What is Man? (February 2019 Update)
“What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou dost visit him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor” Psalm 8:4-5. A biblical (as well as rational) view of man is that man is special and unique. His is different from all the animals in so many ways it is impossible to list them all. And these differences are not merely differences in degree. They are substantial in quality and in number.
So “what is man?” In Genesis, we are told that God created man “in His own image and likeness; male and female, He created them.” What does this mean? For one, it means that God created man different from all the animals. Only man is said to be “created in the image of God.” In Genesis 9:6, God spells out the difference vividly: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Animals may kill animals; men may kill animals; but man may not take the life of another man for one reason: he is in the image of God. As much as you may love your cat or your dog, and even though they may feel like family, they are still animals. Only man is in the image of God. And that makes him special, unique and valuable.
There have been many attempts to define man but apart from a biblical worldview, all the attempts come up empty. If man is merely an animal, even a highly evolved one, then why does he have moral constraints and concerns? Why is it that men, all men from all cultures and all generations in history have a “god-sense” — that is, why do they all seek to worship god in some form, while none of the animals do so? It is simply because only man is created in the image of God.
What does it mean for man to be in “the image of God?” Theologians have identified a number of factors. They point to language, relationship, freedom, dominion, morality, holiness, immortality and creativity. Each of these shows some aspect of man in God’s image. But first four (language, relationship, freedom and dominion) are also exhibited by animals, at least to some degree. The last four tend to be unique to man. Only man has an ethical awareness. Only man seems concerned about being holy. And only man has some sense of the eternal (life after death). All of these certainly display the image of God in man.
But for me, I am increasingly drawn to the idea of man as creator. Not in the same sense as God (creating out of nothing), but in the sense that to be human is to be creative. None of the animals exhibits creativity. Man has an insatiable desire to create. Animals are not creative. They continually reproduce a stereotyped design. Birds of the same species build the same types of nests; spiders spin the same web designs. They do not exhibit creativity.
Man, on the other hand, cannot bear to not create. During Soviet times, all buildings were the same, even to the same ugly red linoleum in every hallway of every apartment complex. But open the door to neighboring apartments and you see endless variety. No one wants his house to look the same as his neighbor’s and, if two women wear the same dress to an event, a major crisis ensues. Because we love creativity. Because we were created in the image of God!
Even in something as simple as food, man amazes me. We are not content to eat food as we find it, but we have endless ways to prepare and serve even the exact same foods. Why? Because man is in the image of God. Why would man even think to try certain combinations (like salty caramel)? Because man is created in the image of God.
The last few years, I have been more and more impressed with man and his reflection of the image of God as creator. I am constantly amazed at what man has accomplished and what he is capable of accomplishing in the future. I do not say this as a humanist but as one who is constantly asking God: “What is man that thou art mindful of him?” When I see what man has done, what man is doing and when I envision what man may accomplish in the future, I am humbled by the crown of God’s creation: Man.
But man as we see him now is in a fallen condition. He is not as he once was. Sin has affected him completely so that even his creativity can, at times, be an attempt to escape or avoid His creator. That’s why the gospel is so important. Man is special – that’s why God sent His only Son to die for him and rise from the dead. That is why, in spite of the evil of mankind, we continue to point man to the only solution to a sin-cursed world: the redemptive work of Jesus. Still, man, even in his fallen condition, shows evidence of the image of God causing us all to marvel and say: “What is man?”
Teaching Ministry
At the end of January, I traveled to Lviv to teach theology sections there. This seminary is really growing. I had 56 students in my class and another 40 students will be taking the same class next week with another professor! The seminary has purchased additional space and they are currently remodeling the space. The hope is that the space will be ready for students next fall.
I was able to teach Anthropology (the doctrine of man), Hamartiology (the doctrine of sin) and Christology (the doctrine of Christ). The class sessions were great with lots of theological, biblical and practical questions. Each evening, the students had to write an essay on a theological issue form the day. That meant I had 56 papers to grade each night. The first night, I stayed up until 3 am grading papers. After that I changed my strategy. I went to bed early (between 9-10) and got up around 5 am to grade paper. It worked and I was able to get all the grading done so the student would have feedback before their next papers. We finished the class with 9 different groups providing a theological presentation of one of the doctrines in a practical and contemporary setting. Each group had a different approach (creativity?) and they provided insights that were biblical and applicable to the church today.
In February and March, I will be shifting focus some to evangelistic outreach through English Clubs and some outreach to international students. This is one of my joys as I get to use English as well as lay foundations and build bridges for evangelistic outreach.
Family Times …
At the end of the month, we celebrated Kristina’s 5th birthday. She has grown so much and is a real joy to be around. She loves to sing and dance and dress up. She is a real organizer who loves to put everything back in its place. She also loves to tell stories and loves to draw. She is learning to read and she often puts together “books” with pictures and a few key words to tell her stories.
Nadia is also growing up. She loves to sing and dance. Her favorite song lately is “London Bridges” although she never sings the right words. Instead, she makes up her own songs using the London Bridges tunes. “Oh the bus is falling down….” “Oh the bees they make us honey…” etc. Both girls love cooking and helping mom. Katya is enjoying teaching homeschool. She has been amazed at how much fun it can be, especially with all the experiments and new books that we get to read!
Praying for Ukraine …
Please keep Ukraine in your prayers. The situation with Russia continues to be our greatest concern. Russia continues to increase the number of soldiers surrounding Ukraine and they have built forward bases with new railroad access to those bases. This does not look good. Additionally, Putin continues to say that he will protect the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine, including the members of the former Russian Orthodox Church (the Ukrainian Orthodox Church split off from Russia in January). Russia is still hindering Ukrainian shipping in the Azov and Black Sea areas. So, we don’t know what is next. Please pray.
Also, be praying for believers in Russia. In the beginning of February, the Russian government closed the Moscow Baptist Seminary. The Russian government under Putin continues to persecute evangelical believers and all religious groups that are not under the Russian Orthodox Church. Also, pray for Kiev Theological Baptist Seminary. KTS is a Russian-speaking seminary that provides education for evangelicals throughout the former Soviet Union. With the closure of the Moscow Seminary, KTS is trying to expand online classes to reach out to these Russian-speaking brethren.
Please remember to pray for the soldiers in eastern Ukraine. They are attacked 8-9 times each day and they have 6-10 casualties each week. Pray for our chaplains who are ministering to the soldier and to their families there.
Finally, pray for Ukraine as we enter elections in March. People are unsure who to vote for and it is really difficult to say who would be the best candidate. But it is important for Ukraine to remain united during the continuing conflict with Russia. Pray for smooth elections.
Thank you for your support and for your prayers. We are looking forward to seeing what gifts God will gifts to the church of Ukraine in the coming year! And we are praying that the people of Ukraine will receive the grace and mercy that He gives!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Kristina and Nadia
Teaching Resources International 