Anthropology
From Theologica
Contents
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Overview
In comparison to God (Isaiah 40:1-31), in comparison to creation (Psalm 8:3; 19:1), what is man?
- "The fact that man is in the image of God means that man is like God and represents God." (Grudem 442)
- "The expression refers to every way in which man is like God." (Grudem 443)
- "The more we know about God and man the more similarities we will recognize, and the more fully we will understand what Scripture means when it says that man is in the image of God." (Grudem 443)
Created by God
Why Did God Create Man?
- God did not need to create us.
- God created us for His own glory. (Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 1:11-12).
- If we were created for His glory, it stands to reason that we will be most fulfilled when we fulfill what we were created for.
- "This [doctrine] guarantess that our lives are significant." (Grudem 440)
- "When we realize that God created us to glorify Him, and when we start to act in ways that fulfill that purpose, then we begin to experience an intensity of joy in the Lord that we have never before known." (Grudem 441)
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."(Ryrie 217)
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???
Communicating Man's Image
Overview
Preexistence
Creationism
Traducianism
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
