The Deadliest Monster

If you are interested in looking more in depth at the nature of man and worldviews, I would recommend you check out The Deadliest Monster by J.F. Baldwin.


It's a really good book; I've gotten my information for my lost few posts from this book. Mr. Baldwin does an excellent exploring the subject and explains it well. He drives into other worldviews and how the view of the nature of man affects us.


In June, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Baldwin and hearing him speak at Worldview Academy. He is a brilliant man. I would highly recommend reading it.

Product Description

What kind of a monster are you? Mr. Hyde? Frankenstein? The answer forms the foundation of your "worldview," says Baldwin, in this thought-provoking discussion about the nature of man. He explores a wide range of assumptions about God, truth, morality, psychology, and politics---and offers a systematic catalog of the ways in which the Christian perspective best matches reality. Ages 14 and up. 272 pages, softcover from Fishermen.

Order the book at Christianbooks.com

What Kind of Monster are you?

Ok, so you may be wounding why we’ve been talking about these two old books. So what, you might say. Who cares about books written in the 1880s? Well, the reason I brought up the story of Hyde and Frankenstein is because one of these stories is true.

Which story do you think it is? Which monster describes mankind? It can’t be both. Let’s look at the fundamental differences between the two:

Hyde

• Man is inherently evil
• Evil (sin) controls us and leads to death
• Individual is responsible for his wrong actions
• Man can’t save himself

Frankenstein

• Man is basically good
• Society turns him evil, and therefore is responsible for his wrong actions
• Man can save himself

As you can see, both monsters can’t be true. So, what kind of monster are you? Comment your answer.

The Story of Frankenstein

Dr. Victor Frankenstein, like Dr. Henry Jekyll, was a great scientist. He began collecting parts of various corpses, sewed them together, and gave them the spark of life. The monster is large and so horrible, that Frankenstein flees. Victor doesn’t see the monster again for years.

The peaceful time is shattered when Victory’s little brother is murdered. All though a family friend is accused, Victory believes that his monster is responsible.

During a trip in the mountains, Victor meets his monster. In his defense, the monster tells his story; wherever he turned, he found hatred of men. He thought it was because he couldn’t communicate, so he taught himself to read and write. He also preformed good deeds. He wanted to prove that he was good, pure, and, worth of friendship. He claimed,“

"For a long time I could not conceive how one man could go forth and murder his fellow, or even why there were laws and government.”

The innocence didn’t last. Men still hated him and, while saving woman from drowning, he was shot in the shoulder by her fiancé. This is the last straw, and the monster vows vengeance to all mankind.

“I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I will again be virtuous.”

The monster begs Victor to make him a companion that would love him. When Victor refuses, the monster swears to kill Victor’s fiancé, which he does. Victor sets out to kill the monster and tracks him up into the frozen arctic. Both Victor and the monster freeze.