Biblical worldview and alternative theories of humanity

John Example THEO 202 B63

Biblical Worldview: Views of Humanity Introduction

I. Alternative Theories of Humanity First Theory: Man as … an animal. The theory of man as animal became popular first in the nineteen century when Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution. From this theory, a human being is nothing but an advanced primate. This theory became popular again around the beginning of the twentieth century, when psychologists like Ivan Pavlov used a materialistic and deterministic approach to study human behavior. Applying what he learned from dogs salivating at the sound of a bell, Pavlov suggested that human beings are also animalistic in their responses to stimuli.

Second Theory: Man as … a pawn of the universe.

II. Major Thinkers and their Schools of Thought 1. The two most important thinkers in the “man as an animal” theory include Charles Darwin and Ivan Pavlov. Darwin proposed, for the first time in history, that human beings evolved from primates. This view has been used to discredit the Biblical creation story. Psychologists like Ivan Pavlov also applied the “man as an animal” theory to their work in behaviorism. Focusing only on lower instincts of human beings, these psychologists displayed a limited view of human beings that did not take into account spiritual issues.

2. The nihilistic philosophers like Nietzsche and existentialists like Camus posited that “man is a pawn of the universe.” This pessimistic view presents human beings as having no control over their own destiny, like the story of Sisyphus (Erickson 3).

III. The Biblical View of Humanity Biblical Foundation of the Doctrine of Humanity Human beings were created in God’s image. This fundamental truth is so important that it is explicated in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis: “God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,” (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, God not only created mankind but also endowed human beings and their civilizations with purpose. Their purpose is “to rule” or have dominion over the earth, showing that God intended for human beings to have a special, and lofty role in the grand scheme of things. Human beings are beholden to God because they have this special purpose.

Theological Summary of the Doctrine of Humanity IV. Compare and Contrast Views of Humanity First Theory: Man as … an animal 1. The man as an animal theory completely contradicts the Bible. Genesis clearly outlines the process of Creation, not evolution. Nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that human beings evolved from lower creatures. On the contrary, the Bible is clear that human beings have divinely ordained control over other creatures and are superior to them.

2. The man as animal theory does, however, show how and why man sins. Some sins are committed from the animal instincts that dwell within human beings, like lust. The Bible does show that human beings will stray from God, but also that they will be punished when they do so. Thus, the Bible shows how God uses Pavlov’s classical conditioning to try and encourage human beings to change their behavior.

Second Theory: Man as … a pawn of the universe 1. This theory contradicts the bible because God does not use human beings as a means to an end. Rather, human beings may mistakenly believe that they are pawns when in reality, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell,” (Matthew 10:28). 2. This theory does indicate that there is a limit to man’s free will, which is Biblically supported. Of course, God is the architect of life and no human being can have full control over his or her own destiny.