“Doctrinal Statement on Anthropology”

Pastor John – 2023 

My Doctrinal Statement on Anthropology

I. The origin of humanity

I believe that God created the physical and spiritual universe out of nothing (Gen. 1:11; Ps. 33:6; John 1:3; Rom. 4:17; 1 Cor. 1:28) and it was Jesus Christ (Col. 1:15) who created all things (Col. 1:16-17; Isa. 44:24). In the creation account (Gen. 1:1-31) we find out about the origin of humanity, with Adam and Eve as real people, whom God created in His own image (imago dei).  (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-23). Mankind is different from the other creations, such as animals. Any other account or explanation, such as evolution theories – must be denied.

II. The nature of humanity

I believe that God created humanity as having a unique nature. Man was originally made pure without sin (Gen. 11:7). Hereby, Adam is a unified person, having a body and soul living and acting together. As such, the nature of mankind is manifested in a material and nonmaterial part. The former relates to the body structure (Gen. 2:7) and its return to dust from which it originates, after death (Gen. 3:19; Ps. 104:29; Eccl. 12:7). The latter relates to the nonmaterial parts, as attributes of imago dei. Thereby, man has a personality, is self-conscious, has free will to exercise domain over the world (Gen. 1:28) and to develop the earth (Gen. 2:15). Likewise, man is a spiritual being (Ps. 19:1-6; 1 Thess. 5:23-28) and there is a necessary connection between body and soul. Lastly, man has a moral nature (Gen. 1:26) – which, while lost through the fall, is restored in Christ (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10). 

III. Humanity’s relation to God

I believe that humanity has a relation to God. While all creation to some degree is a reflection of who God is (Ps. 19:1-6), due to imago dei, mankind is unique in that He created us to have a personal relationship with Him (Isa. 57:15; Acts 17:27-28). In fact, He desires an intimate relationship with us more than we do, which is beyond our understanding (Gen. 1:26-27; Exod. 3:14-15; Eph. 1:11). That is why – after and despite the fall – He sent Christ to redeem us (John 3:16-21). Among the principles of how God relates to us, there are different ways He does so, e.g. through covenants (Gen. 1:28-30; 2:16-17; Jer. 31:33; Rom. 6:23, 10:5; 2 Cor. 6:16; Gal. 3:12; 1 Peter 2:22). His agape love is so unfathomably deep, that after man failed to keep the covenants, God in His mercy provided the covenant of redemption (John 17:2, 6; 3:16; Acts 1:4; Rom. 5:18-19; Heb. 10:5) and provided the covenant of grace (Rom. 1:17; 4:1-15; James 2:17; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; 1 John 2:4-6). Both covenants are beyond our human relationship with God – in that there is nothing we can do, in our own strength and our own merit, but to freely accept this God-given gift through faith alone in Christ alone.

IV. The origin and the role of human gender

I believe that in creating mankind we understand the origin and role of human gender (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-23). Thus, from the beginning God made man as male and female, fully equal in their value and their humanity (Gen. 9:6), but different in their respective roles and functions (1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:13). Both have distinct roles, such as federal headship (Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 11:3), God making Eve as a helper for Adam (Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9), Adam naming Eve (Gen. 2:23) – indicating a leadership role. Similarly, God speaks to Adam first before Eve was created (Gen. 2:15-17), and, after both had sinned (Gen. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:14). As such, Adam is representative of the human race, having received a leadership role, in contrast to Eve (Rom. 5:15; 1 Cor. 15:22). This emphasizes fundamentally different divinely established functions and roles of human gender.

V. The fall of humanity

I believe that the fall of humanity happened when Adam and Eve gave into temptation – rebelling against God – by eating the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:1-13) resulting in devastating consequences (Rom. 5:12-21). The fall of humanity is a historical event, confirmed by Christ (Matt. 19:3-5).

VI. The presence and the consequences of sin

I believe that while we may not know everything about sin, e.g. how it entered Eden, Scripture provides us with everything we need to know, about the presence and consequences of sin. After the fall, sin and its presence, resulted in judgment on the serpent (Gen. 3:14), judgment on Satan (Gen. 3:15), judgment on the woman (Gen. 3:16), judgment on the man (Gen. 3:17-19), the entire human race (Rom. 5:12), creation (Gen. 3:17-18) and people longing for restoration (Rom. 8:19-21).

Among the far-reaching consequences of sin, are death and separation from God’s presence (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 6:23), along with the presently ongoing transference of the sin nature to all of us and our children – we are born sinners (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 12:21; 1 Cor. 15:22), the inability to do God’s will (Rom. 6:16; 7:14) and becoming subject to the curse of the Law and death (Deut. 27:26; Rom. 6:23).

Also, after death and before the resurrection – in the intermediate state – as believers we are with the Lord (Phil. 1:21-23). At the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) Christ will judge all mankind, both believers and unbelievers. Yet, at the propitiation of Calvary, God not only demonstrates His perfect righteousness, but also His power and final destruction of sin, that is eternally removed from all who have faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26). Amen.