Christian anthropology is the study of human nature from a biblical perspective. It seeks to understand who we are as human beings in light of God’s revelation in Scripture. Here is an overview of some key topics in Christian anthropology:
Creation
The Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This sets humanity apart from the rest of creation and gives us dignity and worth. Being made in God’s image means we have the capacity for things like morality, rationality, relationships, and worship. As image-bearers, we are called to reflect God’s character and operate as His representatives on earth by exercising dominion and stewardship over creation (Genesis 1:28).
Fall
However, the Bible also teaches that humans are fallen creatures. Adam and Eve’s disobedience towards God introduced sin into the human experience (Genesis 3). This affects us in several ways. We now have a propensity towards sin and evil. Our relationship with God is broken. We experience physical and spiritual death. And we suffer under the curse of living in a fallen creation (Genesis 3:14-19). The fall impacts every dimension of our humanity.
Nature of Humanity
Christian anthropology recognizes that humans have both material and immaterial aspects. We have physical bodies created from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). But we also have non-physical souls/spirits given to us by God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This makes us both earthly and heavenly in nature. Our physical and spiritual components are meant to be integrated and work together, not viewed dualistically as the Gnostics and some other groups have argued. Christian anthropology is holistic.
Body, Soul, Spirit
There is much discussion about the precise relationship between body, soul and spirit. Are they distinct entities or different aspects of a unified whole? Here are three main views:
- Trichotomism – This view sees body, soul and spirit as three distinct and separate components that make up human nature.
- Dichotomism – This view sees humans as having two basic aspects: physical and spiritual. The soul and spirit are seen as different terms for the spiritual component.
- Monism – This view sees humans as a unified whole. Body, soul and spirit describe different functions or capacities of an integrated being.
Each view has its reasoned arguments from Scripture. But there is no definitive consensus on which position is correct. The important point is that humans have both physical and spiritual realities, regardless of how they are parsed.
Mind, Will, Emotions
Human beings have been created with a complex psychological makeup. Three important aspects are:
- Mind – Our ability to think, reason and process information.
- Will – Our ability to make choices and decisions.
- Emotions – Our feelings and affections in response to experiences.
A Christian anthropology recognizes that while our mind, will and emotions have been negatively impacted by sin and the fall, they also give us the capacity for things like logic, self-control, morality, relationships, appreciation of beauty, and worship. As we grow in sanctification, these psychological facets are being restored.
Relational Nature
Human beings have been made for relationship. We see this in the intra-personal relationship between man and woman in the beginning (Genesis 2:18-25). And also in the original human relationship with God, where Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Even though sin damages our connections, we are still made for relationship with God and others. This relational capacity reflects our being made in the image of a relational Triune God.
Meaning and Purpose
As human beings we have an innate desire for meaning and purpose. The Westminster Shorter Catechism famously summarizes human purpose as “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Our greatest meaning is found in fulfilling the purpose for which we’ve been created – to be in right relationship with God and reflect His glory in our lives. Sin distorts our understanding of meaning and purpose, but in Christ our true purpose is restored.
Uniqueness of Humans
Christian anthropology affirms that human beings stand apart from the rest of the physical creation. Evolution struggles to account for things like consciousness, abstract reasoning, appreciation of beauty, morality, and worship. The biblical worldview maintains that humans bear God’s image in a substantive way that nothing else in creation does. We are similar to animals in some ways yet distinct in other more fundamental ways.
Value of Human Life
Because we are made in God’s image and He cares intimately for us, human life has intrinsic value and worth (Matthew 6:26; 10:29-31). This truth undergirds ethics, human rights, social justice, and morality. It means no life can be arbitrarily devalued, whether that be the unborn, disabled, elderly or any other vulnerable demographic. All people deserve love and dignity.
Personhood
What makes someone a person? Christian anthropology argues that personhood begins at conception. This is because personhood is grounded in being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and there is continuity between the embryo and the fully developed human. Differences in age, size, physical abilities or mental capacities do not negate a human’s personhood in biblical teaching.
Gender and Sexuality
The Bible teaches that God created humanity male and female (Genesis 1:27). Gender is viewed as a creational norm, not a social construct or spectrum. Human sexuality also has a created intent – the expression of marital love between husband and wife (Genesis 2:24-25). Christian anthropology upholds heterosexual monogamy as the ideal, while speaking candidly about how sin can distort sexuality in various ways.
Racial Unity
From a biblical anthropology, race has no actual biological basis – we are all descendents of Adam and Eve and share common ancestry (Acts 17:26). Race is a social construct, not an essential property of human nature. The Church is meant to be comprised of people from every tribe, tongue and nation in one unified family (Revelation 5:9). In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female (Galatians 3:28).
Flourishing
What does it mean for humans to live well and flourish? In the biblical paradigm, human flourishing encompasses knowing God and delighting in a right relationship with Him. It also includes living according to His creational design in all spheres of life – physical, social, psychological, vocational etc. True fulfillment comes from glorifying God and enjoying Him forever, in alignment with His purposes for us.
Sin and Depravity
While created good, humans now have a natural inclination towards sin and rebellion against God due to inherited depravity (Ephesians 2:1-3). This affects every part of us – our minds, wills, emotions, relationships, and bodies. It mars the image of God but does not completely erase it. This propensity towards sin impacts our ability to interpret anthropological truths accurately apart from divine revelation.
Glorification
The ultimate goal of Christian anthropology is glorification – where our humanity is completely restored and redeemed. Believers look forward to the resurrection of the dead when we will receive new bodies free from sin, suffering and brokenness (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). We will then reflect God’s image perfectly for eternity as redeemed creatures in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5).
Conclusion
This overview covers some of the major aspects of a biblical perspective on human nature. Christian anthropology provides a rich and comprehensive understanding of who we are as human beings. Grounding anthropological insights in God’s revelation ensures we have an accurate view of humanity that resists reductionism or distortion. A biblical view of human nature reveals our true origin, identity, meaning, purpose and destiny.