In our march through Christian orthodoxy, this week we’ll be talking about something that should interest all of us: us.  That’s right, we’re talking about man (or humankind, if you want to be more PC).  There are two main areas that we need to cover, and both are immensely important and have some immediate applications.  I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to look at the verses below, think about the questions, and come prepared ready to discuss these doctrines and ask any related questions you have.

First we’ll discuss what it is to be made in the “image and likeness of God”, or in the imago Dei for those who  like to wax Latin.  Primarily, the text for this comes in the creation narrative of Genesis 1:26 and 5:1-2.  Have you ever stopped to think about what it means that you, your parents, all of your friends, your great great great great great step aunt once removed, and Pastor Whipple are all made in the image and likeness of Almighty God?  What does that mean anyway?  If God is masculine, how do women bear His image?  In what ways are we like God?  In what ways do we reflect His character and nature?  How should that affect how we view and treat other people made in His image?

We’ll move on to what will most likely take the bulk of our time…it’s the messy subject of sin.  We are not, as some have and do contend, born sinless with a clean slate (tabula rasa, again for all the Latin fans in the audience).  Indeed, we find that every human ever conceived, with the notable exception of Jesus Christ, was conceived and born enslaved to sin, completely corrupted in heart and mind.  Check out Romans 3:9-18, Romans 5:12-21, and Ephesians 2:1-3 for starters.  It is clear from the witness of Scripture that every human is sinful from the start, and that without the intervention of divine sovereign saving grace, we would NEVER choose God, we would NEVER go after Him, we would NEVER do anything for Him or for His glory, and we would rightly be damned to hell.  This is the weighty and awful doctrine of the total depravity of man.  We will, Lord willing, flesh this idea out a bit more.  When we understand our total inability to save ourselves or turn to God, it makes His grace all the more glorious.  As you read, think about these questions…where did our original sin come from?  What are the implications of being completely enslaved to sin and unable to turn to God?  What about free will…where does that come in?

Looking forward to our time together on Sunday!  My notes can be seen here .