Human Nature and Purpose

Christian Worldview Human Nature and Purpose (God-Centered Humans, Results of Replacing God as the Center) Objectives: Describe the Christian view of human nature and purpose Analyze basic understanding of human purpose and flourishing from the perspective of various worldview families Identify the consequences of the fall of humanity into sin Chapter 4 : Departure From Wisdom Key Terms: Conquest  the taking over of the land of Canaan by the Israelites, as recorded in the biblical book of Joshua Covenant  a solemn agreement between two parties in which both parties swear an oath to keep their end of the agreement Exile  the removal of a people from their land Exodus  term meaning to go out, but when applied to the Bible it references God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt Fall  a theological expression that speaks to the second act of the biblical story in which Adam and Eve did not believe God and sinned when tempted by the devil Idolatry  the act of ascribing ultimate value or worth to anything other than God, which within the Christian worldview, is to put anything before God Judges  political office in ancient Israel found in the book of Judges: the judges in Israel were primarily rulers and military leaders who were raised up by God to lead the people out of bondage under foreign oppressors Patriarch  term used to describe the early Israelites fathers of the faith, namely Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Protoevangelion  the first gospel, which appears in Genesis 3:15 Redemption  the purchase of something or someone out of bondage by a greater party; the action of Jesus redeeming or buying people back from the bondage of sin by paying the penalty for sin through his death and resurrection in order to set them free from sin for relationship with him Humanity falls into sin – ultimate departure from wisdom Adam and Eve’s sin cause separation between God and humanity Temptation and Fall: The 2nd Act of Biblical Story 2nd act of biblical story is temptation and fall Fall shows man’s departure from wisdom and affair with idolatry 2nd act marked by sin, death, suffering and separation from God Created order turned upside down Humanity: Fallen Image Bearers Humanity created to have life Fall introduced sin into world; led to enterance of death in world Christian worldview has 2 major assertions o Humans are created in the image of God o All humans are sinful by nature Referred to as depravity or original sin Divine Promise and Hope Sin and death extend throughout Israel’s history Other side of story  God working toward redemption The Results of the Fall: Sin and Death Death entered world because of humanity into sin Story of Cain/Abel shows broken relationship: o Human to human o Humanity and God External conformity is not only thing God desires Descendants looking for someone to bring rest and reverse curse Flood narrative shows man’s rampant sinfulness and self-centeredness 5 major Biblical Covenants o Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6-9) o Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12-17) o Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-20) o Davidic Covenant (II Samuel 7) o New Covenant (Jerimiah 31, Matthew 26:26-29) Covenants made with humans show that God is a relational God; trying to reconcile sinful humanity Covenant lead to God bringing humanity into right relationship with God New covenant is made through Jesus’ death on cross Abraham: The Blessing of All the People of the Earth Divine promise and hope become evident God promise Abraham 3 things: o Land o Descendants o Bless those who help Abraham, curse those who didn’t help Through Abraham God bless all humanity The Exodus: God’s Redemption of His People Exodus serves as example of God’s relationship with is people Great act of God’s redemption God did not forsake or leave them God provided even in disobedience The Conquest and the Judges: God’s Faithfulness and Human Idolatry God completely faithful Promise land was viewed in Eden like terms Israel entered land – God once again dwelled with his people People rejected God; followed other gods People were doing what’s right in own eyes Israelites thought they could lean on their own wisdom and understanding The Monarch Kings led people into idolatry David ruled as God wanted Solomon (son of David) ruled in wise fashion Solomon led people into idolatry God divided kingdom (Northern and Southern) Wisdom Literature: o Job o Proverbs o Ecclesiastes o Song of Songs o Some of Psalms  Proverbs/Ecclesiastes reflect creation order and life  Psalms reflect God’s law  Focus on live a life characterized by wisdom rather than foolishness  Central theme of Wisdom Literature Fear of the Lord Division of kingdom intensified idolatry All northern kings were idolatrous God sent prophets to wain them God sent Assyrians in to judge them Prophet message flee idolatry and return to God All idolatry is departure from wisdom Southern kingdom had some godly leadership Sent prophets to southern kingdom Sent Babylonians to southern kingdom 3 main points of the prophets: o Israel and Judah have broken the covenant and need to repent o If there is no repentance then there will be judgment o There is hope beyond the judgment The Exile and Return God in relationship with his people  people rebel; God exiles them God works to bring relationship back People tried to understand God’s promises fit with their bondage God delivered them People disappointed because it was a pale shadow of the predicted glorious kingdom