In God's Image: A Confession About Human Nature
What does it mean to be human in the twenty-first century according to the Christian faith?
I’ve long argued that theological anthropology is the # 1 issue that Christians must wrestle with today. Whether we are talking about sexuality, gender identity, transgenderism, transhumanism, artificial intelligence, disability, or even the soul, it is all comes down to “what is a human being?”
What follows below is my Beta-Test of some ideas on theological anthropology.
Now, this is spectacularly hard and I might be spectacularly wrong, because some of these issues are very complex, they defy simplistic analyses or resolution, and they involve a combination of biology, psychology, and sociology. Or else, many theologians within the Christian tradition might legitimately dispute the validity or cogency of the various assertions I make below. But these are the issues that we simply must address today in the second quarter of the twenty-first century.
I’m using a format of we confess, we affirm, we deny, and we commit. I hope it reads well - but remember, it is only a first draft!
The Image of God
We confess that all human beings are created in the image of God, bearing inherent dignity, worth, and value that cannot be diminished or destroyed (Genesis 1:27-28). We affirm that by God's grace, this image is present in every person from conception to death. We deny that this image is based on human ability, is reducible to a capacity for either rationality or relationships, or is a cultural mandate. Instead, we affirm that the image comprises the glorious status of all persons as God’s royal representatives in the world who are called to be custodians of creation. We commit to affirming the image of God as the basis for our missions, acts of mercy, and the pursuit of justice in the world.
Disability
We confess that the church is called to be a community of inclusion, belonging, accessibility, welcoming and empowering all people to participate fully in worship, fellowship, and service according to their gifts and calling. We affirm that all persons with disabilities fully bear the image of God and possess equal dignity, worth, and value. We affirm that disability is part of the diverse expression of human experience in a fallen world, and we recognize that persons with disabilities often demonstrate profound faith, wisdom, and gifts that enrich the body of Christ. We affirm that some disabilities involve significant suffering and challenges, while recognizing that living with disability itself does not automatically equate to suffering or diminished quality of life. We affirm the value of medical intervention and assistive technologies that can enhance independence and participation, while also celebrating the inherent worth of every person regardless of their abilities or limitations. We deny any notion that disability diminishes one's humanity or reflects divine punishment or a lack of faith. We commit to removing barriers—physical, social, and attitudinal—that prevent full participation and to learning from the unique perspectives and contributions of our brothers and sisters with disabilities.
The Human Soul
We confess that humans are embodied souls, created as unified selves who are comprised of both material and immaterial aspects. We affirm that God created human beings as integrated persons whose bodies and souls together constitute our full humanity. We affirm the goodness of embodied existence while recognizing that both our physical and spiritual dimensions have been affected by the fall and are in need of redemption through Jesus Christ. After the separation between the soul and body and death, the two are wonderfully reunited in our future glorified bodies at the resurrection of the dead. We deny that humans are merely physical beings, or are merely souls temporarily trapped in the prison of their bodies. We deny that the Christian hope is akin to the immortality of the soul, reincarnation, or nothingness. We commit to loving God with our bodies, souls, and the whole fibre of our being.
Human Sexuality
We confess that God created humans as sexual beings and sexuality is an important facet of human existence, inherently good, while open to corruption and debasement. We affirm that sexual intimacy is a gift from God, designed for the context of marriage between one man and one woman, where it serves the purposes of personal union, procreation, and mutual flourishing. We affirm that sexuality encompasses physical intimacy as well as our capacity for deep relationships. We affirm the damage and dangers wrought by sexual abuse, sexual violence, sexual addiction, and pornography. We deny that sexual congress is inherently sinful, that all sexual desires should be met, or that singleness and celibacy (though trying for many) are lesser states of human existence. We commit ourselves to enjoying and disciplining our sexual desires to the glory of God.
Same-Sex Attraction