Part 2: The Doctrine of Man
In our previous article, we explored the grand Doctrine of Creation, establishing God as the sole, sovereign Creator of all things ex nihilo. As we delve into the second foundational doctrine in our series, “Genesis: The Foundation of Biblical Doctrines,” we turn our attention to the pinnacle of God’s creative work: humanity.
Our text for today is Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:7, which describe the unique and purposeful creation of man.
Genesis 1:26–28 (NASB 2020): “Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” So 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 God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””
Genesis 2:7 (NASB 2020): “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.”
Background: Two Creation Accounts?
Some interpret Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 as two distinct and possibly contradictory creation accounts. However, a closer look at the structure of Genesis reveals a different understanding. The phrase “This is the account of the heavens and the earth…” in Genesis 2:4 is key. The Hebrew word toledoth (תּוֹלֵדוֹת) translated as “account,” means a record, history, or generations. This phrase marks the beginning of a new narrative focusing on people and events, serving as a literary marker throughout Genesis. There are ten such narratives, for example:
- Genesis 5:1: “This is the book of the generations of Adam.”
- Genesis 6:9: “These are the records of the generations of Noah.”
- Genesis 10:1: “Now these are the records of the generations of the sons of Noah.”
Therefore, Genesis 2:4-7 is not a second creation account but rather a more detailed elaboration of the third stage of creation introduced in Genesis 1, with mankind as its central focus. Genesis 1 provides the cosmic overview, while Genesis 2 zooms in on the specific details concerning the preparation of the earth for humanity and the creation of man himself. The earth was “empty” (Genesis 2:5-6), meaning it was not yet prepared for life as God intended, specifically for man. Genesis 2:7 then directly follows, highlighting the pivotal moment of man’s creation.
Since the Garden of Eden, humanity has been the focal point of the spiritual battle between good and evil. Satan relentlessly seeks to destroy mankind, leveraging both ignorance of the true God and knowledge that breeds pride and arrogance. What Satan understands, and what we often overlook, is the profound significance of how man was created by God.
The Doctrine of Man: God’s Unique Creation
The Doctrine of Man teaches us that God created humanity in the most wonderful way, with the ultimate purpose of becoming His people for all eternity.
Psalm 8:3–9 (NASB 2020): “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place; What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
Man is truly the most unique of all creation, designed to be God’s eternal family.
How is Man a Unique Creation of God?
1. Man was Created in the Image of God
Genesis 1:26–27 (NASB 2020): “Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Contrast this with the creation of other living creatures on Day 6:
Genesis 1:24–25 (NASB 2020): “Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according to their kind”; and it was so. God made the animals of the earth according to their kind, and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.”
Animals were created “according to their kind,” meaning a category of things with common characteristics. But man was not created “according to his own kind”; instead, he was created in the image of God. This distinction is crucial: God did not “produce His own kind”—otherwise, there would be many gods. Man is not a god like God is; he is not of the same “kind” as God in essence, for God is self-existent.
The use of “image” and “likeness” in Genesis 1:26-27 is a literary device to add emphasis. These words are often used interchangeably, as seen in:
- Genesis 5:1–3: Adam was made “in the likeness of God,” and Adam fathered a son “in his own likeness, according to his image.”
- Deuteronomy 5:8: Refers to a “carved image, or any likeness.”
Man was created from pre-existing “materials” in two senses:
- First, the “image of God” as a pattern: God had a pre-existing image from which man was patterned. This image is none other than the Son of God.Colossians 1:15 (NASB 2020): “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:”2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB 2020): “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”Note that Christ is the image of God, while man is made in the image of God.
- Second, “the dust of the ground” as the material:Genesis 2:7 (NASB 2020): “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.”This is affirmed after the Fall (Genesis 3:19) and by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:47–48).
Significance of Being Made “In the Image of God”:
- Man bears a resemblance to God in his physical features.Ezekiel 1:26 (NASB 2020): “Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.”This “figure” (Heb. demuth, likeness) with the “appearance” (Heb. mareh, visual appearance) of a man suggests a profound connection in form.
- Man bears a resemblance to God in his capabilities. Humanity can reason, feel, and make decisions (though not to reason against God’s word, but against opposing ideas). We can create (using existing materials), procreate (Malachi 2:15 points to God seeking godly offspring), and were given authority. God wants humanity to reflect Him – to look like Him, act like Him, behave like Him, and think and feel like Him.
2. Man was Made Male and Female
Genesis 1:27 (NASB 2020): “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Mankind is uniquely composed of two sexes: male and female. This truth was unequivocally affirmed by Christ Himself:
Matthew 19:4 (NASB 2020): “And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,”
The point is clear: All other “genders” outside of God’s original design are not from Him. The invention of additional genders fundamentally undermines God’s creative work and the image of God in humanity.
Furthermore, both male and female genders equally bear the image of God, in their physical features and capabilities. This means both men and women are equally important to God, equally cared for by Him, and both have their proper and vital place in God’s divine plan.
3. Man was Made to be a Living Person
Genesis 2:7 (NASB 2020): “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.”
The phrase “living person” (Heb. nephesh hayyah) denotes a “living being.” This implies two significant aspects:
- Self-consciousness: Man is the only being created with full consciousness and awareness of himself. While animals possess instincts and basic abilities, only man has a profound sense of “self.” This is often referred to as the soul.
- God-consciousness: Man is uniquely endowed with the knowledge and awareness of God. He can speak with God, feel His presence, and engage in spiritual communion. Animals have no such capacity.
The critical point here is that man is not merely a spirit temporarily inhabiting a body, nor just a body with a spirit. Man is a complete being: body, soul, and spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NASB 2020): “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
While the human spirit can exist outside the body temporarily (e.g., after death), this is not its permanent or ideal state. The spirit and physical parts of a person are ultimately destined to reunite for their final, eternal state.
Conclusion
Man is truly God’s most unique creation! Even after the Fall, the uniqueness of humanity remains, and the image of God, though marred by sin, is still present and upheld by God Himself:
Genesis 9:6 (NASB 2020): “Whoever sheds human blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made mankind.”
The wonders of God’s creation in us are still astounding:
Psalm 139:14–18 (NASB 2020): “I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You When I was made in secret, And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.”
How much more profound is this truth now that you have been redeemed from sin and restored into fellowship with God through Christ! Rejoice in the magnificent work of God in you. Do not succumb to the enemy’s lies that your body is a mistake, or that you are not the man or woman God designed you to be. Any idea that contradicts God’s perfect design for male and female is contrary to His will, evil, and an abomination.
You were created to CONNECT with God through your spirit, and you were made to CREATE like God, using existing materials for His glory!
