Lecture 16: What Christians Believe about Humanity

Question 1

Humanity was Create by God

Answer 1

The Creator/Creature distinction
- there is an infinite qualitative distinction between God the Creator and his creation
- this distinction needs to be maintained if we are going to have an accurate understanding of God, and of humanity
- This distinction expresses the limitations of humanity
God’s creation is Good
- Humanity is elevated to the highest place in creation
- Humanity was created for a purpose

Question 2

Created in The Image of God

Answer 2

• To be human is to bear the image of God
• Humanity is supposed to represent God to the rest of creation
• What is the original image of God? Jesus is the original image of God

Question 3

Humanity has Fallen into Sin

Answer 3

• In the Fall, human nature has been corrupted by sin, as the image of God in humanity has been distorted
• Sin: self-willfulness against God

Question 4

Original Sin: Irenaean Original Sin

Answer 4

Humanity inherits a sinful nature as a result of the first sin of Adam and Eve

Question 5

Original Sin: Pelagianism

Answer 5

sin and death enter the world, but human nature is not corrupted by Adam and Eve’s sin

Question 6

Original Sin: Augustinian Original Sin

Answer 6

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, humanity inherits both a sinful nature and their guilty status

Question 7

Jesus Came to Redeem Humanity

Answer 7

Jesus’ redeeming work restores the image of God in humanity, and repairs our sinful nature

Question 8

Original Sin, Free Will, and Salvation: Pelagianism

Answer 8

human nature has not been hindered by the Fall, so humans can turn to God and earn salvation by their own efforts

Question 9

Original Sin, Free Will, and Salvation: Augustinian Original Sin

Answer 9

human nature has been so corrupted by sin that humans cannot respond to God’s call
- this means that conversion is entirely a divine process
- it also means that God arbitrarily predestines some to salvation and others to damnation

Question 10

Original Sin, Free Will, and Salvation: Irenaean Original Sin

Answer 10

human nature has been corrupted by sin, but humans are still capable of responding to God’s grace to accept salvation

Question 11

Summary

Answer 11

1. Humanity has been created in the image of God
2. Humanity has fallen, and the image of God in us has been distorted by sin
3. Jesus came to save humanity from our sin and restore the image of God in us