Systematic Theology Outline (VIII) — Anthropology

心境

Chapter 7: Anthropology (Doctrine of Man)

I. Why study humanity?

  • Biblical mandate: Ps 8:3–4; Job 7:17–18
  • Humans are made in God’s image: Gen 1:26–27; Jas 3:9
  • Humanity’s created function: Gen 1:26–28; Ps 8:5–6
  • Human redemption is the theme of Scripture: Gen 3:15 (the gospel in Eden); Matt 11:28–30; 28:19–20; Rev 14:6
  • People should understand themselves by biblical revelation: 1 Thess 5:23; Gen 2:7; Deut 6:5

II. The origin of humanity

A. Erroneous models

  1. Atheistic Evolution: Attempts to explain human origins apart from God’s special creation.
  2. Theistic Evolution: Tries to explain the origin of life through a God-mediated evolutionary process.
  3. Progressive Creationism: Holds to an evolutionary framework but claims God lends a hand at critical junctures.
  4. Deism: God created the universe and natural laws, then no longer intervenes, leaving nature to run itself.
  5. Day-Age Theory: Insists that the “days” in Genesis are not 24 hours but long periods of time.
  6. Gap Theory: Believes there is a long gap between Gen 1:1 and 1:2, with “re-creation” starting at verse 3.

B. Biblical Creationism

Scriptural support: Gen 1:1–31; 2:7; Exod 20:8–11; Ps 148:1–6; John 1:1–3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:1–3; Rev 4:11; Rom 1:20; Ps 8:3–6.
“What is man that You are mindful of him?”

Features of creationism:

  1. Humans were directly created by God — Gen 1:27; 2:7.
  2. Humans were created in God’s image — Gen 1:26.
  3. Humans possess both material and immaterial aspects — Gen 2:7.
  4. Humanity was created to act as God’s vice-regent over the earth — Gen 1:26–30.
  5. Affirms the historicity of Adam, Eve, and Eden — Gen 2:7–3:20; Rom 5:12–19; 1 Cor 15:21–22; 1 Tim 2:13–14.
  6. God created humanity male and female at the same time — Gen 1:27; 5:2.
  7. All creation came by God’s command — Gen 1:1–31; Ps 148:1–6; Heb 11:3; John 1:3.
  8. All creation was completed in six days — Gen 1:1–31.
  9. Gen 1:1 is a summary statement; Gen 1:2–31 provides the details.
  10. Creationism holds that the geological strata were formed by Noah’s flood.

Evidence for creationism:

  1. Fossils show various kinds appearing suddenly and simultaneously at certain points, not gradually evolving.
  2. The laws of thermodynamics point to a supernatural origin of the universe and humanity.
  3. The high complexity of life and the interdependence within biological chains testify to a supremely wise design.

Importance of creationism:

  1. Establishes the historicity of Genesis 1–11.
  2. Affirms the authority of the words of the Lord Jesus and the apostles: Matt 19:4–5; Mark 10:6–7; 13:19; Luke 11:49–51; Rom 1:20; 5:12–21; 1 Cor 15:20–22, 45–49; 2 Cor 11:3; Heb 11:4–5; 1 John 3:12.
  3. Upholds the inerrancy of Scripture.

III. Humanity made in the image of God

A. Major views on the “image of God”

  • Substantive View: The image consists in certain essential qualities (e.g., spirituality, eternity/immortality, personhood, original righteousness).
  • Relational View: The image is seen in relationships—between humans and God, and among humans.
  • Functional View: The image is expressed in humanity’s mandate to rule as God’s representatives over the earth.

B. Theological and practical importance of the image of God

  • Serving as God’s stewards over the earth — Gen 1:26–28
  • Christ is the image of God — 2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15
  • Goal of salvation — 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:24; Rom 8:29
  • Order in worship — 1 Cor 11:7
  • Prohibition of murder and cursing — Gen 9:6; Jas 3:9
  • Rule for Christian living — Eph 4:1–6, 20; Col 3:1–4:6

IV. God created male and female

  • Marriage and family; procreation: Gen 2:24; 1:28; Matt 19:6; Mal 2:14–16
  • Equality of men and women: Prov 31:10–31; 1 Pet 3:7; Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:7–11
  • Distinct roles and functions: Gen 2:7, 18–24; Rom 5:12
  • Mutual love and mutual submission: Eph 5:23–32

V. The constitution of the human person

  • Monism (Monistic View): The human being is an indivisible whole; there is no soul existing apart from the body.
  • Dichotomy (Dichotomous View): Humans consist of a material body and an immaterial soul/spirit — Gen 2:7; Rom 8:10; 1 Cor 5:5; 7:34; 2 Cor 7:1.
  • Trichotomy (Trichotomous View): Humans consist of spirit, soul, and body — 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 4:12; Ps 22; Isa 53 (Christ’s suffering in spirit, soul, and body); Rom 8:20.

The origin of the human soul

  1. Pre-existence View: The human soul is an angelic/spiritual entity that, because of sin, is confined within the human body.
  2. Immediate Creation View: God specially creates the soul and unites it with the body at conception — Eccl 12:7.
  3. Traducian View: Both body and soul are propagated from Adam and transmitted through the parents — Heb 7:9–10.

VI. The dignity of humanity

  • Created in God’s image, commissioned to rule the earth: Gen 1:26–27; Jas 3:9; Gen 1:28; Ps 8:3–8
  • Precious to God—He remembers, pities, protects, and saves: Ps 8:3–5; 17:8; 103:1–13; 145:14–15; Matt 6:25–34; Heb 2:16; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6; Rev 21:1–7; 22:1–5; John 3:16