Humanity Notes - Paul Littleton

Great to be with you all today. This obviously isn't comprehensive but examines two specific areas related to humanity that I think are particularly relevant to the ongoing emergent conversation: 1) who are we as humans apart from the Fall (for lack of a better term ;). I'll let Kyle take that one on), and 2) can we even discuss humanity by placing our focus solely on the individual, or must we look at humanity in community?

Humanity

I come from a reformed Baptist tradition, so when someone like me thinks of humanity one of the ingrained thought patterns is what we called “worm theology.” For a good example of worm theology check out the following: http://tonga.globat.com/~holwick.com/Job-book/job25_4.html. Growing up we would sing the hymn “At the cross,” which has the line “for such a worm as I” in the original version. Thus, the story of humanity, for all practical purposes, began at Genesis 3 and the fall. Any proper understanding of humanity was understood through that event.

The story prior to Genesis 3 and two aspects of its relevance and importance for the church.

1. Genesis 2 is often ignored apart from statements about the image of God in humanity especially as it relates to anti-abortion issues. But this passage also has much to help form our thoughts on things like social justice issues, the death penalty and war, among other issues. 80's pop band Human League had a song titled Human. These words made up the chorus:

   I’m only human
   Of flesh and blood I’m made
   Human
   Born to make mistakes

   And it isn't simply, or even especially, popular culture that lives with the ingrained idea that to be human is to be “born to make mistakes.” And, interestingly, the “mistake” of that song was unfaithfulness, as if unfaithfulness were a part of our DNA. That's a very Augustinian concept – and one for another day.

   N. T. Wright says that Jesus was the true human. Jesus lived out and ultimately fulfilled the mandate to subdue the earth and have dominion over it. He now reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Now the body of Christ in the earth continues to carry the mandate to rule and reign with him. This is what it means to be human. In Romans 5-8 Paul makes a considerable argument that glory is where we are headed as an outcome of the obedience of Christ.

2. 2:18 “It is not good that man should be alone.” It is interesting where this statement falls in the creation story. We read this after Adam was placed in a perfect garden, given the perfect job, living in perfect relationship with the Creator apart from any effects of the Fall, which hadn't yet occurred. God had gone through the six days of creation and each step of the way (except for day two) we read, “And God saw that it was good.” 2:18 is the first instance where we read that something in God's creation was “not good,” and this before the Fall of chapter three. Man's existence apart from community was not good.

Thus, to be human is to live in community. It is even argued by some (Dallas Willard, for instance) that living in community is a part of the image of God. In God we see perfect community. As Father, Son and Spirit you have me, you and him; three in perfect community calling humanity to a community that is reconciled to God and to one another. Thus, the community that God intends for humanity becomes reconciled community, which is an important aspect of the message of the gospel – a message that is not simply about sin and guilt, but about restoration to our own status as true humanity.