Jason Cottrell

2015
Perspectives Paper
In light of humanitys state of living in a world of evil, the two ways of responding to this
pervasive force has deep ramifications because the corresponding actions worldviews affects our
lifestyle. When Nathanial Hawthornes character, Young Goodman Brown experiences evil for
the first time as all humans do, this knowledge alters his worldview which creates a fear of evil.
The other way of responding towards evil is shown in King Davids writing in which he
expresses that evil should not be feared because it is not the most powerful force in the world. In
both worldviews however, there is agreement towards the pervasiveness of wickedness but in
responding to evil there is deviation because each worldview ultimately pivots on the question of
who we worship. Although the illumination of universal fear and the impending guilt as a result
of known depravity is seen in the shared worldviews of Brown and David, the healing power of
Gods marvelous grace is only evidenced in Davids life as a result of his righteous fear which
propels him towards complete restoration in Christ which gives him hope.
David and Browns worldviews are similar in that they both feel the pull towards evil as a
result of a sinful nature. The contact with evil that Brown experiences is seen in his
determination for wanting to follow his depraved heart which yearns for his present evil
purpose of journeying into the evil abyss of the forest, despite his innocent knowledge of evil.
In the same way also, David expresses his evil desires for what is wrong by speaking about how
blessed a man is when no deceit is found within him. Upon reflecting on mans deep want for
sin both David and Brown express their failures in restraining from the initial pull that evil
provides and thus they experience the consequence of falling into wickedness. In this way, they
acknowledge that they are ridden with fear which comes from being convicted of personal
depravity that has its roots in evil. Browns acknowledgement of evil is seen when it says that he
became a darkly meditative, a distrustful, if not a desperate man as a result of his confrontation
with evils pervasiveness. In a similar way, David voices his hopelessness created by evil by
admitting that fear is created by evil. However, although they both experience fear as a result of
sinning, Davids fear is not a result of fearing evil itself, but rather fearing the perfect and holy
God who he has sinned against.
As a result of fearing the influence and consequence that flow from participating in evil,
there is guilt and shame wrapped up in both David and Browns lives. Even though this shame
stems from different worldviews, they both experience it but suppress it in different ways. Brown
says that becoming partakers of the mystery of sin has made him more conscious of [his]
guilt. In light of this, it is understandable that when he heard a traveler on the road he deemed
it advisable to conceal himself within the verge of the forest, conscious of the guilty purpose that
had brought him thither. The significance of the forest throughout Hawthornes story is that it
represents the very nature of evil. As Brown travels deeper into the forest, his knowledge of
human depravity is continually being understood to a better degree and by trying to hide within
the confines of the forest, Brown displays that he copes with guilt by hiding within evil itself.
Contrary to Brown, David displays a different worldview by saying that those who look to

Godare never covered with shame. Although both of their worldviews show commonality of
being guilty and shameful for participating in evil, Davids worldview is different from Browns
because he believes that God is to be feared far more than evil itself. By believing this, David is
not only delivered from all his fears, but his shame is covered with the hope in knowing there
is restoration from God.
Although both Brown and David agree on universal depravity, which is the fear of evil
and the impending result of guilt, their worldviews are influenced primarily by where they place
their hope. Browns life is an example of fearing evil itself and thus, despite his relationship with
Faith who is only goodness to him, he lives a life of bitterness and hopelessness and as a result of
living so infatuated with fear, he is eventually borne to his grave a hoary corpse, and his
dying hour was gloom. This means that he feared evil so much as to prohibit him from
experiencing any hope. Davids worldview is far different because he has hope despite the same
circumstances of living in a world of wickedness, and the guilt of knowing individual depravity.
However, despite the differences of worldviews, they share a common struggle in dealing with
the problem of evil as well as what to fear, how to deal with guilt and the important question on
where hope is found, yet they each respond in different ways.
The important biblical truths that are illuminated is that there is a search for hope
when confronted with personal depravity which is only satisfied in righteously fearing God.
Although both men longed to be healed, Browns solution was futile because he relied on himself
as the source of hope instead of God as David had done. It is true that everyone lives in constant
fear, however, the choice of who to fear is important and Davids famous words, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, rings true
because only through righteous fear in God is hope found in a world full of brokenness. Instead
of continuing to live with the shame created by sin as Brown had, David lived a life of fearing
God which is only a benefit because God is the one who has our best interest in mind. God is
sovereign therefore he does not seek to exploit us for worship. Rather, it is the devil himself who
steals worship that God deserves by casting fear into peoples lives which makes him
intimidating. Although Brown feared evil which is understandable, his worldview was lacking in
that he did not fear the one true God who is able to deliver anyone from the clutches of evil.
Only through God is hope restored in a persons life, even when surrounded by brokenness and
the wickedness of this world.