Humanity In The Bible

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? The Greek word for mankind is ?????p?? (anthropos) and studying what the Bible teaches about humanity is called biblical anthropology.

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NLT)

Who are We?

The first man, Adam was named for his origin, the ground.

“Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NASB)

Is there something greater than our earthly stature?

“The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven… And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 KJV)

Whose image do we bear now?

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness… So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’ “ (Genesis 1:26-27 NIV)

Because both male and female resemble God, does it mean something more than the bodily shape or gender? Is God limited to a particular outward form?

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:24 KJV)

Because we have a similar but limited ability to reason and rule like God, was Adam called the son of God?

“Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.” (Luke 3:38 NLT)

Yet does the story end there? Is there something new?

“… and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24 NKJV)

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” (Colossians 3:10 NLT)

Apart from rare and unfortunate genetic abnormalities, we are also male and female, different but equal in intellect and status before God.

“ ‘At last!’ the man exclaimed. ‘This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called “woman,” because she was taken from “man.” ’ This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Genesis 2:23-24 NLT)

What is the Soul?

The word soul has various meanings depending on context. It can mean the whole person, as a being.

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7 KJV)

The word soul can refer to the human spirit.

“Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT)

The word soul can refer to the mind.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB)

The word soul can refer to the psyche or seat of our desires.

“He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Luke 10:27 NIV)

Why are We?

What is our purpose? Let’s begin by asking, what caused the breakdown in trust between God and humanity?

“Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17 KJV)

Can one bad decision bring lifelong consequences?

“The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’ ‘Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,’ the woman replied. ‘It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, “You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.” ’ ‘You won’t die!’ the serpent replied to the woman. ‘God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.’ The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.” (Genesis 3:1-6 NLT)