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  • Essay / Biblical Aspects of Human Nature in the Bible

    The early chapters contain no restrictions on what animals can or cannot morally do – it is almost impossible for animals to make moral decisions because they do not rely only on their instincts. However, God places restrictions on what humans can and cannot do. In Genesis 2:16-17, God said, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat from it you will die. The quote may just be an allegory, but it shows why humans must be moral creatures and decide whether to follow or ignore God. Following God is a relationship based purely on love. We are not people without the possibility of choice. This sets us apart from all other animals and it is in our nature to have trusting and loving relationships with each other and with God. However, our relationship with God is not just a moral choice. Humans are moral and consequences depend on their choices. Chapter two also discusses other aspects of human nature besides morality. God gave Adam the task of naming every creature God created. As a result, “the man gave names to all the cattle, to the birds of the air, and to all the beasts of the field” (Gen 2:20). This quote can provide an answer to the human need to organize, categorize and define things. After all, man's job was to name everything that God had.