Understanding
The Bible |
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.
"Mason's Notes"
200 Manor Avenue Langhorne, PA 19047 United States of America |
"Mason's Notes" Study materials on this website are made available here free, through the generosity of Cairn University, and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing that no charge is made for them. No further distribution or use of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright Law without the express permission of Cairn University. |
20160407