Systematic Theology II The Doctrine of Man The Origin of Man & The Nature of Man

The First Man was Created Directly and Supernaturally The Creation of Man was Direct and Immediate God created man instantaneously on the sixth day of Creation, not over a long process of time. He formed him from the ground and breathed the breath of life into him. Man’s Body was Created from Previously Existing Inorganic Matter Man’s creation on Day 6 was from dirt created on Day 3. The Creation of Man was Supernatural Even though God used existing material, man’s creation was something only He could do. Gen 1 provides the sixth day creation account; Gen 2 provides a more detailed account of the creation of man and woman.

The First Man was Created Directly and Supernaturally Adam’s Spirit was Created by a Direct Inbreathing from God The “breath of life” was more than just air into Adam’s lungs. It also included his spirit, an integral part of the image of God. Adam’s Individual Personhood Resulted from the Union of the Body and the Spirit It was not until the spirit joined the body that Adam became a living soul.

The First Woman was Created Directly and Supernaturally Eve was Created Potentially in Adam Though Eve also was a direct creation of God, she was also formed out of man. Eve had a Direct Creation Eve was also made from previously existing material, i.e., Adam’s side, but her creation was just as supernatural. The Woman became Man’s Helper Eve is describe as one “suitable for” or “corresponding to” the man (Gen 2:18). She was created as a helper and supplied what the man lacked (1 Cor 11:11-12). Man, as male and female, was made on the sixth day.

Lessons from the Creation of the Woman The Physical and Spiritual Unity of the Race The human race is a physical unity (Acts 17:26) and a spiritual unity, meaning: The origin and transmission of the soul is through one’s physical parents; Adam’s guilt and depravity are transmitted to each person. The True Dignity of Women and Womanhood Men and Women are equal before God in every way as persons, though their roles differ (1 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:11-13; Eph 5:22-24, 33). Man’s Complement can only be Found in Woman No other creature fills this role (Gen 2:19-20).

The Entire Human Race Descended from Adam and Eve by Procreation Eve is said to be “the mother of all the living” (Gen 3:20). Human depravity is transmitted to all humans who are born into the world, except Jesus Christ (Gen 8:21; Psa 51:5; 58:3). Eve is probably from the Latin Eva, meaning life, living.

The Nature of Man This is a little different from McCune.

The Composition of Man Man generally has both a physical (material) and spiritual (non-material) component (e.g., Matt 10:28). More specifically, man is made up of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thess 5:23; Heb 4:12). Body – composed of material elements. McCune argues that man must always have a body, even in the intermediate state (pp. 12-13). Soul – Man became a living soul when God breathed into him the breath of life (Gen 2:7). The soul is the expression of man’s individuality. Death is the separation of the soul from the body. Spirit – Spirit is the seat of man’s personality, which is expressed through the soul. Spirit is basically the image of God and the means through which man knows and communicates with God (e.g., Rom 8:10, 16). This why sanctification is concerned with the cultivation of one’s spirit. “Heart” is the term often used, especially in the OT, as the “mission control center” of man’s being. (See McCune, p. 19). There is apparent overlap between soul and spirit. (See McCune, p. 20). A dichotomist would argue that soul and spirit are synonymous. Body verse spirit/soul dualism is not biblical.

Excursus: Animal Souls? Animals are also spoken of as having souls and spirits. Genesis 1:20-21 Then God said, "Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens." And God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. Genesis 6:17 “And behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish.” Ecclesiastes 3:21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? What’s the difference? Animals are not made in the image of God. Their soul/spirit is merely their life-animating principle and does not know or communicate with God. They operate by instinct. Both Satan and his demons are always subject to the sovereignty of God.

The Origin and Propagation of the Soul and Spirit: Theories Pre-Existence The soul exists prior to its being placed in the body at birth. This assumes a conscience existence in a previous state prior to birth, and sin having occurred in that state. This theory is found in the Wisdom of Solomon (8:19-20), in Philo, and in the Jewish Talmud and Kabbalah. Objections Lacks biblical support. Lacks empirical support, i.e., no one has any remembrance of such a pre-existent state. It contradicts Rom 5:14-19.

The Origin and Propagation of the Soul and Spirit: Theories Creationism The soul of each human is immediately created by God and joined to a body at conception, birth, or some time in between. This view is held by many Reformed theologians. Objections It makes God responsible for the creation of sinful souls. It destroys the unity of the human race in characteristics, other than physical, that are passed down from one generation to the next.

The Origin and Propagation of the Soul and Spirit: Theories Traducianism (from the Latin tradux, meaning sprout or shoot). Parents generate persons, i.e., body, soul, and spirit, by procreation. This process was established by God beginning with Adam and Eve. This is the best view for the following reasons: It preserves the unity of the human race. It preserves inherited depravity. Adam’s sin is transmitted through procreation (Psa 51:5; John 8:34; Rom 8:5-7, 10). It preserves God’s seventh day rest (Gen 2:2).

The Image of God in Man & The Original State of Man Next Week: The Image of God in Man & The Original State of Man