Social conditioning plays a major part in the development of human evil

Pexels:Oleg Magni  

From 2003

The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University 

MPhil 2003

Statement thirty-three: The thirty-third statement stated: Social conditioning plays a major part in the development of human evil. 

I think that social conditioning with laws, and social rules can help somewhat to prohibit sinful human nature from exploring and developing evil in greater measure. The fact that we as human beings require laws to live by, shows that our sinful nature needs to be kept in check in order to prevent greater amounts of evil from taking place. With this statement, 62% of Anglicans agreed, with 20% not certain, and 18% disagreeing. In the Baptist group, 52% of responders agreed, while 20% were not certain, and 28% disagreed.

December 16 2019

Seems to me, a New Testament gospel mandate is to proclaim the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28). Political engagement, although not biblically prohibited, is always secondary to a gospel-focused witness and action. This whether on the political, left, centre or right. This whether liberal, conservative, libertarian or other. A Christian worldview should submit political beliefs to the gospel. Not the vice-versa...

Unsplash Wesley Tingey Rockefller Plaza

From 2010

2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter

Western Christians need to examine the side they are on in many of the world’s social struggles, particularly in regard to the third world. Brown (1984: 160-161). Anderson (2001: 181). In my mind there is a danger that Christianity, whether conservative or liberal, becomes overly influenced by cultures where it exists. Christian thought must stay true to Biblical and theological principles at the expense of being led astray by societal movements that later in history may be deemed to have been corrupt.

Any historical corruption of the Christian Church is, in the end, a poor witness of Christ and the gospel and weakens the credibility of Christian ministry in the minds of many critics. Anderson reasons the Church needs to repent for wrong doing in its existence. Anderson (2001: 180-181). 

ANDERSON, RAY S. (2001) The Shape of Practical Theology, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

BROWN, ROBERT MCAFEE (1984) Unexpected News, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.