Why the Fall Still Matters
In our pluralistic age, the doctrine of the Fall is counter-cultural because it declares:
1. Humanity is not basically good, only redeemable.
2. Evil is not external, but rooted in the human heart.
3. Progress cannot undo rebellion — only grace can.
Pluralism tells us that all paths lead upward; the Fall reminds us that all paths are broken until they meet the Cross. It calls believers to humility — we are not morally superior to others — yet it also calls the world to truth: salvation cannot come from within the fallen system.
📘 WORD BOX: GRACE
Meaning: God’s unmerited favor toward sinners, offering restoration through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Contrast: Where pluralism says “earn acceptance,” grace says “receive forgiveness.”
A Gospel-Shaped Response
Understanding the Fall doesn’t lead to despair — it leads to hope rightly placed. Only by acknowledging what went wrong can we appreciate what Christ made right. Where the Fall explains our ruin, the Gospel reveals our restoration. Where pluralism celebrates human diversity, Christianity celebrates divine mercy that unites believers from every culture under one Savior.
Reflection Questions
1. How does the biblical story of the Fall challenge modern views of human nature?
2. In what ways do today’s “gods” compete for our worship and loyalty?
3. Why does denying the Fall make grace meaningless?
4. How can Christians live faithfully among many beliefs without losing conviction or compassion?
References
The Holy Bible (Genesis 1–3; Romans 3; 5; Ephesians 2).
Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All (College Press, 2002).
Augustine, City of God.
C. S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man.
Written by Dr. Kevin A. Hall
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