For a number of reasons, biblical anthropology can be a difficult subject to study. Many other doctrines are dependent on a right understanding of who we are as human beings (e.g. issues of sin, incarnation, etc). Because men are made in the image of God, what we posit about them also reflects (or contrasts) the nature of God (cf. Jas. 3:9-10). We also have a vested interest in being accurate in our anthropology because it describes us—whatever we conclude about human beings we are concluding about ourselves!
The question is, then, does the Bible present a low or a high view of mankind?
Some scholars want to argue that the Bible presents a very low view of man because humans are described as morally debased. Certainly there are stories and didactic passages that seem to present human nature as a stew of evil desires—but is it fair to say that that is the only way that men are described?
Other writers argue that the Bible has a very high presentation of humans because they are made in the image of God and because they are the focus of His redemptive efforts. Even a quick perusal through the Bible yields information about men who walked with God (Gen. 5:22-24), who honored Him in incredible ways (Gen. 22:1-18), who sought after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). So it seems that there are both favorable and unfavorable presentations of human beings in the Bible.
But the question remains unanswered—is this a high or a low view of humanity?
I will argue that the Bible has a very high view of mankind—even though humans are presented as morally depraved. There are a number of indications of this truth.
First, humans are presented as being made in the image of God. In fact, the entire creation account presents humans as very important and highly blessed creatures. Out of all creation, only humans are made by God in His own image (Gen. 1:26-27). After each 24-hour period of creation, God decreed that what He made was good, but after the creation of humans God says that His creation is “very good” (Gen. 1:31). In addition, all other creation was placed under the care and dominion of humankind (Gen. 1:28). This is a very positive view of humanity.
Second, Jesus Christ Himself took on human flesh—even being born of a woman (John 1:14, Gal. 4:4). While this was an act of condescension (Phil. 2:5-7), it nevertheless demonstrates that there is nothing innately sinful about being a human. That is to say, sin is not integral to the ‘structure’ of every human being—even Adam and Eve lived without sin for a time. In any case, Christ’s incarnation revealed the gracious yet high value God placed on His children. This high value is not placed on all of His creatures who fell (cf. Heb. 2:14-18, esp. v.16).
Third, and related to point number 2, the very act of gracious redemption shows that humans are presented as important. Only the death of the Son of God could pay for the sins of God’s children (Eph. 2:13-16; Heb. 10:4/10-14), yet God sent Him to die for them. Christians are the object of God’s eternal kindness (Eph. 2:7) and His beneficence to them is demonstrated incontrovertibly by the death of Christ on their behalf (Rom. 8:32). It is in the realm of humanity that God’s glorious plan of salvation is worked out. This explains the righteous deeds of saved individuals—God was at work in them (Phil. 2:12-13, Heb. 13:21). In mankind, the powerful Spirit of God can display the glorious grace of God by causing otherwise rotten sinners (Rom. 3:9-18, 8:5-8; John 15:4-5) to bear the fruit or righteousness, thereby glorifying God (Phil. 1:11).
All these demonstrate that the Bible presents a very high view of man, but there is more to be said on the matter. Tune in next time!
--Dean of Admissions
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