A century ago, a major newspaper in the U.K. asked several writers to ponder and answer the question, “What is wrong with the world?” One author is supposed to have replied in this way: “Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”
St. Augustine, a fourth-century bishop, described humanity's sinful condition using the Latin phrase "incurvatus in se." This term means that people are "turned in on themselves," signifying that human souls are bent out of shape by sin, causing individuals to live for their own desires and instincts rather than God. This self-centeredness prevents a proper relationship with God and others. The article asserts that this "bad case of incurvatus" can only be cured by Jesus Christ.
When we first find Adam in the early days of creation (Genesis 1-2), he is happy, holy, obedient, and content with God and his provision. He lives a God-ward life of faith, fellowship, work, worship, and marriage. It is not until Satan slithers in (Genesis 3) that he and Eve are unsettled with their lot in life. You get a sense that all of today’s mantras were on the serpent’s tongue – follow your heart, do your truth, be your own god, you’re the boss of you, have it your way, love yourself, look out for number one, have some “me time”…
After Adam’s fall into sin, we find him, as well as the generations to follow, living a self-centered life. Cain murders Abel over worship. Lamech’s revenge is greater than all others. The generation of Noah’s day only did evil all of the time. The Tower of Babel is attempted to make a name for a generation. Prophets, priests, kings, and Israelites all lived for themselves, disregarding God’s words and ways. When Jesus arrives in history, he finds a people living in darkness and in need of Light.
Today’s world is no different – greed, injustice, murder, broken relationships, and wars all tell us that the world is broken by sin.
St. Augustine, a fourth century bishop in North Africa, described man’s sinful condition by using a latin phrase “incurvatus in se”, meaning that people are turned in on themselves. Our souls are bent out of shape due to sin. We can’t see past our noses, desires, and instincts. We don’t look to God. We don’t tremble at his threatens, embrace his promises, or yield obedience to his commands. We live for ourselves.
What’s wrong with the world? People! Unless cured by Jesus Christ, we have a bad case of incurvatus.