Table of Contents
WHAT IS MAN?
Paper by: Ralph Thoren
This question has puzzled mankind since the beginning. Who hasn’t stared up into a star filled sky and just wondered? Who are we? Why are we here? And What is our purpose? All big questions that cannot be answered by man alone. Yes, we can guess, theorize and conjure up all sorts of answers, but only the creator has the full knowledge. So, lets discuss what we do know and see if we can draw some conclusions from it.
Before charging into the “Who we are?”, Let’s look at what we are with the help of other interpretations. Most all agree that man has a physical body, much like other mammals on the planet. What makes man different in a big way is the ability to reason, ponder, think and grow in a much more profound way than any of the other mammals and much faster. It’s as if man has a helper and a mentor to give an advantage over all the other animals and creatures of the world. The bible say’s in Genesis 1:27-28 God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” This gives us an idea of what we are but there are different viewpoints with different ideas. Most agree that man is composed of at least two parts, a material body and an immaterial soul. There are many passages in the Bible that support this, I will state one passage that is very clear. And Jesus said, Mathew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. It’s clear that man is composed of both body and soul. But is there more?
Most if not all believe man is a material body. A living breathing mammal that has made progress since his (her) origin. Many believe man consists of both a material body and a soul. Some believe that the soul consists of lower functions and others believe the soul includes the Spirit.
Ok, let’s not forget that God is spirit.
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Keep this in mind while considering the following.
– So, “Who are we?” could be answered in what we believe or our faith.
- Man could be body only, coming from some unknown accident that lives and dies in bodily form only.
- Man could be body and soul still a little unclear about origin and purpose, but clearly accepting that man is two part. Material body and immaterial soul. Or
- Man could be body, soul and spirit. Ahh, Spirit —- and God created man in his own image, Genesis 1:27-28 New International Version (NIV) 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Belief and faith in number 1 above leaves us with an empty purposeless life that ends in human death.
Belief and faith in number 2 leaves us with similar circumstance, however adding curiosity of the unknown to the mix.
Belief and faith in number 3 brings us closer to our creator, puts us in communication with our mentor, ”The Holy spirit” and helps us understand our role and purpose.
PURPOSE
Our purpose is clear in Bible history. Our
Lord Jesus makes it simple when teaching us how to pray:
Matthew 6:9-13 New International Version (NIV)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
As a faithful believer with “The Holy Spirit” as our mentor. Our purpose is clear. We are not in control and never will be. Our purpose is to listen, learn, teach when ears want to hear and act when moved.
CONCLUSION
I would like to conclude with lyrics to John Lennon’s “Imagine” Feel free to imagine the music while reading the lyrics.
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today (ah ah ah)
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
Now I would like to add a possible final verse :
Imagine all the people
Finally finding the way
They all accept the Lord Jesus
On that glorious day
All with the same spirit
All with the same love
Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Give direction and comfort
To all who follow
The perch of the dove
What John could imagine. The Lord can do.
