Human Paradoxes (PDF)

HUMAN PARADOXES \* Humans are finite, yet aware of infinity. \* Our existence is real but precarious. \* Individuals are unique, yet dependent on communities. \* Humans feel free, yet many aspects of our identity are unchosen. TENSION BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL \* Humans are a mixture of good and e...

HUMAN PARADOXES \* Humans are finite, yet aware of infinity. \* Our existence is real but precarious. \* Individuals are unique, yet dependent on communities. \* Humans feel free, yet many aspects of our identity are unchosen. TENSION BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL \* Humans are a mixture of good and evil. \* We condemn evil in others but excuse it in ourselves. \* The Christian faith acknowledges the complexity of human existence (good vs. evil, freedom vs. destiny). The BIBLE VIEW OF HUMANITY \* Humans are both creatures and made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). \* Creatureliness: implies purpose and dependency on a
Creator. \* Christianity provides a comprehensive view of human existence. Man as Creature \* Existence is purposeful, not a product of chance. \* Theological Tension: \* Some Christians accept evolutionary guidance by God. \* Others, like Seventh-day Adventists, believe in a literal creation account. Human Finitude and frailty \* Humans are finite and dependent on external circumstance survival. \* Human frailty is emphasized in the Bible (e.g., Psalm 90:5-6) \* We are bound by time, space, and circumstances beyond ou control. Understanding Human Corporeality \* Human beings exist as bodies, not just having bodies. \* Genesis 2:7: \"Man became a living being..\" \* Our physical bodies are integral to human existence. The Body as Constitutive of Human Existence The Importance of the Body \* Physical existence is inseparable from human life. \* Resurrection underscores the significance of the body (1
Corinthians 15:42, 44). \* The transition to eternal life is through bodily resurrection, not abandonment of it. The Goodness of the Body \* The body is inherently good and deserves care. \* Biblical examples: Adam and Eve provided food (Genesis 2:9, 16); Jesus promises to eat with disciples (Luke 22:16-18). \* Fasting is temporary, not meant for permanent hardship. Wholism vs Dualism \* Wholism: Body and soul are unified; humans cannot exist as mere spirits. \* Dualism: Separates body and soul; one can exist without the other. \* The Bible supports wholism; humans are indivisible beings. Human existence is fundamentally corporeal \* The body is not a temporary shell but part of the eternal human experience. \* Both the physical and spiritual aspects are integral to Christian understanding of life and resurrection. INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SEXUALITY Human Sexuality: A Biblical Perspective \* Sexuality as part of creation (Genesis 1:26). \* Humans are created male and female. \* Sexuality integrates physical, social, and emotional dimensions. Sexuality as Physical and Social \* Physical differences between male and female. \* Sexuality\'s social role in procreation and intimate expression. \* The complementary nature of male and female. Inequity- planned sin The Doctrine of Christ: Who Jesus Was Humanity\'s Proble and Religious Solutions \* Common Human Problem: Every religion identifies a problem with humanity. \* Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism):
Problem is finitude (separation from ultimate reality). \* Semitic Religions (Judaism, Islam): Problem is moral (sin). \* Christianity: Problem is moral but the solution is entirely God\'s gift, not earned through moral actions. Christianity's Unique Founder \* Jesus as the Center: Unlike other religious founders, Jesus is not merely a teacher. \* Buddha, Moses, Muhammad: Teachings are more important than their identity. \* Jesus: His identity as Messiah and Savior is central to Christianity. \* Christianity\'s doctrine of salvation is an interpretation of Jesus\' significance. Jesus relation to God \* Jesus and God: Jesus uniquely manifests God\'s presence. \* John 1:1, 14: \"The Word was with God, and the Word was God\... the Word became flesh.\" \* 2 Corinthians 5:19: \"In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself.\" \* John 14:6: Jesus as \"the way, the truth, and the life.\" Jesus and the kingdom of God \* Jesus as Messiah: The kingdom of God was the core of Jesus\' teaching. \* Sermon on the Mount: Focus on spiritual values over material or political power. \* Jesus\' miracles foreshadowed the kingdom\'s coming (no hunger, no disease, no death). \* Challenge: Jesus\' crucifixion initially disappointed many who expected a triumphant Messiah. \* Key Point: The resurrection corrected misunderstandings about Jesus\' mission and empowered the apostles to fulfill the gospel commission. \* Scripture Reference: Acts 2:23 \* Subpoint: The resurrection overturned the verdict of Jesus\' human exe utioners and vindicated Him. Evidence of Jesus\' Resurrection - The Empty iomb \* Key Point: The empty tomb is one of the main evidences for Jesus\' resurrection. \* Counter-Theories: \* Wrong tomb theory. \* Soon theory. \* Body removal theory. \* Conclusion: None of these theories hold up under scrutiny. Evidence of jesus resurrection-witness Key Point: Jesus\' followers claimed to see Him alive. \* Counter-Theories: \* The disciples were lying. \* Hallucination theory. \* Conclusion: Their testimonies, willingness to suffer, and detailed reports make these alternative explanations implausible. Conclusion- The significance of Jesus' resurrection \* Key Point: The resurrection confirms Jesus\' unique relationship with God and validates the Christian claim of His divine-human nature. \* Subpoint: Believing in the resurrection is an inteligent, evidence-supported position. The Humanity of Jesus Content: Jesus exhibited human traits: weariness, hunger, thirst, emotions (John 11:35). Jesus\' childhood followed typical human development (Luke 2:52). Key scriptures: Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:30- 35. Jesus as High Priest \* Content: \* Jesus faced temptations and spiritual struggles, but remained sinless. \* Hebrews 2:18, 4:15: His temptations offer encouragement for believers. The incarnation \* Content: \* Christ\'s preexistence as divine and His assumption of human nature. \* Philippians 2:5-8: Christ \"emptied Himself\" to become human. \* The Incarnation is a permanent act. Divine Power in jesus' life \* Content: \* Jesus had divine power but chose not to use it for personal advantage. \* His reliance on God the Father was a sign of servanthood. \* Example: Temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Content: \* Jesus\' humanity was sinless, similar to Adam\'s before the fall (Romans 5:12-21). \* His temptations reveal a superior moral character, enduring them without sin. \* His victory came by faith, offering an example for believers. Summary of the doctrine of Christ \* Content: \* Jesus revealed the full character of God in human form. \* The Incarnation shows God\'s desire to serve humanity and invites us to respond to His love. \* John 14:9: \"He wno has seen me has seen the Father.\" THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST: WHAT JESUS DID Introduction to Atonement \* Main Point: The Christian doctrine of atonement centers on Jesus as the means of human salvation. \* Key Verse: \"In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself\" (1 Cor 5:19). \* Key Thought: Jesus\' life and death deliver humanity from the consequences of sin JESUS'S LIFE AND WORK \* Main Point: Jesus\' incarnation and sinless life are essential to his saving work. \* Verse: \"There is salvation in no one else\" (Acts 4:12). \* Key Thought: Salvation is tied to who Jesus was (the Son of God) and what he did on earth. Jesus\' Sinlessness Main Point: Jesus lived a sinless life, which was necessary for Him to be our Savior. Implications: Provides a pattern for human behavior and the possibility of moral victory. Verse: \"He committed no sin\" (1 Pet 2:22). The Cross: Jesus\' Death Main Point: The cross is central to Jesus\' mission and the work of salvation. Key Thought: Jesus bore the divine judgment for sin, experiencing complete separation from God. Verse: \"He made him to be sin who knew no sin\" (2 Cor 5:21). The Accomplishment of the Cross \* Main Point: Jesus\' death on the cross reconciled humanity to God and redeemed us from sin. Key Concepts: \* Reconciliation: God restores peace and fellowship (2 Cor 5:19). \* Redemption: Deliverance from sin and its consequences (Eph 1:7). WHY JESUS DIED? The Central Question of Salvation \* How does Christ\'s death solve the problem of sin? \* No consensus on a single theory of atonement. \* Overview of key theories. The Ransom Theory Christ\'s Victory Over Sin and Death \* Based on early Christian thought. \* Christ as the ransom paid to defeat sin and death. \* Portrays the atonement as God\'s victory over Satan. Introduced by Anselm in the 11th century. Sin offends God\'s honor and demands satisfaction. Christ\'s death as both human and divine repays the infinite debt of sin. The Moral Influence Theory A Revelation of God\'s Love \* Emphasizes the impact of Christ\'s death on humanity. \* Christ\'s death as a demonstration of God\'s love to inspire love in return. \* The obstacle to reconciliation lies within human perception of God\'s character. Evaluating the Theories Strengths and Weaknesses of Atonement Theories \* Ransom Theory: Highlights God\'s saving work, but can become too literalistic. \* Satisfaction Theory: Stresses the seriousness of sin, but may overemphasize substitution. \* Moral Influence Theory: Shows God\'s love but may not fully address the cost of sin. Conclusion The Depth of Divine Love and Judgment \* Atonement is not just a solution to sin, but a demonstration of God\'s love. \* God\'s wrath and love are intertwined; sin is taken seriously because of love. \* The cross remains a mystery that challenges and inspires us forever