Brad Alles

Let’s continue examining psychology and the behavior of people.  While all worldviews state that humans are basically good, the Bible teaches Fallen Dualism.  In other words, we are fallen, or sinful beings whose nature is not good but self-centered.  We are dualistic, meaning that we possess both body and soul.

This is in contrast to Monism, the belief that humans are body only, with no soul.  That belief stems from the assumptions of naturalism and evolution.  There is nothing in this physical world but things comprised of  matter and molecules.  We have a brain, which can be touched because it is made of atoms. However, the soul, which is immaterial and unable to be touched, does not exist.  In this mindset, we are simply matter in motion–our brain tells us what to do, reacting to stimuli, but we have no free will and soul with which to make decisions.

On the other hand, the Bible states that God created man with both body and soul.  Genesis 2:7 says, “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

Even though created perfect, Adam and Eve sinned, disobeying God in the Garden of Eden.  Because of their rebellion, all humans are sinful.  The Apostle Paul writes about this  in Romans 5:12, “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”  In spite of humanity’s sinfulness, God had mercy by sending a Savior to remove our sin and guilt.

In a biblical worldview, good mental health involves confession of sin, forgiveness granted through Jesus, and a repentant life which shows a change of heart and actions.

Our greatest need is not doing whatever we want, but redemption through Christ.  That is clear from Hebrews 9:27-28.  It says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”