What is Man?

In spite of all the effort to develop theories of anthropology from those holding a secular or non-Christian worldview, none have accurately addressed the definition and purpose of man as demonstrated by the Bible. Considering this, there are several points one can come to understand regarding the doctrine of man as represented in Scripture. First, due to sin, all men are primarily and absolutely depraved (Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9). This being true, we can in no way please God in and of ourselves: We are not spiritually injured, but spiritually dead (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-18). An important point to understand about how centrally and completely man is fallen is by considering how holy, perfect, and gracious our God is (1 Corinthians 1:25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8). Understanding the nature of man and how man is comparable to God his Creator, Biblical anthropology is a two-sided coin which also addresses the fact that man is the crown of God’s creation, having been made in His image (Psalm 8:4-5, Genesis 1:26-27). Realizing how God has created man and how man has demonstrated his capacity and tendency toward sin, this completed picture should cause sinful man to properly view himself in light of a holy God. When this realization is accomplished, man begins to understand his need for a Savior in Jesus Christ and purpose in life to accomplish the plan and will of God for him (Luke 13:3, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, Romans 8:28, 12:2). So then, man is defined by sin, yet redeemed and able to fulfill his purpose in and by obedience to Christ.

What About Those Who Never Hear?

While it is true that God makes Himself known through general revelation, it is not true that apart from saving faith through Christ that there is any possibility whatsoever of actual salvation. The Bible makes important points on this issue by such verses as Psalm 19:1-6, 98:2-3 (possibly Messianic), and Isaiah 40:5 (Messianic), which demonstrate God’s revelation of Himself to man. An important point to note in the particular case of unevangelized people groups is made in other verses of Scripture such as Isaiah 65:1 and Romans 9:22-33, stressing the importance of God continually working to save the lost in spite of man. While this is true, the God of the Old Testament is also the God of the New, Who says, “…‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’(John 14:6)” Looking at all of Scripture, God does make Himself known by means of general revelation; however, God also makes His Son known through special revelation. While history (Biblical) gives evidence of salvation apart from reading/hearing a particular account from the New Testament, it does not give evidence of salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Whether this fact is demonstrated by recognition of the Angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ) as God (Genesis 16:7-14, Judges 6:22, Zechariah 12:8, etc.), looking forward to the promises of God in Messiah (Isaiah 53, Mark 12:35-37, John 4:25, etc.), or recognizing the divinity of Christ in the New Testament (Titus 2:11-14, John 8:58, Matthew 26:64, Mark 2:5, Revelation 1:17-18, 2 Peter 1:1-3, Colossians 2:8-10, Romans 9:5, Hebrew 1:9, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 2:27-28, etc.), all come to saving faith in Christ alone.