What is Man?

Genesis 1:27–28 ESV

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God did not create us because he was lacking or needing anything. He wasn’t lonely, nor did he need someone or something to bring him praise or give him glory. But he still chose to create us, and we do bring him glory. In Isaiah 43:7, God says, “Everyone who is called by my name … I created for my glory.”

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Why Did God Create Man?

For His Glory

Living for His glory brings our lives purpose and meaning.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

How do we try and find that apart from Him?

Fullness of joy is found in knowing God and delighting in him.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

In His Image

If all the Bible told us about ourselves is that we were created for God’s glory, this would be a wonderful thing, but it wouldn’t really distinguish us much from the rest of creation. For, “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). Part of our uniqueness, however, comes from the fact that we are the only part of God’s creation made “in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27).

Genesis 1:27 ESV

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

As creatures made in God’s image, we were made to be like him. Therefore the more we understand about God, the more we understand about ourselves. And the more we understand about ourselves, the more we understand about God.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

For example, we are moral creatures, created with an innate sense of right and wrong. This is a reflection of God’s perfect sense of right and wrong. In addition, we are not merely physical creatures; we are also spiritual creatures, which means we are somewhat like God, who is spirit. Our spirit is a reflection of God’s nature and allows us to relate to him personally. To take another example, our ability to think about and process information is a reflection of God’s knowledge. And our ability to relate to others, as well as our desire for community, is a reflection of God’s perfect community within the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have forever related to each other perfectly.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Opening Up Genesis In the Image of God He Created Them

Observe the distinct traits of humanity that Genesis 1 and 2 set forth.

Dignity

If man is created “in the image of God,” no one has the right to degrade or destroy human life—neither one’s own life, nor that of another. This principle must be applied in the areas of social justice, race relations, sexual ethics, abortion, euthanasia, and a whole host of other topics.

Dominion

We are to “rule over” the other created beings (1:26) and “subdue” the earth (1:28). Man has been given dominion over both herbage (2:15) and animals (2:20). Human beings have the God-given authority to chop down trees, build buildings, domesticate animals, and eat meat. Human beings also have the responsibility to do those things responsibly.

Distinction

“Male and female He created them” (1:27). Genesis 2 highlights this difference by giving the genders separate names (2:23), showing how they were created separately (2:7, 22), and calling one a “helper” for the other (2:18). Man and woman were created equal “in the image of God,” but their roles are clearly distinct.

Duty

Notice that the first thing God did after creating Adam and Eve was to bless them and give them a command: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it” (1:28). The relationship between God and man was not one between equals. Nor was it one of autonomy. Man is dependent upon God for the blessings of life and sustenance; and man is accountable to God in the areas of service and obedience! Further, God’s command concerning the tree (2:16–17) makes it clear that man was and is capable of receiving and understanding moral instruction—and is responsible for his obedience. If we disobey God, we “will surely die” (2:17).

Because of sin, God’s image in us is partly distorted.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

For example, sin distorts our moral judgment, clouds our thinking, and hinders our fellowship with others.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

The good news is that God’s image is being restored. God redeems his children through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that they can be “conformed to the image of his Son”, who is the “image of the invisible God”.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Colossians 1:15 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 3:10 ESV

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

In Jesus we see God’s likeness as it was intended to be. And because of Jesus, we will eventually be changed to reflect God’s image as we were intended to do.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Responsibilities

As creatures made in God’s image, we were also made to be his representatives on the earth.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

How many of us recognize that if someone was to go out tonight wearing a Fairlawn t-shirt, get drunk and hit someone, that would reflect badly on all of us?

God has, through us, placed images of himself across his world. This is why he commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28).

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

This is more than just physically reproducing ourselves. It is also spiritually reproducing ourselves.

When God commanded Adam and Eve to “subdue” the earth and “have dominion over … every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28), he did so as a king telling his representatives to care for his kingdom in a way that honored him.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

We have the awesome responsibility to help restore his people and his land to the way they were meant to be. We get the opportunity to work alongside the king who is “making all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Therefore, we have great hope and respect for all people—regardless of their state. They, like us, are the culmination of God’s infinitely wise and skillful creation. They have the potential to return to the beauty of Jesus Christ, the “image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15), by turning away from their sin and turning to their Creator.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Questions for Review and Application

1. Why were we created? What are some specific examples of ways we can fulfill the purpose we were created for?

2. What does it mean to be created in God’s image? How does that affect your view of yourself?

3. What are our responsibilities as God’s image bearers? What are some ways you and your church can fulfill those responsibilities?

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.