Fall 2008 Online Certificate Students:
View all sessions below. Then log all your comments, questions, discussion question answers, criticisms, or thoughts below. Time spent in the comments section will apply toward your one hour of community time per week. To download audio sessions, visit the course homepage on the TTP site.
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What is biblical anthropology? What is sin? Why did God create the world? Was He lonely? Does He want worship and glory? If so, is God egotistical? This is an introductory session to the entire course. The main purpose is to convince the student of the importance of the doctrines of humanity and sin. Unfortunately, many, if not most, Christians have never dealt critically with these issues from a biblical/theological position. The main goal of this session is that the student will leave convinced that this study is a vital understanding that it affects our worldview at a foundational level. Here we will spend much time on the basic question, “Why did God create man?”, understanding that people have many assumed answers to this question, but these answers are usually built upon a misunderstanding of God’s nature.
Part 1: Class Introduction [14:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Part 2: What is anthropology [10:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Part 3: Why did God create man? [18:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Part 4: Why did God create man? (cont.) [19:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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August 28th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Session 1
1. Understanding the doctrine of humanity helps us to better understand the doctrine of God, as we are created in His image. Though we don’t fully reflect God’s image in our current, fallen state, we still retain some aspects His image. Even our sinful nature provides a comparison that allows us to see our more godly nature and better understand God’s nature. Also, to understand the doctrine of God, we need to consider the untarnished qualities and characteristics of man (Adam and Eve) prior to the fall and to reflect on the life modeled by Jesus during his ministry on earth.
2. How you view humanity absolutely affects your views on sociology, psychology, politics, how you view yourself and others. If you believe all of humanity was created in the image of God, then it would affect your views on abortion, social security and foreign affairs. It will also affect your behavior towards those who don’t share your worldview and those with a more apparent sinful nature (i.e. rapists, killers, dictators etc). It would mean that all humans have inherent value and therefore require being treated with dignity (though not necessarily tolerance). The difficulty though, is that if you vote “pro-life” based on the belief that all life is sacred, then to have a consistent worldview, you would have to extend that same respect and compassion toward those that you may not feel as respectful of.
3. The question of “Why did God create man” is a cornerstone to understanding the nature of God. For example, if you say God created us for companionship or for us to worship Him, then your view of God would (incorrectly) be that He is needy and egotistical. On the other hand, if you understand that God is not in need of anything, but that He created us to share in His glory, your perception of Him will be that He is loving, creative and gracious; qualities that are more in keeping with Scripture. We are created to glorify God, not out of ego, but because He is worthy of glorification. God gave us free will. This proves that God did not create us as puppets to worship Him. He wants us to choose to worship Him, to choose a relationship with Him and to choose His way. Recognizing that God created us to glorify Him, gives us inherent dignity and gives our lives true purpose with an eye toward eternity.
4. I think the Bible is explicit in stating that we are created to glorify God. The 10 commandments provide a blueprint of how to live our lives in a way that glorifies Him. But, to truly glorify God, we need to choose God’s ways out of love, understanding and a changed heart. Jesus taught and modeled that we are to live by the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law. But ultimately, I don’t think words could adequately describe why God created us and what He has in store for us.
5. This lesson helped me to see that these passages indicate Gods love and generosity. We are beneath Him, yet he shows concern for us and gives us dignity, glory and responsibility over His creation.
6. These passages clearly indicate that God does not need anything from us. He is the Creator; therefore, everything belongs to Him. He wants us to glorify Him with sincerity. The passages imply that God may even resent our legalistic worship and sacrifices.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Oops…missed 2 questions.
7. God created us to worship and glorify him because He is worthy of worship and glorification, not because He needs us to worship or glorify him. This gives us great value as human beings and gives our lives great purpose.
8. I’m challenged by the whole topic of “Why did God create us”? Specifically, the idea that God needs nothing yet created us to glorify Him is challenging, but more understandable after this lesson.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Discussion Questions Lesson 1
Discussion Question #1
Because we are created in the image of God, we need to understand our unique existence and purpose. We need to value human life as it was intended to be valued. When we deny that value, we face the possibility of denying life to others.
Discussion Question #2
If the political issues were considered by God’s moral standards, there would not be “issues” for long. But because man is in a fallen state and varies in his understanding of God, these issues arise and threaten our very consideration of the value of all life.
Discussion Question #3
Everyone needs a purpose to find value within their selves. Some search for their value in jobs, families, volunteer activities, while all the time God gives them value simply by their existence.
Discussion Question #4
I think God has been very explicit. I think it is man always thinking that there should be more; that it can’t really be this straight forward.
Discussion Question #5
This lesson shows that God has a definite purpose for each of us and shows proof that due to the fact that He has allowed each of us to exist.
Discussion Question #6
It shows that we are not needed and there is nothing we can do to make our existence more necessary.
Discussion Question #7
We do this when we allude to the proposition that God needs to be glorified by us; when actuality, it is because He as created us that we glorify Him.
Discussion Question #8
My thinking ha been more affirmed than challenged. I have always believed that God is self-sufficient.