"THE MAJESTY OF MAN" RESPONSE
What is human? That depends on who you ask. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it in the strictly biological sense as "a bipedal primate mammal." Most other major dictionaries define human in the same manner with different wordings. A human is a mere biological entity. It implies that we are driven solely by our physical needs. When we are hungry, we forage for food. When we are thirsty, we look for water. When we are cold, we start a fire. When we are attacked by predators, we defend ourselves. But then we wonder, is human mere biological? Are our joy, sadness, anger, fear, love, and ability to think only the result of the chemical reactions in our brains? Are we selected only by chance in the course of evolution as the fittest of all survivors on planet earth?
What is man? In America, a man is not a man unless he is purged of all emotions. A man depends on no one but himself. A man determines his own destiny by making his own choices based on his own counsel. He provides for himself in all necessities of life. He protects himself from all forms of danger.
A man is his own god.
But is all this biblical? How can humanity be defined strictly biologically when we were made in God's image who is spiritual? How can we abandon God's definition of human, which is both the original and intended definition? And how can we relegate God's most precious creation to the same likes as a worm? What did Jesus, the only God-Man say about His humanity?
Contrary to the American "macho" man, Jesus is a "complete" man (Heb. 2:17; 4:15). The earthly life of Jesus 2000 years ago gave us great insight into what it really means to be a human. Today's humanist seeks power to control every aspect of one's life in the name of freedom; financial freedom, freedom of (all sorts of) speech, freedom to terminate a marriage, freedom from morality, and freedom from death, just to name a few. We want to be in control of our lives because that is what makes us human. But Jesus, who is a complete man, with all power and authority in heaven and on earth, showed us that a true humanist does not seek his own power, but instead he seeks dependence on God the Father. In the Gospel accounts, Jesus prayed from time to time. He taught the disciples that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God (Matt. 4:4). To be truly human is not to have all freedom, but is to submit all freedom at the feet of God and let ourselves be loved and guided by Him.
Today's "macho" man shows no emotions because it is perceived as a weakness to do so. However, Jesus is fully capable of emotions is not reserved to show it. He wept, rejoiced, angered, and was troubled. A complete man does not have to hide his emotions because emotions are created by God to make man in his image.
Jesus embraces His humanity because it springs from Day 3 of creation when God created both male and female in His glorious image. Not only is Humanism incomplete without God, it is meaningless without the creator. The significance of humanism begins in Genesis 1:26 when God created Adam and Eve in His image. In all God's creations, many are stronger than man, and many are faster. Humans cannot maneuver in water like the sea creatures. Humans cannot explore the skies like the birds. Humans do not have the supernatural powers like the angelic beings. However, in God's grand plan of salvation, only humans, made in His image, are called the brothers of Christ, and only humans are given the chance to be reconciled to the divine fellowship with the Holy Father. No other creation or even the fallen angels get to enjoy such privilege.
So what is human? Yes, we are indeed biological beings. But more importantly, we are reflections of God's image. We are spiritual beings who are made to fellowship with the Creator in the salvation and redemption of Christ Jesus.
