Fall of Humanity: Then and Now Worksheet

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)?

In Genesis 1-2 it is revealed that we, as humans, are made in God’s image and therefore our human nature reflects some of God’s attributes, although in a limited way. The bible tells us that God made us “very Good” (Genesis 1:31). Our goodness was marred by Adam and Eves sin and we fell victim to that sinful human nature. Just as we inherited eye color or hair color we inherited sin from Adam and Eve. 2. What are the consequences of the Fall for human nature (from Gen 3)? If you read Romans 5:12 it says,“Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so sin spread through all men.” Sin affected every part of our being and it separated us from God. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God they broke their fellowship with God. With the fall death entered the world and every thing is subject to death. 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?

Humans are emotional beings and we let negative emotions take over and we let negative things get to us. We should follow the plan God has for us even if we don’t understand it or know it. Our purpose is to please God and not people. Everything we do in our life should bring honor and glory to God (1 Thessalonians 2:4). For myself I rely on God for everything in my life. I trust in him 100%. I have a relationship with him. I talk to him. My purpose is to bring him honor and glory and to spread his word. As a Christian it’s my duty to win people over to the wonderful hings God does. If I sit on the back burner and do not tell people about God, then I am not doing my duty. I am not fulfilling my purpose. 4. How might the answer to these questions differ according to different worldviews? Atheists would not believe our purpose in life is to please God. Since they do not believe in a God they would not bring honor or glory to a god. I think each worldview has their own way of finding emotional and mental well-being. As a Christian I rely on God. He brings me comfort.

PART TWO: THE FALL – NOW
Consider how the Fall and humanity’s 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:
In todays society addiction is a common thing for people to suffer. Addiction is not only physical things that people consume, such as drugs and alcohol, but may include virtually anything from food to gambling. People with addictions do not have any control over their bodies and their actions.

According to Christian Nordqvist, “Addiction, often referred to as dependency often leads to tolerance – the addicted person needs larger and more regular amounts of whatever they are addicted to in order to receive the same effect (Nordqvist, 2009, para. 10). Family members who have to deal with addiction patients report heightened stress and psychological morbidity (Lee, Manning, Wong, et al, 2011). Studies show that these people suffered from depression, stress, and psychiatric morbidity, and overall poor well-being. By living a God-centered life addicts will have the possible means to a solution to their problems.

There was a study done where addicts did a Christian Faith-Based Recovery program. The addicts were asked to acknowledge God and were then aware of their self in relation to God. The next step of the process was communication with God. They asked God to help them and therefore acknowledged God. According to Shirley Timmons, “recovering persons learn and/or apply Christian beliefs that God is their helper. They do not always recognize this role of God due to a lack of knowledge about (or belief in) Christianity and an oftentimes total preoccupation with addiction (Timmons, 2012). By living this God-Centered lifestyle within their recovery these addicts were able to recover from their addictions. 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 don’t 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:

LEE K, MANNING V, WONG K, et al. Stress-coping morbidity among family members
of addiction patients in Singapore. Drug & Alcohol Review [serial online]. July 2011;30(4):441-447. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 3, 2015.

Nordqvist, Christian. Medical News Today. MediLexicon International. Web. 3 Aug. 2015.

Timmons, Shirley. “A Christian Faith-Based Recovery Theory: Understanding God As Sponsor.” Journal Of Religion & Health 51.4 (2012): 1152-1164. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Aug. 2015.