The Truth Project

In the third lesson of The Truth Project, a biblically grounded series produced by Focus on the Family, Dr. Del Tackett tackles the fundamental question, “Who is man?” This lesson, titled Anthropology: Who is Man?, unpacks the nature, purpose, and moral state of humanity from a Christian worldview, contrasting it with secular philosophies. By rooting its arguments in Scripture, the lesson addresses the problem of evil, the essence of humanity, and the implications of competing worldviews, offering a robust framework for understanding human identity.

The lesson opens by emphasizing that two questions—“Who is God?” and “Who is man?”—form the cornerstone of every worldview. These questions shape how individuals perceive reality, morality, and purpose. Dr. Tackett introduces the “cosmic battle” within each person, drawing from Galatians 5:16-17, which describes the conflict between the sinful nature and God’s Spirit. This internal struggle, further explored in Romans 8:5-14, Romans 6:12, and Romans 7:15-25, underscores the tension between human desires and divine calling. The biblical view posits that humanity’s identity is inseparable from its relationship with God, a perspective that contrasts sharply with secular ideologies.

Tackett outlines three states of human existence to define man’s essence. First, humanity was created innocent, as Genesis 1:27 declares, “God created man in His own image.” This original state reflects humanity’s unique purpose and dignity. However, the fall, described in Genesis 6:5 and Romans 5:12, introduced sin, corrupting human nature and leading to universal depravity. The consequence of this fallen state is severe: Revelation 20:15 and Hebrews 9:27 warn of judgment and hell for those who remain unredeemed. Yet, the hope of redemption shines through in Revelation 5:9, which celebrates Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. For believers, this redemption leads to glorification, where the body is transformed into an imperishable state (1 Corinthians 15:42).

The lesson also addresses the debate over whether humans are dualistic (both flesh and spirit) or monistic (purely material). The biblical view affirms dualism, recognizing the spiritual dimension that connects humanity to God. In contrast, naturalistic philosophies, which dominate secular thought, reduce humans to mere matter. This reductionism has profound implications: it denies the existence of gods or purposive forces, erodes the foundation for ethics, negates free will, dismisses life after death, and renders life meaningless. By stripping away the spiritual, naturalistic worldviews leave humanity adrift, without purpose or moral grounding.

Tackett critiques secular theories of human needs, particularly Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy, which culminates in self-actualization—the idea that man’s ultimate goal is to fulfill personal potential. This notion, labeled a “pernicious lie,” suggests that getting in touch with one’s inner nature is sufficient for fulfillment, ignoring the reality of sin. Similarly, Carl Rogers’ assertion that “evil is not inherent in human nature” reflects a secular optimism that contrasts with the biblical doctrine of depravity. Scriptures like Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5-10 call believers to “put to death” their earthly nature, acknowledging that humans are inherently sinful and in need of transformation through Christ.

The lesson challenges the secular view that humans are basically good. Genesis 6:5 describes the heart of man as “only evil continually” before the flood, and Romans 5:12 affirms that sin entered the world through Adam, affecting all humanity. This depravity explains humanity’s propensity for evil, from personal failings to societal injustices. By contrast, secular thinkers like Maslow and Rogers attribute evil to external factors, such as culture or social structures, rather than an internal moral failing.

The lesson probes deeper into the question, “If evil is not inherent in man, then where does it come from?” Secular thinkers like Maslow argue that “sick people are made by a sick culture,” while Rogers attributes evil to “cultural influences.” These perspectives shift blame to social institutions and authority structures, providing a basis for contemporary battles over societal frameworks. For example, secular ideologies often critique institutions like family, government, or religion as sources of oppression, rather than acknowledging personal responsibility for sin.

From a biblical perspective, this externalization of evil is misguided. Scripture locates the root of evil in the human heart, corrupted by the fall. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,” reinforcing the need for divine intervention rather than cultural reform alone. By blaming society, secular worldviews avoid confronting the individual’s moral accountability, leading to incomplete solutions for addressing evil.

Tackett concludes by posing a provocative question: why does evil bother someone with a secular worldview? For Christians, evil is a theological problem with a clear explanation—sin entered the world through human rebellion, and redemption is available through Christ. However, for secularists, who often view humans as products of evolutionary processes, evil lacks a moral framework. If life is merely the result of random chance, why should actions be labeled “evil” at all? This inconsistency makes the problem of evil more perplexing for secular worldviews than for Christians, who have a coherent narrative of creation, fall, and redemption.

The Truth Project’s third lesson offers a compelling case for a biblical understanding of human nature. By addressing man’s essence, moral state, and the source of evil, Dr. Tackett challenges believers to reject secular philosophies that diminish humanity’s spiritual dimension and moral responsibility. Instead, the lesson affirms that humans are created in God’s image, fallen into sin, and redeemable through Christ’s sacrifice. This anthropology provides not only an explanation for evil but also hope for transformation, grounding believers in a worldview that aligns with Scripture and offers meaning in a broken world.

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