Credo: Humanity

Humanity

I believe that humanity was created by God and are therefore a manifestation of God’s creative power and glory, rather than the product of a timely evolution through biological processes—this gives humanity a purpose in God (Gen. 1:26-28). I believe that although God decided to create the biological distinctions of male and female, both genders are ontologically equal and co-recipients of God’s grace through Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27-29). I believe that the two genders were intended to function in a complementary way that mirrors the mystery of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:28-33). I believe that humanity was thus created for community (1 Cor. 12:12-31) in the sense that we are not to be alone and isolated—whether it be in the covenant of marriage or as a single person within the church—humanity is meant to function as a unified community (Gen. 2:18; Rom. 12:3-8). Concerning marriage, I believe that it is one of two domains in which the complementarian nature of men and women is to be manifest (the other being the church). Marriage is exclusively for one man, and one woman—anything else is a perversion of God’s design for humanity (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:27; Heb. 13:4). I believe that human beings are made in the image of God, and in this way are distinctly set apart from all other creatures in all of creation. I believe that human beings were created with certain qualities that enable us to think rationally and critically. I believe that human beings are unique in that we have both a physical and spiritual constitution (Deut. 26:16; 2 Kgs. 23:25; 1 Cor. 5:3; 2 Cor. 5:3). I believe that human beings are immortal in nature (Gen. 3:2-5; Mt. 10:28; 1 Jn. 2:25, 5:13). Once created, we do not cease to be. This creation takes place at the moment of conception, and therefore even the unborn should be regarded as entirely human and recipients of God’s care. I believe that after death the human being does not cease to exist in totality—indeed, the soul and body are separated for a time, but at the resurrection they will be forever united and sent to their appropriate domain of permanent existence, either separated from God in hell, or gloriously united with him through Christ (2 Cor. 5:6-8; 2 Tim. 2:11-13). Death is not natural, instead it is the result of sin. However, I believe that humanity is capable of eternal life with God through Jesus Christ (John 5:24, 6:68; 1 Jn. 2:25; Titus 1:2). I believe that humanity was created to worship and honor God and to fill all of the Earth with his image (Gen.9:1; Ps. 95:6; Jn. 4:23-24). I believe that humanity is naturally united to a historical Adam, and subsequently his sin (Rom. 5:12-21). In this way, all of humanity (as a unified race) is sinful. I believe that when Adam sinned with Eve, sin was conceived in such a way that Adam assumed natural headship over the entire human genealogical destiny rendering all who were born after him totally depraved (1 Cor. 15:22). In this depraved state the moral constitution of humanity was bent inward in idolatry and away from God. Thus, I believe that no human being is truly “good” by any natural means (Mk. 10:18). I believe that humanity’s sinful state marred the image of God that was once perfectly represented in humanity (in Eden before the fall). I believe that apart from the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit indwelling those who believe in Christ, there is no possible way to avoid the ramifications of sin and the punishment that results from its destructive nature (Rom. 3:23-24). I believe that Jesus Christ, who was the perfect image of God (Col. 1:9), was able to execute complete redemption of the human condition in such a way that all who repent of their sinful state and come to him in faith will be redeemed as well (Rom. 3:21-30).