Isn't Man basically good?

[archdeaconb]

Hi, am I correct that we as Catholics believe that man has a good nature and protestants believe that man does not? How can we best defend our understanding? Thanks!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Arch,

The Catholic Church teaches that the redemption wrought by Christ has transformed human nature and that each human being is basically good.

Luther taught that redemption simply covered over human nature with a layer of goodness, much like “snow covering dung,” and that each human being is basically corrupt.

See:

• catholic.com/library/Grace_What_It_Is.asp
• Controversies on Grace
  Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.