The Bible recounts humanity’s tragic fall from grace, beginning with the first sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, persuaded by Satan, disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. This act of rebellion marked the original sin, representing humanity’s choice to govern the world apart from God. By rejecting God’s authority, mankind effectively enthroned itself, leading to catastrophic consequences.
This disobedience severed the perfect relationship between humanity and its Creator. Physical death entered the world, the harmony between humans and creation was shattered, and the earth itself began to groan under the weight of sin, manifesting in natural disasters and decay. Even more devastating, humanity’s descendants inherited a sin nature, born spiritually dead and separated from God. Evidence of this brokenness is visible in the world and in the human heart.
Evidence of Humanity’s and the World’s Brokenness
1. Anger and Murder
Have you ever experienced pure rage? It consumes the mind, distorts judgment, and often leads to harm. The Bible’s first account of sin outside Eden is fueled by this destructive emotion. Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, sought favor from God with their offerings. Abel’s sincere, heartfelt sacrifice pleased God, while Cain’s offering fell short. Instead of humbling himself and seeking to improve, Cain grew jealous and enraged. His jealousy culminated in the murder of his brother—a desperate attempt to eliminate competition for God’s favor.
Cain’s sin brought deep sorrow: Abel was lost to murder, and Cain, exiled by God, was lost to sin. This story echoes through time, as humanity continues to compare, envy, and rage. When our pride is wounded, we lash out—if not with physical violence, then with hatred in our hearts. This tendency to destroy rather than reconcile is a somber reminder of humanity’s fallen nature.
2. Slavery
Slavery represents another grievous manifestation of sin’s brokenness. History is scarred by the oppression of entire races of people, treated as property rather than beings created in the image of God. In the Bible, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, forcing them to build their empire while subjecting them to brutal conditions. Pharaoh, consumed by pride and a false sense of superiority, ordered the murder of Israelite infants, increased the Israelites’ toil, and inflicted suffering to maintain dominance.
This dehumanization angered God, who responded with ten devastating plagues that shattered Egypt’s economy and humbled its ruler. The sin of slavery illustrates humanity’s willingness to ignore God’s moral law, elevating one group over another in defiance of the truth that all people are created equal.
3. Historical Evidence of Humanity’s Brokenness
Historical atrocities and philosophical insights provide additional evidence for humanity’s inherent brokenness. Across history, wars, genocides, and widespread injustice reveal the universality of sin. From ancient empires enslaving millions to modern crimes against humanity, human nature consistently demonstrates moral failure. Philosophers like Blaise Pascal recognized this tension, noting that humanity is both capable of greatness and deeply flawed. This duality—noble aspirations marred by selfishness and evil—is a reality best explained by the doctrine of original sin.
4. Sin and Brokenness
At the root of these sins—murder, slavery, and countless others—is humanity’s arrogance. We reject God’s design for morality and justice, setting ourselves up as rulers over others and even over God. When life does not conform to our desires, we take life, enslave others, and create systems of oppression.
As a result, the world reflects both beauty and brokenness. Nature displays the splendor of God’s handiwork, while humanity often reveals the depths of its corruption. This duality leaves us torn between hope and despair—optimistic about the beauty of life and God’s creation, yet sorrowful over the pain and evil wrought by sin.