Untitled Sermon (37)

Theology Module

Anthropology & Hamartiology

Man’s Nature and Constitution

Man as Image Bearer: Genesis 1:26-30

            Image: “copy” or “representation”

            Likeness: “pattern” or “Shape” or “Form”

What does John 4:24 say about God’s Nature?

            He is Spirit – Not Physical Form

How then is Man Reflective of His nature?

            Substantive: Common Nature

            Functional: Common Role

Relational: Common Relational Capacity

Substantive with Function and Relational Aspect flowing from that reality.

Ontological – Living, Personal, Self-Conscious, and Personality. Complex Unity of Soul/Spirit/Body

Volitional – Has will, Desire, and ability to choose right and wrong, wanted and unwanted.

Intellectual – Has a mind able to reason, aware of himself, his environment, others and God.

Emotional – Experiences intrinsically happiness, joy, regret guilt, shame, anger and fear.

Relational – Able to participate in personal relationships with others and God – To know, share, value, and reciprocate personhood.

Functional – Ability, desire, and need to fulfill purpose, role, and place in the created order.

Note: Jesus is the fullness of the image of God ‘In-Fleshed’  (1 Cor. 15:45, Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3)

Man’s Constitution - Body, Spirit, Soul, Conscience

                See Handout Sheet

 How Many Parts Do I Have? Body, Soul, Sprit, Mind, Heart, etc

                Matthew 10:28                 >Body and Soul

                Ephesians 2:5                     >Spiritual Death and Life

                Romans 8:23                      >Physical Redemption

                Philippians 3:20-21         >Bodies Transformed

Implications of Man’s created Nature:

                >All human beings equal in personhood and value

                Genders, Races, Ages.    Gen. 1:27 and Acts 17:26

                >All people retain the ‘Image of God’ after the Fall.

                                                                Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9

                >Mankind enabled to rule and manage God’s Creation

                Manager-Regents           Genesis 1:26, 28; Heb. 2:5-9