Looking At The Issue Of “Nature” Versus “Nurture”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Scientists have long debated the issue of “nature” versus “nurture” — that is, am I the person I am because of the way I was born, or because of the influences of my environment? There are some good arguments to be made on either side of the issue. We know that inherent factors play some role in shaping us. For example, an extraordinarily tall person’s life experiences will necessarily be different from those of a much shorter person.
The tall person might be able to pursue a career in professional basketball, while the smaller individual might become a jockey or race car driver. The everyday experiences of life will prove different for a left-handed person than for one who is right-handed.
It’s also true that our environment and experiences have a significant impact on the person we become. Would anyone question that the worldview of a child who grew up in an abusive home will take a different form from that of a child raised by loving parents? Will not a child surrounded by bigotry, perversion, and atheism take on a different perspective than one brought up in a godly environment where these attitudes are not present?
Will not a child who is raised in an environment of wealth, such as those in America, turn out differently than one raised in an environment of poverty such as those in Third World countries?
The question then, is not whether “nature” or “nurture” has the greater effect. Clearly, both play a significant role. But what is an individual’s response in light of these effects?
From the Scriptures, we know that Cain and Abel were brothers. Both grew to manhood in identical surroundings.
Why then did Abel obey God’s law regarding sacrifice, and Cain disobey? It’s impossible to say definitively, based on the information given us. However, when it comes to our individual responsibility, the Scriptures are clear — what matters to God, far more than either nature or nurture, is choice (Deuteronomy 30:19).
In Genesis 4:6-7, God said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Note that God did not discuss with Cain his inherent qualities or abilities, or the lack thereof. Nor did He refer to Cain’s background or life experience. God addressed Cain’s choice of action. If Cain did right according to God’s instructions, God would approve him; if Cain did wrong contrary to God’s instructions, he would commit sin (cf. 1 John 3:4; 1 John 5:17).
And God made certain that Cain knew that he possessed the power to choose wisely when he told him, “you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). Like Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob were two very different brothers. In fact, they were more than just brothers — they were fraternal twins.
We know they were different in part because of inbred factors: Esau was born covered with red hair, developing into a mighty specimen and great hunter, while Jacob was mild — his aptitudes lay in less physical pursuits (Genesis 25:25-27). They were also different because of environmental factors at home — Esau was preferred by their father Isaac while Jacob was the favorite of their mother Rebekah (Genesis 25:28).
However, when Esau abandoned the way of righteousness and became “profane” (Hebrews 12:16 KJV), he could blame neither nature nor nurture, but only his own poor choices: “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17).
It’s true — there are things about ourselves that we cannot change (Matthew 5:36, Matthew 6:27). We can’t change the characteristics with which we were born, the environment in which we grew up, nor the experiences of our past. However, what we can change is what we are doing right now — at this very moment in time (2 Corinthians 6:2).
We can “choose” to follow Jesus and obey His commands (Joshua 24:15; Matthew 4:18-20; cf. John 14:21; John 14:23; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:13; 1 John 2:1-5). The question is: “Will we?”
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