This the second episode in a short series on our values. You can listen to our first shared value, "Curiosity over Certainty" in Episode 20 here.

By choosing goodness over wickedness, we affirm the original goodness of every human being and reject a theology that shames, demeans, and devalues. We choose a view of humanity rooted in Genesis 1, not Genesis 2. We reject a “worm theology” that declares our wretchedness and depravity, clinging instead to the truth of the gospel, freedom from condemnation in Christ, and our redemption to God.

Your default nature is not sinfulness, wickedness, and depravity. It is created for beauty, co-creation, and goodness.

“Though we are prone to sin and stray from God, it is important to remember that before original sin, we were clothed with original glory. God longs for humankind to experience the full restoration of our original glory, which we enjoyed at the beginning of creation.” (Ken Shigematsu, Now I Become Myself)

“Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” (Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved)

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