What We Believe About: Humanity

The Doctrine of Humanity: The Issue of Identity

Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 9:6; and Colossians 3:9-10 (CSB)

Main Idea: We believe that humans are best identified as creatures made according to a special divine design, and they flourish best when they live in accordance with that design.

I. The of Human Identity (Gen. 1-3).

A. Humans are beings.

B. Humans are created in the of God.

C. Humans are created and .

D. Humans are created to .

E. Humans are created with a complex .

F. Humans are created for .

G. Humans are not today as they were created: they are .

H. Humans are not today as they will be one day.

II. The of Human Identity

A. Clues from Gen. 1:26-27.

1. Being created in God’s image is true of humans.

2. Being created in God’s image is true of humans.

B. Clues from Gen. 9:6.

1. We are still God’s image-bearers after our

2. Being God’s image-bearers is the basis for our belief in the of human life.

C. Clues from Col. 3:9-10.

1. Fallen people need to be in the image of God.

2. Renewal happens when we put on the in Christ.

D. To be created in the image of God means that we are created with the for a relationship with God.

III. The of Human Identity

A. Live in with who you are.

B. Treat every human as and worthy of respect because they are made in the image of God.

C. Accept that you are not only made by God; you are made God.