The Truth About Humans

Intro.: [AGS]: While there are different thoughts, opinions, and beliefs present among men, there is but one that "begins with God and works down to man.” Not only that, but as it is in Genesis 1:1, “No argument is entered into to prove the existence of God: instead, His existence is affirmed as a fact to be believed. And yet, sufficient is expressed in this one brief sentence to expose every fallacy which man has invented concerning the Deity. This opening sentence of the Bible repudiates atheism, for it postulates the existence of God. It refutes materialism, for it distinguishes between God and His material creation. It abolishes pantheism, for it predicates that which necessitates a personal God.” [1] Thus, it is important that as we study the truths about humans as detailed in Scripture, we understand the God who is the Author of Scripture. [TS]: The text recorded the creation account of humans, detailing the basic truths about them in creation. [RS]: As you and I relate to other humans, we must understand how we were created. Prior to engaging conversations about humans- how we value them, what we know and believe about them, etc.- we must embrace the beginning of humans and the truth about them as revealed in God’s creation of them.

TS: Let us examine a few truths together now.

Humans were created by God. [vv. 26a, 27]

The key to this is in understanding the proper order of creation and the God behind creation. It is not that man existed first. God existed, and in His infinite power, He created man.

The first person plural pronoun- though there are different suggestions (i.e., refers to angels of God; refers to creation of God to this point, etc.)- like refers to and supports the Trinitarian nature of God. Elohim (אֱלֹהִ֑ים) is a plural noun.

Why ought we to affirm this truth? It properly establishes God’s pre-existent nature, and it details that humans came from God, not that God came from humans.

Humans were created in the image of God. [26-27]

This truth is important for two reasons:

This is not a literal meaning. This likely means that humans share God’s communicable attributes such as life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice, etc. [2]

By making humans in His image, God was demonstrating His Lordship over all creation. Beliefs during the early days (specifically, ancient near east), an image of a particular king indicated his reign over a particular location. This is exemplified not only in humans bearing God’s image, but also in humans demonstrating God’s authority in ruling over all of creation (v. 28). [3]

Why ought we to affirm this truth? It establishes the authority of God over all creation, and it reminds humans of God’s purpose to use them to assert His authority over all.

Humans were created male and female. [v. 27b]

This is significant because this was the means by which God would sustain His creation, commanding them in v. 28 to “be fruitful and multiply.”

Why ought we to affirm this truth? It establishes the purpose behind two genders in which God purposes to sustain creation and continue His reign over creation.

CONCLUSION:

[1] It is important that we understand our beginning if we are to truly understand our purpose and how to relate to one another.

[2] Do you accept and embrace this account as the creation account of man, establishing God as creator of man, the Lord of all creation (including man), and the Sustainer of life providing the means to sustain creation?

Bibliography:

[1] Arthur Walkington Pink, Gleanings in Genesis (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2005), 9.

[2] Allen P. Ross, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 29.

[3] Andrew Reid, Genesis: Salvation Begins, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2000), 10.

Consulted Resources:

[1] Allen Ross and John N. Oswalt, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, vol. 1 (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008).

[2] David Brown, A. R. Fausset, and Robert Jamieson, A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Genesis–Deuteronomy, vol. I (London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited, n.d.).

[3] Gordon J. Wenham, “Genesis,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 61.

[4] Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Ge 1:1–11:26.

[5] Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), Ge 1:26–27.

[6] James G. Murphy, Notes on the Old Testament: Genesis (Boston: Estes and Lauriate, 1873).

[7] Derek Kidner, Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1967).

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