I believe:

God created everything that exists and God created man (Gen 1:1; Ps 139:13-16; Prov 22:2; Col 1:16). God did not create humanity out of any need within himself but out of an overflow of His glory (Acts 17:24-25; Ps 50:9-12; Job 41:11). Man is sustained by God (Acts 17:25) whom we have relationship with (Jer 9:23-24; John 17:3; Matt 22:37), and is purposely made to glorify him (Isa 43:7, 21; Eph 1:11-12), which in glorifying Him we bring God joy (Isa 62:3-5; Zeph 3:17). We are also called to rule and subdue creation in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), therefore above all other creation. In essence, the image of God is the basis of human dignity and biblical ethics (Gen 9:6; Jas 3:8; Mat 22:37-40; 1 Jn 4:20-21). Mankind was created in the image of God (Gen 5:1) as persons who are responsible for decisions and have unique personalities, wills and minds (Gal 6:7-8). The image of God is manifested through man’s attributes of morality, spirituality (Ecc 3:11), mentality, physicality (1 Cor 15:43-45), and relationships (1 Cor 6:3; Ps 8:6-8; Gen 1:26). Jesus ultimately demonstrates the image of God (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15) being perfect in fellowship with the Father, perfect in obedience of His will (Heb 4:15), having a selfless love for others (Phil 2:7-8), and perfectly fulfilling his intended purpose (2 Cor 5:21).

Man consists of two distinct parts, body and soul (John 12:27; 13;21; 2 Cor 7:1; Heb 12:23; 1 Pet 3:19; Rev 6:9). Both are unified, with mutual effect toward each other in their unification, however the soul can exist without the body (Gen 2:7; 1 Cor 7:34). The soul and body are separated at death (Gen 35:18; Isa 53:12; Ecc 12:7; 1 Kings 17:21). Only until Christ returns, man shall live in a glorified state of body and soul (1 Cor 15:51-54).

God created man as male and female (Gen 2:22), whom both is created equally in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 9:6). Thus both are equal in personhood and dignity (Acts 2:17-18; Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:7). God’s image of covenant and trinity is shown through the interpersonal relationships shared between men and women (Gen 2:24, Matt 19:6). Men and women are equally fallen and in need of redemption (Gen 2:18; Gen 3; Rom 3:23) and are equally children of God by faith (Gal 3:28). Each have a distinction of role (Gen 1:26-28) as Male was created first (1 Tim 2:13; 1 Cor 11:8), Eve was created to be Adam’s helper (1 Cor 11:9-10) and Adam is responsible for naming Eve (Gen 2:23). Both function in the church and in marriage differently but are complimentary in roles (Gen 2:7; 18-23; 1 Tim 2:13; Eph 5:22-24; 1 Cor 11:3, 9). The creation of male and female concludes the marriage between male and female (Gen 2:24) through which is a unique covenant of each living exclusively for each other only (Rom 1:18-27). The complimentary roles are restored through redemption in Christ (1 Cor 11:3; 15:28).

As a result of the fall, the image of God is distorted but not completely lost due to sin, and we are unable to act in likeness of God (Gen 9:6; James 3:8; Matt 22:37-40; 1 John 4:20-21). Man is totally depraved and is guilty through Adam (Rom 5:12-21), and becomes an enemy of God (Rom 5:10; Jas 4:4). All men has sinned fall short of the glory of God and only deserve death (Rom 2:23; 6:23). In an unregenerate state, man is unable to believe in God through his own effort (Jn 6:44, 6:65). Without regeneration, man is dead in sin and is disobedient towards God (Eph 1:2-3). Hence the unregenerate will not see the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3), understand Him (1 Cor 2:14), submit to Him (Rom 8:6-8), or seek Him (Rom 3:9-18). Therefore it relies solely on God’s work of regeneration to secure the salvation of an individual (Rom 9:16), which begins the redemption of man into the image of God (Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 15:49; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 2:12). Ultimately God redeems sinners for His glory (Eph 1:5-6, 11-12, 14; Rom 3:26; 15:7).

Last edited in March 2012