Anthropology

From Theologica

Revision as of 17:36, 27 November 2007

Overview

In comparison to God (Isaiah 40:1-31), in comparison to creation (Psalm 8:3; 19:1), what is man?

Created by God

The Image of God

Of all of creation, man alone is said to be created in God's own image.

Key verses

• Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 5:1-2; 9:6
• I Corinthians 11:7
• Colossians 2:7
• James 3:9

Image vs. Likeness

Though some have attempted to make a distinction between the two words to teach two asspects of the image of God, no sharp distinction between them can be systained linguistically. Tselem means a fashioned image, a shaped and representative figure, an image in some concreate sense (2 Kings 11:18; Ezekial 23:14; Amos 5:26). Demuth refers also to the idea of similarity, but more in the abstract or ideal. By using the two words together, the biblical author "seems to be attempting to express a very difficult idea in which he wants to make clear that man is in some way the concrete reflection of God, but at the same time he wants to spiritualize this toward abstraction."

Views of the Concept

Corporeal View

- I'm a little fuzzy on this after reading Ryrie's explanation

• Takes the totality of man into account in its understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God.
  • "Strictly speaking, it includes both the material and immaterial aspects of man" (Ryrie 218)

Noncorporeal View

• Refers to the immaterial aspects of man (Moral likeness, dominion, will, intellectual facilities, freedom, etc.)

Combination View

- This is Ryrie's own view. I'm not sure if it exists outside of Ryrie. Definition: "the image of God in which man was created included the totatlity of his being as living, intelligent, determining, and moral." (Ryrie 219)

• Seeks to combine the corporeal and noncorporeal views
• takes into account gender (although it does not mention the aspect of relationship)
• Man must also be living since God is living
• Relational (at least toward God)

Roman Catholic View

• Distinguishes between image and likeness.
  • Image is the natural image that belongs to man (includes spirituality, freedom, and immortality)
  • Likeness indicates the moral image that did not belong to man as originally created but was superadded to him.

Neo-Orthodox View

• Teaches that there is a formal image that could not be lost in the Fall because it constituted man as man.
• Also teaches a material image that was lost through the fall.

My View

Overview

Form

Wherein it is discussed in what form the image of God in man takes. This discussion will center around three primary areas of interest: physicality; mentality; and spirituality.

Key Verses

Gen 1:26-28; 1:31; 2:7; 2:18; 2:21-25; 5:1-3; 9:6 Ps 139:14; 100:3 Is 43:7 Acts 17:26-28

Physical

It is undeniable that man is at least partly a physical creation: We have flesh; we recognize touch; we can alter our surroundings by our actions. What remains to be seen is whether or not the physical nature is part of what it means to be created in the image of God. God, after all, is not physical (John 4:24; I John 1:5). But does God's lack of physicality disqualify the physicality of man from being part of what it means to be God's image bearer? And if not, why not?

• • • Stopped here ***

Ryrie - Basic Theology

"Man was no afterthought, but the result of deliberate forethought on the part of the Godhead. And after God created man, He then said that everything He had made was 'very good'." (pg, 216) Four traits - 1) Includes man's body; 2) A living being; 3) Intelligent and has a will; 4) fellowship/relational/moral

Sproul - Essential Truths of the Christian Faith "We are the icons of God, creatures made with a unique capacity to mirror and reflect the character of God." (131) - Does this mean that when man makes idols, He not only takes glory away from God, but also takes glory away from what God has created, i. e. Man?

Mental

Spiritual

Function

Sproul - Essential Truths of the Christian Faith

"We are called to dress, fill, and keep the earth as God's vice-regents. Here we are called to reflect the character of God's righteous rule over the universe. He never ravages or exploints what He rules, but rather reigns in justice and kindness." (132) Ryrie - Basic Theology "However, observe that the phrase 'subdue the earth' is not part of the mandate given to Noah and his descendants (including us) after the Flood (Gen 9:1).

Ruler

Relational

Relationships

Internal Relationship

External Relationship

Gen 1:27; 2:18; 2:21-25; 5:2 Matt 19:4 James 3:9

Vertical Relationship

Lk 20:20-26 Mt 22:15-22 Mrk 12:13-17

The Fall of Man

Key Verses

Gen 1:31; 3:1ff; 5:3 Rom 5:12-21 1 Cor 15:21-22 1 Tim 2:14

Was the Image Lost?

Ryrie - Basic Theology

• "If the image concept was described correctly, then if man lost it he would no longer be a living, rational being." (220)
  • Is this true???

The Image Incarnate

Rom 8:3 2 Cor 4:4 Phil 2:5-11 Col 1:15-17 Heb 1:3

From Glory to Glory

Ps 17:15 ???; 6:5 Rom 8:29 1 Cor 15:49 2 Cor 3:18 Eph 2:10; 4:24

Bible Study

Prayer

Praise