Lord's Day 3

6   Q.  Did God create people
        so wicked and perverse?

    A.  No.
        God created them good^1 and in his own image,^2
          that is, in true righteousness and holiness,^3
        so that they might
          truly know God their creator,^4
          love him with all their heart,
          and live with him in eternal happiness
        for his praise and glory.^5

    ^1  Gen. 1:31
    ^2  Gen. 1:26-27
    ^3  Eph. 4:24
    ^4  Col. 3:10
    ^5  Ps. 8


7   Q.  Then where does this corrupt human nature
        come from?

    A.  From the fall and disobedience of our first parents,
          Adam and Eve, in Paradise.^1
        This fall has so poisoned our nature^2
          that we are born sinners--
          corrupt from conception on.^3

    ^1  Gen. 3
    ^2  Rom. 5:12, 18-19
    ^3  Ps. 51:5


8   Q.  But are we so corrupt
        that we are totally unable to do any good
        and inclined toward all evil?

    A.  Yes,^1 unless we are born again,
        by the Spirit of God.^2

    ^1  Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Job 14:4; Isa. 53:6
    ^2  John 3:3-5