Chapter 11: Man in His Original State – Being Taught that We may Teach

From the discussion of the doctrine of God we pass on to that of man, the crown of God’s handiwork.

1. The Essential Elements of Human Nature. The usual view is that man consists of two parts, body and soul. This is in harmony with the self-consciousness of man, and is also borne out by a study of Scripture, which speaks of man as consisting of “body and soul” (Matthew 6:25; 10:28), or of “body and spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7; 1 Corinthians 5:3, 5) Some are of the opinion that the words ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ denote different elements, and that therefore man consists of three parts, body, soul, and spirit. (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23) It is evident, however, that the two words ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ are used interchangeably. Death is sometimes described as a giving up of the soul (Genesis 35:18; 1 Kings 17:21), and sometimes as the giving up of the spirit. (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59) The dead are in some cases named “souls” (Revelation 9:6; 20:4), and in others ‘spirits.’ (1 Pet 3:19; Hebrews 12:23) The two terms denote the spiritual element in man from different points of view. As spirit it is the principle of life and action, which controls the body, and as soul it is the personal subject, which thinks and feels and wills, and in some cases the seat of the affections.

2. The Origin of the Soul in Each Individual. There are three views respecting the origin of the individual souls.

a. Pre-existentialism. Some advocated the idea that the souls of men existed in a previous state, and that something that happened then accounts for their present condition. A few found in this an explanation of the fact that man is born as a sinner. This view finds no favor now.

b. Traducianism. According to this View men derive their souls as well as their bodies from their parents. This is the common view in the Lutheran Church. Support for it is found in the fact that nothing is said about the creation of Eve’s soul, and that descendants are said to be in the loins of their Fathers. (Genesis 46:26; Hebrews 7:9, 10) Furthermore, it seems to be favored by the fact that in the case of animals both body and soul are passed on from the old to the young, by the inheritance of family traits and peculiarities, and by the inheritance of sinful corruption, which is a matter of the soul more than of the body. However, it is burdened with serious difficulties. It either makes the parents creators, or assumes that the soul of man can be divided into various parts. Moreover, it endangers the sinlessness of Jesus.

c. Creationism. This holds that each soul is a direct creation of God, of which the time cannot be precisely determined. The soul is supposed to be created pure, but to become sinful even before birth by entering into that complex of sin by which humanity as a whole is burdened. This view is common in Reformed circles. It is favored by the fact that Scripture represents the body and the soul of man as having different origins. (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Isaiah 42:5; Zechariah 12:1; Hebrews 12:9) Moreover, it is more in harmony with the spiritual nature of the soul, and safeguards the sinlessness of Jesus. It is not free from difficulties, however. It does not explain the inheritance of family traits, and may seem to make God the Creator of sinful souls.

3. Man as the Image of God. The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God. According to Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The two words ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ evidently denote the same thing. The following passages show that they are used interchangeably. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9) The word ‘likeness’ probably stresses the fact that the image is most like or very similar. There are different views of the image of God in man:

a. The Roman Catholic view: Roman Catholics find the image of God in certain natural gifts with which man is endowed, such as the spirituality of the soul, the freedom of the will, and immortality. To these God added a supernatural gift, called original righteousness, to keep the lower nature in check. This is supposed to constitute man’s likeness to God.

b. The Lutheran view: The Lutherans are not all agreed on this point, but the prevailing opinion is that the image of God consists only in those spiritual qualities with which man was endowed at creation, namely, true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. These may be designated original righteousness. This view is too restricted.

c. The Reformed view: The Reformed distinguish between the natural and the moral image of God. The former is the broader of the two, and is generally said to consist in man’s spiritual, rational, moral, and immortal being. This was obscured but not lost by sin. The latter is the image of God in the more restricted sense, and consists in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. This was lost by sin and is restored in Christ. (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10) Since man retained the image in the broader sense, he can still be called the image or image-bearer of God. (Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; 15:49; James 3:9)

4. Man in the Covenant of Works

God at once entered into covenant relationship with man. This original covenant is called the covenant of works.

a. Scripture proof for the covenant of works.

1. Paul draws a parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5:12-21. In Adam all men died, but in Christ all those who are His are made alive. This means that Adam was the representative head of all men, just as Christ is now the representative head of all those who are His.
2. In Hosea 6:7 we read: “But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant“. Adam’s sin is called a transgression of the covenant.

b. The elements of the covenant of works.

1. The parties. A covenant is always a compact between two parties. In this case they are the triune God, the sovereign Lord of the universe, and Adam as the representative of the human race. Since these parties are very unequal, the covenant naturally partakes of the nature of an arrangement imposed on man.
2. The promise. The promise of the covenant was the promise of life in the highest sense, life raised above the possibility of death. This is what believers now receive through Christ, the last Adam.
3. The condition. The condition was that of absolute obedience. The positive command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was clearly a test of pure obedience.
4. The penalty. The penalty was death in the most inclusive sense of the word, physical, spiritual, and eternal. This consists not only in the separation of body and soul, but more fundamentally in the separation of the soul from God.
5. The sacrament(s). In all probability the tree of life was the only sacrament of this covenant–if it was indeed a sacrament. It seems to have been appointed as a symbol and seal of life.

c. The present validity of the covenant of works. Arminians hold that this covenant was wholly set aside. But this is not correct. The demand of perfect obedience still stands for those who do not accept the righteousness of Christ. (Leviticus 18:5; Galatians 3:12) Though they cannot meet the requirement, the condition stands. It holds no more, however, for those who are in Christ, since He met the demands of the law for them. It ceased to be a way of life, for as such it is powerless after the fall.

To Memorize:

Passages bearing on:

a. The elements of human nature:

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

b. The creation of the soul:

then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)

c. Man’s creation in the image of God:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. (Genesis 9:6)

d. Man in general even now tie image of God:

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. (Genesis 9:6)
With it we bless [our] Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; (James 3:9)

e. The restoration of the image of God in man:

and put on the new self, which in [the likeness of] God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him (Colossians 3:10)

f. The covenant of works:

But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me. (Hosea 6:7)
If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22)

For Further Study:

a. How would you explain the passages which seem to imply that man consists of three elements.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
(For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (Matthew 22:37)

b. Does man’s dominion over the rest of creation also form part of the image of God?

Then God said, “Let Us make man 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 cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” … (28) 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 1:26, 28)
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (7) All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, (8) The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. (Psalm 8:6-8)
For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. (6) But one has testified somewhere, saying, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? (7) “YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; (8) YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. (9) But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:5-9)

c. What indications of a covenant can you find in Gen. 2 and 3?

Questions for Review

What is the usual view of the elements of human nature, and how can this be proved?
What other view is there, and what passages seem to support it?
What different views are there as to the origin of the soul?
What are the arguments for, and the objections to each one of these?
Do the words ‘image’ and likeness denote different things?
What is the Roman Catholic, the Lutheran, and the Reformed view of the image of God in man?
What distinction do the Reformed make, and why is it, important?
What Bible proof have we for the covenant of works?
Who are the parties in the covenants?
What is the promise, the condition, the penalty, and the sacrament of the covenants?
In what sense does this covenant still hold?
In what sense is it abolished?