Things Are Not As They Ought to Be

The Fall: Why a Broken World Needs a Coherent Theology

I've always felt that the doctrine of the Fall is deeply essential and relevant to everyday life and faith. It provides a vital lens through which we see ourselves, the world, and God.

For me, this doctrine profoundly intersects with the area of theodicy: the struggle to reconcile God's goodness with the reality of evil and suffering. Without an understanding of the Fall, some may view suffering as intentionally part of God's design or purpose, a perspective that deeply conflicts with the compassionate, healing God I believe in. The Fall helps explain that suffering, brokenness, and evil are deviations from God's original goodness, rooted in human rebellion rather than divine intent.

I've shared my essay here not just to present my thoughts, but to invite yours. How does the idea of the Fall resonate with you? Does it challenge your understanding of the world and God, or perhaps bring comfort by clarifying why things are not as they ought to be? Or maybe it doesn’t make sense to you at all?

Of course, no theological essay is ever perfect, especially not one written in the warp and woof of a demanding life. The marker offered thoughtful feedback that I genuinely appreciated. In short, while they found the structure clear and the bibliography impressive, they invited me to do more heavy lifting with the term robust—what exactly makes a doctrine of the Fall “robust” versus “thin”? I also could’ve dug deeper into my sources (Hick and Wright, you slippery theologians), clarified whether I think Genesis 3 is a literal account or not, and properly defined “original sin”. Fair enough. Theology, like life, benefits from more precision, more reflection, and less assuming, this I am growing in.

I'd love for you to read, reflect, and then share your insights, questions, and even disagreements. Thanks for reading along, I'm glad you're here!

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Does Theology Require a Robust Doctrine of the Fall?

by Jacqui Wakelam, 2025

“I believe in Christianity, as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
– C. S. Lewis, Is Theology Poetry? (1944/2014, p. 15)

Introduction

As Lewis reflects in The Weight of Glory, from a Christian perspective, Scripture offers a lens through which all aspects of life can be illuminated and understood (Lewis, 1949). Similarly, the Fall clarifies God’s relationship with creation and, viewed eschatologically, provides the groundwork for hope. It serves as an interpretative key, weaving together the narrative strands of creation, fall, cross, resurrection, and new creation. More than an origin story, it is the anchor point around which we understand our anthropology, soteriology, theodicy, and our eschatology.

Rather than arguing for Christian beliefs here, I take them as the foundation upon which this essay unfolds. In this essay, I will argue that a robust doctrine of the Fall is essential for maintaining a cohesive theological narrative. I will engage with this multifaceted area at both a theological and pastoral level. This will be explored across three sections: (1) Heart Revealed — how the Fall affected humanity and the world; (2) Humanity Redeemed— how we now live in the tension between brokenness and redemption, and (3) Hope Restored— the forward movement towards a cosmic restoration.