is absent from evolutionary thinking. The philosophical view sees man one who reasons, “man is what he thinks, and the thinker is the complete person (education=virtue).”[3] Other views of man include the following: materialistic, “he is wholly constituted by the physicochemical world, even though he is quite complicated in composition”[4]; psychological, “man is a creature wholly formed by his heredity and environment, and all that he does is determined by that.”[5]  The physiological state views man as having the Darwinian idea of man as having animal instincts.[6] Another view of man is economic, sociological, existentialist views., all of which divorce the idea of God-consciousness from the human being.  “…something quite fundamental is missing…we must view man in the light of divine revelation…through revelation, there is a theological understanding  of man.”[7]

However, most will agree that what makes man distinct from animals is his ability to reason and live with certain moralistic constraints within society.  However, to think of living in a society that demands some degree of morality means exercising restrain from doing evil and embracing the good. “To be human is to exists in relationship, and thus be responsible for and to the other person.”.[8]   Being a good human being should require one to examine the very notion of what makes something good.  In turn, it should also cause one to examine the notion of evil.  One cannot argue that human nature is prone to do only good.  If the man who rejects all notions of God is honest, he will admit that selfishness, greed, envy, etc. are part and parcel of who he is.  And while evil, or sin may not be a part of the vernacular of the non Christians, it’s difficult to deny it’s existence.   This introduces the discussion of sinful human nature.  Rooted within Christian theology is the idea that even though man is made in the image of His God (imago dei), who was made to reflect God’s virtues.  However, the reason why man fails to fully live up to his God-image or fails to do good at all times is because of sin.  For the man who values reason, the fact is that he cannot deny that sin or evil exists in his world.  He understands that his philosophical view of mankind, his value of intellect and reason cannot solve the problem of evil. For the Christian, the doctrine of salvation is important because evil could only be defeated through a Savior.  God who is completely good provided a means for humanity to live in victory over evil. 

The implications of this are that the morality or goodness that man seeks after, comes from a place of acting in conformity with God his Creator who personifies goodness-love and who provides man the power to live in victory over evil.  For this reason, the theology of salvation is necessary.  It’s only the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross can bring man into conformity with the love he is to display on the earth, towards others.  “Thus when man truly loves, he reflects the central aspect of God’s character; for God is love.  Hence, a person is to be measured not so much by creative genius and intellectual accomplishments but by the degree to which he or she embodies the love of God.”[9]  In Romans 3:22, the apostle Paul says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” However, the good news for the person whose faith is in Christ is that there is a “redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24). 

The person who rejects faith in Christ and attempts to live a life of love for his fellow man will often find that his failure is sure.  Romans 7: ..Paul says or the person who tries to do good on his own, “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.”   For the believer, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is vital for living a life of love and service to others.  Without the power of Christ, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot live in victory over sin, for the Holy Spirit is the one to help “Thus when the Holy Spirit comes, He will be the guide to all the truth that is in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will operate both from within and without.”[10]

[1]  Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from A Charismatic Perspective, Rodman Williams. Williams states concerning this view, “Man is an animal with a highly developed nervous system; the laws of his being are biological in character.  He is the most highly evolved of all animals through a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest (Darwin)..” p. 197

[2] Williams p. 197.

[3] Williams 198

[4] Williams p. 197 

[5] Williams 197

[6] Williams 197

[7] Williams 198

[8] Williams p. 207

[9] Williams 207

[10] Williams 237