SEMESTER 1
203 – The Moral Nature of Man
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY I LESSON # 3
THE MORAL NATURE OF MAN
INTRODUCTION:
1. It is scripturally obvious that man was created very different from the beasts.
i. In that he, and not the beasts was created “in God’s image.” (Gen 1:26
)
ii. In that he is given dominion over the beasts. (Gen 1:28)
iii. In that distinction is made in value of life. (Gen 9:3-6)
2. This difference is rightly referred to in Scripture as “moral nature.”
i. That is to say, man is a moral being where the beast is not.
ii. It is obvious that evolution, by implication, denies any such distinction.
iii. This state of being involves both abilities and responsibilities.
3. What then are the faculties that make man morally distinct from the beasts?
I. INTELLECT
1. Man has the power to receive knowledge, analyze facts, draw conclusions and act with expected results and goals in mind.
2. This is very relevant to his responsibility. (Joh 9:41)
3. Thus, he can remember, record, recollect, and thus compound and transmit knowledge.
4. This is seen in invention, organization, etc.
5. This is in contrast to the beast, which without domestication, or change forced by circumstances, never improves or alters his basic way of life.
II. CONSCIENCE
1. Conscience may not be (strictly speaking) a mental faculty, the word may be sensibility.
2. However, approached with the face of “God awareness” brought into view, the word conscience best describes this faculty of man’s nature.
i. Read and consider Romans 1:19-20 and Romans 2:14-15.
3. Conscience is rightly defined as “the power to know right from wrong” and feel obligated to do right.
i. This conscience is relevant to and consistent with intellect.
4. Conscience is man’s ultimate guide, but never an infallible or an independent guide.
5. Consider acts according to information assembled by the mind, often supra-intellectual but never sub-intellectual.
6. For this reason the conscience must be prompted and guided by God’s law to ever act rightly.
III. THE WILL
1. By will, we mean man’s self-determination. It involves imminent preference and executive volition.
2. The will is simply the preferences and subsequent purposes which flow from character.
3. Acts of will reflect choice between motives.
4. The will is, and has always been, free to choose between these motives, according to the nature and character of he who chooses.
5. It is never free to act according to that which is ultimately contrary to character.
6. Thus, man in his created, fallen and regenerated state, acts with equal freedom, but with different preference, because they are different characters.
7. The beast has will, but it is of instinct, modified by circumstances, not an operation of self-determination.