It is a common thing to hear complaints about how bad the world is getting. Whether it is the latest tragic headline, personal experiences, or just a general sense of wickedness, it is easy to observe how the world is filled with evil. The Bible tells us this is the common history of humanity: human beings proliferate (multiply) wickedness. Has there ever been a time when things have been so grievous as to make God regret making mankind?

Books usually start by introducing their main theme, main character(s), main antagonist, or main plot point. The Bible does all of this within the first few chapters of Genesis. We learn in these chapters the beginning of all things - that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. This sets a context for our reading of the Bible - that the Bible deals with real things in our universe.

The quote is the words of Martin Luther from the Diet of Worms trial that was held to judge him as a heretic if he didn’t recant his teachings. His answer, simple yet profound, has been in the historical records ever since. “Since your most serene majesty and your lordships require of me a simple, clear and direct answer, I will give one, and it is this: Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures and by clear reason (for I do not trust in the pope or councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

With the fall, every area of our life as humans has been affected by sin in such a way that we’re all inclined to evil; there are no innocent human beings. That means that our reason, our emotions, our desires, etc., are inclined to evil, not that they are as evil as they can be all the time, but we’re not by nature good since the fall. Human nature has gone astray; we’re now selfish people who look for our own good and our own benefit above anyone else. That also means that every good gift given to us by God has also been stained by sin, including our consciences.