(Humanity) Flashcards
List and describe the contending theories for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
There are 5 theories for human beginnings which are:
(1) Naturalistic Evolution
(2) Fiat Creationism
(3) Deistic Evolution
(4) Theistic Evolution
(5) Progressive Creationism
Describe the contending theory of Naturalistic Evolution for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
Naturalistic Evolution - Aims to account for the human species, along with all other life forms, without having to appeal to a supernatural explanation. This view believes that everything exists was fashioned through the combination of atoms, motion, time, chance and natural selection.
Describe the contending theory of Fiat Creationism for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
Fiat Creationism – Believes that God, by a direct act, brought into being, virtually instantaneously, everything that is. This views sees the creation of the world occurring within a week’s period. It also affirms that God produced the world and everything in it, not by the use of indirect means or biological mechanisms but by direct contact and action. This view is derived from a literal reading and understanding of the biblical account of creation.
Describe the contending theory of Deistic Evolution for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
Deistic Evolution – Is the best way to describe one variety of what is generally called Theistic Evolution. According to this view, God is the creator and the ultimate cause of creation but he used evolution as the means to bring it to fruition. Deistic evolution is identical to naturalistic evolution except for the difference in their view of the very beginning of matter.
Describe the contending theory of Theistic Evolution for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
Theistic Evolution – According to this view, God created the first human being but in doing so utilized an existing creature. God created a human soul, and infused it with a higher primate, transforming the creature into the first human. Thus, while God specifically created Adam’s spiritual nature, his physical nature was the product of a process of evolution.
Describe the contending theory of Progressive Creationism for human beginnings cited by Erickson.
Progressive Creationism – According to this belief, God at several points, rather widely separated in time, created de novo. Between these special acts of creation, development took place through evolution. This concept is best described as an “intrakind” development.
Name and describe the three explanations for the “Imago Dei”.
(1) The Substantive View – The image consists of certain identifiable characteristics.
(2) The Relational View – The image doesn’t consist of something inherent or intrinsic but relational.
(3) The Functional View – The image is not something humans have but something they do.
Describe the Substantive View for the “Imago Dei”
The Substantive View – The image consists of certain identifiable characteristics. The common element in the several different varieties of this view is that the image is identified as some definite characteristic or quality within the makeup of human nature, namely some psychological or spiritual quality, especially reason.
Describe the Relational View for the “Imago Dei”
The Relational View – The image doesn’t consist of something inherent or intrinsic but relational. Many modern theologians don’t conceive the image of God as something resident within human nature. They think of the image of God as the experiencing of a relationship. Humans can be said to be in the image or to display the image when standing in a particular relationship, which indeed is the image.
Describe the Functional View for the “Imago Dei”
The Functional View – The image is not something humans have but something they do. It is a human function, most frequently mentioned as being the dominion exercised over the creation.
What is the Genius and Character of the “Biblical Synthesis” for the Doctrine of Humanity as presented by Rheinhold Niebuhr in his book The Nature and Destiny of Man?
According to Reinhold Niebuhr Biblical faith has given us the richest and most satisfying answer in saying that we are both Idealistic and Naturalistic. We are Idealism because humanity is ultimately mind, and we are Naturalism because humanity is ultimately matter. We are simultaneously both a part of creation and more than it. We arise from the dust but we are bound for glory. The Biblical Synthesis is The Imago Dei; humanity is both part of creation and yet uniquely bears the image of its creator.
List and discuss the implications of the Biblical doctrine of humanity cited by Erickson
There are 9 implications:
(1) Human life belongs to God.
(2) Human life should be patterened after Jesus, the complete revelation of the image of God.
(3) We experience full humanity only when we are properly related to the Triune God.
(4) Learning and work are good.
(5) Humanity is intrinsically valuable.
(6) The image is universal in humankind
(7) The image of God was not lost as a consequence of the fall
(8) There is no indication that the image is present in one person to a greater extent than another
(9) Human life is sacred at each end of the spectrum
Discuss the implications of the Biblical doctrine; Human life belongs to God
Human life belongs to God. – While the fact that we are in the image of God means that some of his attributes belong to us, it is a greater reminder that we belong to him.
Discuss the implications of the Biblical doctrine; Human life should be patterned after Jesus, the complete revelation of the image of God.
Human life should be patterned after Jesus, the complete revelation of the image of God. – Jesus Christ is the full of image of God and the one person whose humanity was never spoiled by sin.
Discuss the implications of the Biblical doctrine; We experience full humanity only when we are properly related to the Triune God.
We experience full humanity only when we are properly related to the Triune God. – No matter how cultured, genteel or intelligent, no one is fully human unless they are a redeemed disciple of God.
