4. The Fall of a Mankind

Mankind was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, mankind (by willful choice) ignored God’s instructions…choosing to engage in what they knew was wrong and evil. As a result, mankind fell from innocence and goodness and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).

Importance of this Doctrine:

The fact that mankind fell from its original innocence and moral goodness is ignored by humanistic philosophies which teach that the human race can be improved and moral imperfection removed through education. The truth is that mankind apart from God is fallen or morally defective. The Bible teaches that mankind is destined to remain fallen, until tendency toward evil thoughts and deeds is reversed through accepting the salvation provided in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Education can improve a person intellectually and socially, but belief in the saving work of Jesus Christ is the only lasting means that can improve a person morally. Salvation restores the relationship with God that was broken with the fall of mankind.

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