Fast-forward millennia of human history, with God’s promise of sending a redeemer gradually taking shape (see Gen. 3:15) through a series of covenants and promises, and we arrive at Jesus. Jesus is at the very heart of history. As Paul writes, though Jesus “was in the form of God,” he was “born in the likeness of men,” “and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him” (Phil. 2:6–9). Jesus was the perfect human who came to redeem us to restore us to God’s original image.

Who are we as humans? You’ll be surprised how many different answers people give to this deceptively simple question. In part, the reason for the diversity of answers is that who we are as humans is part of a larger set of questions. These relate to the origin of the universe and the larger reality in which we find ourselves. For Christians, the doctrine of humanity is an important part of what we believe, yet we seldom reflect on it. The following discussion aims to shed light on this vital question and to provide a general framework for further reflection. How does the doctrine of humanity relate to a pastor’s ministry?

Why the Doctrine of Humanity Matters

It is self-evident that the answer to the question “Who are we as humans?” has great existential significance for all people, Christian or not. We all face a cluster of undeniable realities: We are born into this world by the choice of others. We are frail and finite; we find evil not only around us but even inside us. And we know that one day we will all die. Here are seven truths pastors will do well to teach their congregations. In this way, they will equip them to live their lives more fully in keeping with biblical teaching.

7 Truths to Teach about the Doctrine of Humanity

The following seven truths to teach about humanity follow a salvation-historical pattern. The first four relate to the way God created humanity in its unfallen state. The fifth pertains to humanity’s rebellion against God and the implications of the fall. And truths six and seven relate to Jesus’ taking on human nature (except for sin) to restore us to a right relationship with our Creator and to show us how to live.

1. God Created Humanity in His Image and Likeness

After creating the stars and the sky, fish, birds, and other animals, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” and so he did (Gen. 1:26–27). Humanity is uniquely made in God’s image and likeness. As God’s creatures, we share in his family likeness! Later on in the Genesis narrative, we read, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image” (Gen. 5:3). Like father, like son. We’re not gods, but we were made to reflect God in the way we live and relate to each other.

2. God Created Humanity Male and Female

Until recently, this truth was almost universally affirmed. Yet once people no longer believe in a transcendent Creator, it is only a matter of time before humans come to believe that gender, like many other aspects of our existence, is self-chosen, even contrary to biological birth sex. However, such a notion clearly contradicts the biblical affirmation that “male and female [God] created them” (Gen. 1:27).

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