Sometimes philosophers and theologians distinguish between two different kinds of ability—natural and moral. To Illustrate the difference, let’s imagine that Sue is a high school senior who is also a three-time state champion in each of her best two swimming events. This young woman who has been swimming since she was in pre-school has ample natural ability to swim. By this I am not necessarily saying swimming comes easy to her and she does not need to work at it. Rather, I am saying that in the realm of nature (what can be seen) she has an ability to swim.
Now, let’s say that Sue has an accident while riding her bicycle that necessitates surgery on a knee, puts her on crutches, and which leaves her with an inability in the natural realm (a natural inability) to swim. Though she wants to swim, at the time she cannot.
Let’s offer one more example. Let’s suppose that on the afternoon of her prom this same Sue, now fully recovered, receives a call from her coach who has scheduled a last-minute practice. The practice is to start only two hours before the prom. Since she already has her hair fixed and does not want to mess it up, she does not want to get into the pool. This desire is so strong that we can say she has a moral inability to practice that afternoon. This includes a movement of the heart so strong and/or decisive, a person will never want to do a certain action or make a certain choice.
It is important to be aware of the two different kinds of abilities (or inabilities) when discussing the fourteenth question and answer in The New City Catechism: “Did God create us unable to keep his law? Answer: No, but because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and unable to keep God’s law.”
Using our terminology above, the question asks, “Did God create humans with a natural inability to keep his law?” If he did, then it may be the case that humans would have the desire to obey God’s law, yet God never gave them sufficient resources for being able to obey. In that event, it would be unjust for God to hold mankind responsible.
In the answer we are told humans are morally unable to keep God’s law. This means we have such a strong desire away from trusting in and obeying God, we will never do it. It is similar to saying that though the avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan has a natural ability to cheer for the Colorado Buffaloes to win, usually they would lack the moral ability to do so since they would have such a strong desire against the Buffaloes.
The answer to the catechism question shares what the Bible teaches, that since we are born in sin, guilty in Adam, and corrupt in the depth of our being, we have a moral inability to keep God’s law. Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we will never want to carry out God’s will in the way he desires, to the extent he desire, for the purposes he desires.
This is what the Bible teaches. Consider Romans 8:7-8: “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Also 1 Corinthians 2:14 reads: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
Few realities display the need for salvation in Jesus Christ more than what is seen in this question and answer. Apart from Christ we have no hope.
Joyfully Praising Jesus For Our Salvation,
Tom
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