Plantinga Ch. 3

In Chapter 3 of "Engaging God's World" Plantinga talks about the fall. This was an interesting read that caused for heated debate in class. However, I would like to look at some things that stuck out to me.

First, we all know about the fallen human race. Since the time when Adam and Eve disobeyed explicit instructions from God regarding the fruit of the tree, we have been fallen, wretched creatures. This is where total depravity comes in. We sin in all that we do, we have no hope by ourselves to be clean or good in any way whatsoever. This is why we need to have God to wash away our sins, without his sacrifice on the cross, we would all be guaranteed of utter damnation.

Plantinga also raises an interesting point when he points out than in all evil, there is goodness. Upon closer thought, we realize that this is true, for the Devil, the master of evil, cannot create anything. God is perfect, everything he does is perfect in every way, and therefore everything that is done starts out good. The devil can only pervert and twist what is good, and so while he is powerful and dangerous, we know he is nowhere near as powerful as God.

The third interesting point is the topic of common grace. Common grace implies that God loves you, and shows grace to you, regardless of your status as a believer. I would agree with this, and say that there are many good things done by nonbelievers. I believe that good can be done by anyone, whether they be Jew, Muslim, or Christian. If we take good to be anything that honors God or helps his creation, then you can see where there are many things non-Christians do that is good. I find that saying that Christians exclusively can do good to be haughty and wrong.