What
Is Man? *
The answers to many of our "important questions" depend on the answer
to this question: What is man? What is the human being?
Different
Concepts of Man
Religion/Philosophy
| The
Human Being
| Life
Pattern | Naturalism
| A
highly evolved animal, resulting from purely naturalistic causes (random mutation
and natural selection) since there is no Creator/Designer God. | Naturalism
Linear unto physical death, followed by nonexistence.
| Hinduism
| Consists
of the "real man" or conscious, immortal soul (Atman) joined with the
physical body. The Atman is continuous with the Ultimate Reality (Brahman); thus
divine.
| Cyclical
until liberated. At physical death, the soul transmigrates to another physical
body to be reborn (reincarnated). Final liberation results in indistinguishable
union with Brahman (the "Universal Soul") | Buddhism
| Comprised
of five aggregates (material form, feeling, perception, volition, consciousness).
There is no permanent entity (true soul, self or ego). Mahayana Buddhism speaks
of the personhood of man relative to the divine Buddha.
| Cyclical
until liberated. At physical death, reincarnated (disassembling & reassembling
of the aggregates rather than transmigration of a continuous soul). Liberation
results in realization of nonexistence, though Mahayana Buddhism speaks of continued
existence in a sort of heaven (Buddha land or Pure land). | Islam
| A
special creation of God (thus distinct from God). Made to be a servant or slave
of God (Allah), and to represent him. Basically good. | Linear
unto physical death, followed by "life after death" in either paradise
or hell. | Christianity
| A
special creation of God (thus distinct from God). Made to know and glorify God.
A unity of body and spirit. Created good, but has become basically bad (compared
to God's holy standard). | Linear
unto physical death, followed by "life after death" in either heaven
or hell."man is destined to die once, and after that face judgment"
(Hebrews 9:27) |
The
Origin of Mankind
*
Our view of man is dependent on our view of mankind's origin. Read Genesis
1:26-28, 2:7. 1.
According to the Bible, what is the origin of man?
2.
How is man different from the other living creatures?
§
Man (male and female) is made in the ________________ of ___________. §
Man is made ___________________ over the earth.
*
Among all living creatures on earth, only man has the capacity for relationship
with God. Man is unique in his/her moral consciousness and responsibility. See
footnote 6. The
Constitution of Man
*
In the Christian worldview, human nature is made up of both the material and non-material
- the body and the soul/spirit. The soul/spirit continues to exist after the physical
body dies. However, since human beings are bodily creatures, the soul/spirit and
body are reunited in a future resurrection at the time of Christ's second coming,
prior to the final judgment. The
Significance of Mankind
*
While humans are a very small part of God's creation (physically), they are significant!
Read Psalm 8:3-6.
The Purpose of Mankind
*
God is the Designer and Creator of man. Thus God is the Purpose-Giver for mankind 3.
While the Bible says, "God created man," many people say that God does
not exist. Instead, human beings "evolved" from more simplistic life
forms (ultimately from non-living chemicals) through purely naturalistic processes.
Does this make any difference concerning meaning, purpose, and significance? Explain.
*
After creating
the first humans, God assigned them particular roles and responsibilities. ¶
"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number;
fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the
air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28,
NIV; cp. 1:26).
¶
"The LORD God took [Adam] and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and
take care of it" (Genesis 2:15, NIV).
*
God told the first humans to reproduce, inhabit the earth, and rule over it. They
were given the responsibility of managing and using the resources of the earth
to accomplish God's good purposes. Today, mankind still has that responsibility.
But there is more!
*
God created humans as relational beings - for relationship with God, and relationship
with others. God created human beings "in his own image" to reflect
him. ¶
"From one man [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the
whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where
they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out
for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:26-27,
NIV).
¶
Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39,
NIV).
¶
"whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)
4. God
created humans to know him and reflect him. How should this affect our sense of
purpose, values, ambitions and goals? What kinds of things should we be doing?
"What
is the chief and highest end of man?
Man's
chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever"
(Westminster Larger Catechism) The
Failure of Mankind
*
After God created the first man and woman, "God saw all that he had made,
and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). However, it is obvious that our world
today is not "very good." ¶
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created
things rather than the Creator" (Romans 1:25, NIV).
& "for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
*
Because of sin, man's relationship with God has been broken, and the image of
God in man has been severely damaged. Thus man needs restoration and renewal.
Man needs salvation. How can we be restored and renewed? How can we be saved?
These are important questions that will be addressed in future lessons. Reflection/Application
†
How would you answer the questions "What is man?" and "What is
mankind's significance (meaning, importance)?" What is the basis for your
answers? Compare your answers to the Bible's answers. Are you truly satisfied
with your answers? Why or why not?
†
Christian, do you daily consider your purpose and role as God's image-bearer?
What changes are needed in your life to better reflect God in a world that desperately
needs to know Him? | 
