Framing the Purpose: Theological Anthropology

In Genesis we read that humanity is created in the “Imago Dei” (image of God). Yet we are also a part of the created order. The created order of animals, insects, trees, birds, oceans, mountains, sunsets, you get the idea. We are a part of that but we are also set apart by the “Imago Dei”. Over hundreds of years many Christians have speculated as to what is the “Imago Dei”, everything from reason to humor has been suggested. If anything I suppose the “Imago Dei” is everything that gives us the ability to rule over creation (Gen. 1:26). We have the ability to contemplate. We can look at a tree and see a house, which is pretty fascinating if you think about it. Dogs look at a tree and then pee on it. So we are created in the image of God and we are created beings. Ernst Becker wrote a book several years ago entitled, “The Denial of Death” in which he proposes the central controlling influence in a persons life is the fear of death, whether realized or not (a superb read, I highly recommend it). So a major observation related to theological anthropology is the fact that the created order dies but can not contemplate it; God can contemplate it but does not die; humanity on the other hand dies and has the ability to contemplate his own demise. A vexing position we are in. This ability to contemplate our own demise (something I’m told I will do when I reach my 40’s) creates within us anxiety. Anxiety creates fear. Fear creates insecurity. Thus anxiety compels us, rather than trust God for our security, we seek to become the source of our own security. This is where sin comes into play. From one perspective there are two types of sin: 1. The image of god sins and 2. The created order sins.

First the created order sins are characterized by instant gratification, giving into animalistic desires, lustful greed and impulses. This is where you get your “Jack the ripper. Then there are the image of god sins, and by that I mean we seek to become like God. Genesis 3:4-5 the serpent assures Eve that she will not die, but rather will be like God, and she grasps the opportunity to be god. Thus the appeal of money and power, knowledge, religion. Here you will find your Hitlers. See the difference? Humanity is lost is this struggle between the desire to be like God and the desire to fulfill animalistic tendencies.

In steps Jesus, “who being in very nature “God”, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” Jesus shows us what it means to be TRULY HUMAN, ultimately expressed in the Garden of Gethsemane when he says, “Not MY WILL, BUT YOURS.”

This is the predicament and the solution of all humanity. This is what I see when I see homeless people. For that matter this is what I see when I see rich people. In my opinion your theological anthropology is drastically important to flesh out when dealing with the…anybody really, because it frames how you approach them and how you proceed. Which I hope to unpack more of in my next post.

for a more indepth study I recommend:

Rienhold Niebuhr's 1. "The Nature and Destiny of Man" 2. "Moral Man and Immoral Society"

Blessings

Terry teaches me

Another week and seems that so much has happened. I have made contact with Caritas of Austin. It is a non-profit organization for the poor. I’m asking them questions and it seems like they have a lot of good answers. They definitely have a lot more time and experience than I do. I met Jo Kathleen who is head of a housing initiative for poor and homeless. She was great to talk to and very knowledgeable. She told me that they provide housing for chronic homelessness, which is anyone who has been homeless for more than a year and has a disability. That is Terry. I was so excited. I could wait to bring Terry the good news that we could get him off the street and into a warm bed. However, when I mentioned Caritas he wasn’t as excited. For whatever reason, all of them have a bad opinion about Caritas. I need to bring this up with Jo. My guys tell me that Caritas really isn’t interested in helping. Whether that is true or not (I’m inclined to think that it is partially true, I have a bad opinion of social workers myself) is not the point. The point is that for whatever reason Caritas, much like the modern church, has a bad reputation which hinders their ability to care for the poor. In my opinion the onus of responsibility is on Caritas, and the church, to push past the reputation and prove through action that they are here to help. This is what I intend to bring up with Jo tomorrow.

On another note, I took the guys a loaf of bread and some sandwich meat. Lisa and I also got Terry some thick warm socks and a new pair of shoes. Well, it turns out the shoes are too small, but he was so touched by the gesture. We began to talk about the gospel, and that was good for both of us. I was so moved by is optimism about how God continues to bless him. My guess is, I’m going to learn a lot about God from Terry. Perhaps more than I will from my books. Ha.

Lets Get Talking

Thursday,

So I decided Thursday to take “the guys” McDonalds and start asking questions. As we were sitting down I said, “Ok, I want something today…I want you to start by telling me your story.” They were hesitant obviously. I had to pry with questions like:

1. Where were you born?
2. What were your parents like?
3. What happened next?
4. Did you finish school

They were slow to reveal, and I’m confident that there is a lot more there.

Then I told them why I was here. I told that my belief in Jesus is that he would be doing the same thing. They agreed. Then I told them that there were a lot of people who were questioning me (in my work and in the church) about why I would do this saying, “They are homeless because they choose to be.” Wow…that was a hot button. Conversation became real easy after that. They have plenty of insight and opinions on the subject it was very insightful. Then I told “the guys” that I was researching homelessness in Austin and found that there are a bunch of organizations and church who have a specific goal to tend to the homeless, so my question was, “With all this money being thrown around, why are there still homeless people in Austin?” This was another BIG conversation starter which they had plenty to say about.

My goal today is to go back and clarify their perspective on the two above questions. Everything happened so fast and got a little emotional, that I really didn’t even catch it all. What is more, if they were in charge of the money, how would they spend it to help homeless people? I have a feeling that this will be great. Maybe.

Well I say maybe, because the next day, Friday, I went back to talk “the guys” and bring them Pizza but Mac “was up” and she told me that Terry Allen had caught the bus to the hospital for a staff infection. I am eager to find out today how he is doing and if he made it back or not.