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