Understanding The Bible |
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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970
II. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF MAN
Material
Chemical truth of Genesis 2:7
Man lives and is sustained physically by unceasing appropriation of
materials which come directly or indirectly from the "dust of the ground" (1
Cor. 15:47; 2 Cor. 4:7; Gen. 2:7; 3:19).
Material and immaterial are two distinct factors, yet perfectly and
marvelously harmonious and adapted (Jas. 2:26; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; 4:16; 2 Pet.
1:13-15; Mt. 10:28).
Immaterial
Image and likeness
Man was created by God (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1-2; 2:7, 21-25;
Mt. 19:4). b. Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen.
1:26); man became "a soul of life" (Gen. 2:7). Hence, there is endless
life, eternal existence, whether in weal or in woe.
View 1. God's image
This does not mean physical likeness (Dt. 4:15; Jn. 4:24). Three New
Testament verses seem to explain usage of the word "image" (Col. 3:10;
Eph. 4:23-24). The image of God, therefore, would consist in knowledge,
righteousness, and holiness. It would be a moral likeness, not a
physical one. Personality, rational self-consciousness, is that intended
to be understood.
View 2. God's likeness
In the view indicated above, likeness and image would be synonymous.
However, image has to do with the attributes which make up
personality--intellect, sensibility, volition—and likeness has to do
with character, which in Adam's case (before the fall) was positively
good (Gen. 1:31). In the fall man lost God's likeness, but he retained
His image. His likeness was a moral likeness.
Image is transmitted (Gen. 5:1-3; 9:6; Jas. 3:9; 1 Cor. 11:7).
a. Fallen man bears image of God.
b. But man has been so injured that only redeeming grace can rescue him.
Image = personality likeness to God--intellect, sensibility, will,
conscience.
Likeness = moral likeness to God, untainted by sin.
Dichotomy and trichotomy
The first of these views makes soul and spirit synonymous, and concludes
that man is composed of two parts only, material and immaterial. But we at
PCB are trichotomists, believing man was created a trinity (spirit, soul,
and body) by the Triune God (1 Cor. 15:44; 1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 4:12; 1 Cor.
2:14; Jude 19).
Soul - individuality of man. Distinguishes man from inanimate nature.
Spirit - the outbreaking of God into the creature, the life-principle
derived from God.
Body = world-consciousness
Soul = self-consciousness
Spirit = God-consciousness
Physical man - man as nature now constitutes him and as sin has affected
him.
Spiritual man - man as grace has reconstituted him and as God's Spirit
dwells in him.
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