Anthropology and Harmartiology Doctrinal Statement

Humanity’s origin: I believe that God created humanity by an intentionally purposed act (Gen 1:26-28)to rule over the creation(Gen 1:26b-28;Ps 8:6-8). I believe God made humanity both male and female in the image of God (IOG)(Gen 1:26-28;2:18-25;5:1). Both male and female are intrinsically and equally endowed at creation, and share the IOG corporately and neither one individually is more or less the image. (Gen 1:27;2:18;5:1).  

I believe the IOG is in all people (Gen 1:26-27), and that all humans have intrinsic worth (Gen 9:6; Jam 3:9). The IOG has a structural aspect where we can make rational and moral decisions as rulers on earth (Gen 2:20; Eph 1:11). The IOG has a functional aspect where God has ordained man to rule in His stead physically over creation (Gen 1:26; 2:5; Ps 8:5-6; Rom 20-22). The IOG has a relational aspect where we are to mirror or reflect the image of God as seen in the Trinity by being a unified or a relational community (Gen 1:26; Jon 17:21-22), especially in regards to Christians (Acts 2:43-47;Phil 2:2-4).  Moreover, the IOG has a theological aspect where since the fall, every man’s IOG is marred (Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3;Rom 3:10-12), but through faith in Christ and His work the image is gradually renewed - first through justification, then gradually through sanctification (Jn 3:3; Rom 6:4; 2Cor 5:16-17; 1 Pet 1:23) until after we die when God will glorify us (Rom 8:29-30). The goal while still here on earth is to strive towards Christ’s likeness (Jn 2:6; Rom 8:29 1Cor 11:1; Gal 3:27; Eph 5:1-2; 1 Pet 2:21) and to have the mind of Christ (Rom 12:2; 1Cor 2:16 Phi 2:5.)

Humanity’s constitution: I believe that each person is divided into material (body) and immaterial (soul/spirit) (Mt 10:28; 1Cor 5:3).  Those who believe in Christ will be separated from their bodies for a short time at death (1 Thess. 4:13-17) until they receive their glorified bodies after Christ’s return (1Cor 15:44).

The origin of the soul: I believe the human soul is transmitted from one’s parents (Gen 1:28; 2:7;5:1-5;46:26; Heb 7:9-10) as God’s secondary agents of creation. Thus, each soul is inherently sinful because it was transmitted by Adam to all his posterity (Ps 51:5; Rom 3:9-3-23;5:12).

Humanity’s sin in the Garden of Eden: I believe sin began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, when they chose to disobey God and thus, cursed the entire creation (Gen 3).  This sinful nature is also passed down to each person as they inherit the sinful nature or the guilt of Adam (Rom 5:12-21). This means that each person in the human race is innately sinful (Is 53:6; Rom 3:9-23).

The nature and effects of sin on the Humanity: I believe all humanity sinned when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and thus caused the rest of their posterity to be born with sin in them, marring the entire human race (Rom 5:12-21). Furthermore, due to each person’s sinful nature, it is impossible for anyone to desire God (Jn 6:44) or obtain righteousness through their own ability or power (Is 64:6; Rom 3:29). Salvation is a gift through faith in Christ Jesus, and one can only please God through faith (Heb 11:6). I believe that both the material and the immaterial are corrupted; the material: body (Rom 6:12-13) and the immaterial: mind (Eph 2:3), heart (Jer 17:9; Ecc 8: 11,9:3 Rom 1:21), conscience (1 Tim 4:2), will (2 Tim 2:25-26), and emotions (2 Tim 3:2-4).

          I believe original sin caused corruption of all humanity (Rom 5:12), and spiritual death (Gen 2:17,3:9-10). It caused humanity to feel shame (Gen 3:7). It caused a curse on creation and caused physical death (Gen 3). I believe sin consists of actions and passive acts, for example, wrong thoughts (Mt 5:27-28;1 Jn 3:15), and wrong motives (Mt 6:1-6; Jas 4:3). The Biblical nature of sin consists of shortcomings or falling short (Lev 4:22-24; Rom 2:12), rebellion against God (Is 1:2), lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4), transgression (Dt 17:2), drifting or wandering astray (Lev 4:2-3; Mk 13:5; Heb 2:1) and so on. In general, sin is any falling short of God’s Glory. The result of the generic original sin is that humanity is born inherently sinful and each one will fall short because of it (Rom 3:10, 23). It is because of this sin that those who are not justified through a personal faith in Christ are all children destined for God’s wrath (Eph 2:3), because they are already judged (John 3:18).

My Translation of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2

1. And you (all) being dead, in reference to your offences^[1] and sins,

2. in which you formerly walked according to this worldly age,^[2] according to supernatural [ruling] power^[3] over the air^[4], the spirit that is now working  among the sons of disobedience.

3.among whom, we also all formerly lived in our flesh’s lust doing fleshly desires and impulsive^[5]  desires, and we were children, conditioned of our nature, ^[6]  destined for wrath^[7] even as the rest. 

4.but God being rich in mercy, because of His great love which He loved us

5. and although we were dead in our offences^[8], made us alive together with Christ—by means of grace you have been saved—

6. and raised you  (all) and seated you (all) in the heavenly placed in Christ Jesus

7. in order that He might demonstrate in the age to come, the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8. For by means of grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift that comes from God.

9. not (a gift that comes) from works, in order that no one  may boast on themselves.

10 For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God prepared beforehand in order that we might walk in them.

11. Therefore remember that once you (all), the nations in the flesh, those who are called uncircumcised by the so called circumcision which is in the flesh made by hands.

12. that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

13. But now in Christ Jesus, you (all) who once were far off, have been brought near by [means] of the blood of Christ,

14. for He Himself is our peace, the one who made both groups into one, and destroyed the barrier fence that divides, namely the enmity, in His flesh

15. by abolishing the law, the commandments contained within ordinances, so that He might make in Himself the two into one man, thus making peace.

16.   and reconcile both into one body, to God through the Cross, by putting to death the enmity.

17.  and he preached the good news of peace to you [who are] far away, and peace to you who are near.

18. for through Him we have access to one Spirit of the father,

19.therefore, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones, and are members of God’s house.

20.  (you)  having been built on a foundation, the apostles and the prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the corner stone,

21.  in whom the building, joined together is growing into a Holy Temple, in the Lord.

22. in whom  also you are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

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[1] BDAG says this παραπτώμασιν means offences.

[2] Attributive genitive

[3] According to the Concise Greek-english dictionary of the new testament,  ἐξουσία , ας f authority, right, liberty; ability, capability; supernatural power; ruling power Barclay Moon Newman, A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament. (Stuttgart, Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft; United Bible Societies, 1993), 65

[4] Genative of subordination

[5]  Subjective genitive. According to BDAG “διάνοια” is a “sense, impulse, in a bad sense.”

[6] condition or circumstance as determined by birth, (BDAG) 1069.

[7] ὀργῆς is a genitive of destination, (Larkin, 30).

[8] Transgressions or offences against God.

My Translation of Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus] who believe in Christ Jesus. 2 Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and the Lord Christ Jesus.

3. Blessed is the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing within the heavens within Christ. 4. Just as He chose us within Him before the beginning of the world, in order for us to be holy and blameless before him, in love, He having predestined us for sonship through Christ Jesus to himself, according to His good pleasure and His will,6. For the praise of his glorious grace, which he bestowed upon us in the beloved.

7. In whom we have redemption through His blood, that is forgiveness of sin according to the richness of His grace.8. That (He) causes to abound on us, in all wisdom and insight.9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure[1], that He purposed in Him,10 For administration of the fullness[2] of time, to sum up for himself all things in Christ,[3] the [things] in the heaven and the [things] on the earth in Him.11. In whom, also we have been chosen as God’s own people[4] after being predestined according to his purpose who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

12. We who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise for His glory.13. In Him also you all after listening to the true Word, the Gospel of your salvation having believed, after you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of the promises.14. Who is a down payment on our inheritance, concerning redemption, of [God’s own] possession to praise of His glory, 15. because of this, I have heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus, which exists among you and your love (that is) for all the holy ones.

16. I am not stop giving thanks on behalf of you (all), bringing (you) to memory in my prayers,

17. that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18. May He illuminate the eyes of your heart so that (you) will know what is the expectation of his calling, also what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the holy ones;

19. and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us, who believe, according to the working according to His mighty strength. 20 which He worked in Christ, having raised (Christ) up from the dead and sat at the right hand, in the heavens, 21 above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the age to come22.and  all things (are) subject under His feet and He gave Him as head over all the church. 23. which is his body, “the fullness of Him who fills in every way”.

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[1] delight

[2] Or completion.

[3]  According to John Delhousaye Notes on Ephesians Greek text & notes.

[4] People or possessions, the NET states, “In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession.” Since we are people, the ones who have been “predestined sonship”(VS 6) then I think it would be probable that the possessions here are either the people the ones who have the predestined sonship.