Shorter Catechism Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Commentary: My former professor of Systematic Theology told us a (fictional?) story about a young man who had been raised in a Reformed and Presbyterian home and who had been taught the Westminster Shorter Catechism. This young man, however, had fallen away from the church and had gotten himself in trouble with the law. He was hauled off to court and stood before a judge. The judge asked, “Son, what state are you from.” The young man replied, “Your Honor, I am from the estate of sin and misery.”
Why is the world the way it is? Why do people get cancer or liver disease? Why do people harm themselves and mistreat one another? Why are there devastating tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and fires? Why do people suffer in body and soul? The answer is because the fall, Adam’s rebellion against God, brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery (Rom. 3:9; 8:8; 1 John 5:19; Eccl. 8:6; Rom. 5:12). “Sin and misery” is everyone’s home [Es]State, which is why we all need Jesus. For “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”