What is it that most affects how we identify ourselves, our potential, and what we can achieve? That’s the question at the heart of what is commonly known as the “nature versus nurture” debate. Is it our human nature, composed of our DNA, sex, ancestry, race, IQ, personality type, mental health, family health history, physical body, and/or personal attributes? Or is it who and what has nurtured us: our parents; where we live; our country of origin; our moral or ethical training; our mental, social, and physical environment; our economic or citizenship status; our religion; how others treat or respect us; whether we are bullied; the quality of our education; our exposure to violence and crime; the opportunities that come our way; and/or just plain luck?
Clearly, many things could affect our sense of ourselves and what happens in our future, but the teachings of Christian Science reveal that we never have to be trapped into adhering to either the human nature view or the human nurture view, or to both views. Actually, we can rise above both perspectives and look at this debate from a higher, spiritual viewpoint.
Both nature and nurture are critical to our identity as these terms are understood spiritually. Instead of delving into nature and nurture as human, material concepts, let’s explore our true spiritual nature as a child of God. Let’s consider, as well, how we are nurtured spiritually by God, the one real Parent of us all.
