Book of Common Prayer (page 845)

An Outline of the Faith
commonly called the Catechism

Human Nature

Q What are we by nature?

A We are part of God's creation, made in the image of God.

Q What does it mean to be created in the image of God?

A It means that we are free to make choices: to love, to create, to
reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.

Q Why then do we live apart from God and out of harmony with
creation?

A From the beginning, human beings have misused their freedom and
made wrong choices.

Q Why do we not use our freedom as we should?

A Because we rebel against God, and we put ourselves in the place of
God.

Q What help is there for us?

A Our help is in God.

Q How did God first help us?

A God first helped us by revealing himself and his will, through
nature and history, through many seers and saints, and especially the
prophets of Israel.