By nature, are human beings spiritually dead or spiritually sick? Traditionally, Reformed theology or Calvinism emphasises that by nature sinners are spiritually dead without the ability to respond positively to the gospel or the commands of God. Other Christian traditions tend to see the plight of the sinner as spiritually sick, badly in need to help, but not necessarily totally unable to respond to the gospel.
Biblically, the truth is that fallen human beings are spiritually dead and also spiritually sick. There is explicit teaching that both are a true picutre of unregenerate sinners.
Paul, writing to Christians in Ephesus, describes their former state by nature: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Paul wrote similarly to the Colossians: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses." (Colossians 2:13)
Other Scriptures are clear that human sinfulness also operates like a sickness. Consider these passages:
"There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin." (Psalm 38:3)
"And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:17 - see also Matthew 9:12).
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Sitnce the Bible teaches both and since we know the Bible cannot contradict itself, the only conclusion is that in one sense we are spiritually dead and in another sense we are spiritually sick. I suspect that both are metaphors describing something important about the sinful state all of humanity is in by nature.
Spiritual death emphasises the sinner's inability to respond positively to God's invitations or commands.
Spiritual sickness emphasises the sinner's own suffering and limitations because of his or her sinful nature.
The Bible also talks about sin in terms of slavery, which emphasises the sinner's lack of freedom and bondage to Satan and evil. Verses such as these make that clear:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin." (John 8:34)
"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed." (Romans 6:16-17).
"Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning" (1 John 3:8)
All of these are meant to show the seriousness of the sinner's plight and are not meant to stand in opposition to one another.
We are spiritually dead, we are spiritually sick, and we are spiritually enslaved.
The only source of life, health and freedom is in and through Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation by grace, through faith, in him.
