What Is Man? Let's Begin With Man First: The Bible And Pagan

What Is Man Lets Begin With Man First The Bible And Pagan Culture R

What Is Man Lets Begin With Man First The Bible And Pagan Culture R

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of human identity and nature differs markedly between biblical teachings and pagan perspectives, with profound implications for understanding man's purpose and his relationship to creation. This paper explores the biblical view of mankind's origin, distinguishing it from pagan ideas, and examines the divine institutions that structure human social existence. It further investigates the design of man and nature, emphasizing the unique role humans play within creation according to Scripture, and discusses the implications of these views for moral responsibility and societal organization.

According to the biblical narrative in Genesis 2:7 and 2:21-22, man was created through a miraculous act of God, formed directly from the earth's dust. This conception strongly refutes evolutionary models, which interpret "dust" as metaphorical, aiming to reconcile Genesis with biological evolution. In biblical theology, man's immediate creation from earth underscores a unique, divine origin, not an accidental or gradual process. The New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 11:6-9; 1 Timothy 2:13-14) affirms this literal interpretation, emphasizing man's special creation in the image of God, designed for moral responsibility and social interaction. The narrative highlights that man is created for a glorious purpose—ruling the earth through subduing it and procreation—reflecting God's own rule and glory (Genesis 1:26-30).

The biblical account also reveals that woman was formed from man, symbolizing the intrinsic unity and distinctive roles within human relationships. This purposeful design embodies God's intention for human society—characterized by shared dignity and responsibility. Moreover, the biblical depiction of man as an image of God underscores his spiritual nature, capacity for moral choice, and dominion over creation. These divine institutions—such as responsible stewardship and moral agency—transcend mere biological existence and are foundational to understanding human purpose.

In contrast, pagan cultures often conceive of man as a product of natural or divine processes that diminish his uniqueness. Many pagan perspectives suggest that man is merely a stage in evolutionary development or a divine incarnation without a fixed spiritual essence. Such views tend to reduce humanity to natural phenomena or divine embodiments that do not necessarily involve moral responsibilities rooted in divine law.

Turning to the nature of creation, biblical teaching emphasizes that all non-human creation—rocks, water, plants, animals, angels, stars—exists to reveal God's glory and communicate divine truths. While nature does not possess language or speech, it bears patterns and forms that reflect the mind and will of its Creator. As Psalm 19 and Romans 1 assert, creation "glorifies" God by displaying His attributes, and humans are equipped to recognize this through reason and revelation. Modern science, especially genetics and molecular biology, reveals intricate coding and design in life forms, reinforcing the idea that these patterns carry meaningful messages from God's thoughts.

This divine design is often misconstrued by pagan and evolutionary interpretations, which attribute biological complexity and cosmic order to chance. However, biblical doctrine maintains that such forms are purposeful, intended to communicate redemptive knowledge and divine character. Recognizing the presence of moral and spiritual symbolism in nature, Christians understand that these patterns serve as general revelation—a testament to God's creative power and moral order. Nonetheless, sin and rebellion distort this message, leading to chaos, natural evil, and environmental degradation, as described in Romans 8 and Psalm 8. This fallen state of nature manifests storms, earthquakes, pollution, and suffering, illustrating the corrupting effects of sin on creation.

Despite this, the biblical perspective affirms that nature still bears witness to its Creator, though imperfectly. Men and women, made in God's image, have the divine calling to exercise responsible dominion over creation. However, this stewardship is limited by the fallen condition of the universe. Natural evil, from natural disasters to moral decay, complicates humanity's task of understanding and utilizing creation. Consequently, human beings must labor diligently, recognizing that work and toil are reflections of the cursed world but also opportunities to fulfill God's original mandate with purpose and integrity.

Furthermore, sin has inflicted damage on man's divine institutions, corrupting responsible rule over nature, and distorting moral and social order. Yet, biblical hope persists that through Christ, believers can restore aspects of these divine plans—working in harmony with God's creation, not against it. The biblical view recognizes that human labor, while often fraught with difficulties, aligns with God's exemplar work in creation. This perspective transforms labor from a curse into a meaningful vocation—an aspect of God's original design for humans to cultivate and steward His creation responsibly.

Ultimately, the biblical understanding of man sets him apart from naturalistic or pagan views by affirming a transcendent origin, moral responsibility, and divine purpose. It underscores that humans are created in God's image for a glorious role within an ordered universe—tasked with ruling responsibly, understanding natural revelation, and curbing the chaos introduced by sin. This worldview provides a foundation for moral clarity, societal order, and hope in the renewal of creation.

References

• Bertrand, P. (2005). The Genesis Account and Evolution. Creation Science Journal.
• Walton, J. H. (2011). The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate. IVP Academic.
• Morris, H. M. (1985). The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Baker Books.
• Livingston, R. (2007). Understanding the Biblical Doctrine of Humanity. Christian Thought.
• Reese, H. (2007). The Christian Worldview and Natural Revelation. Journal of Creation.
• Wilder-Smith, A. E. (1971). The Biological Code and the Creator. Christian Biological Sciences.
• Romans 1:20 (New International Version). For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.
• Psalms 19:1-6. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
• Genesis 2:7, 21-22. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground... So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
• Jens, J. (2012). The Imago Dei: Humanity as God's Reflection. Journal of Biblical Studies.