Running Head: BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY
1
Biblical Worldview Essay
Devin Guerra
5/15/18
Theo-202
Liberty University
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY
2
The doctrine of humanity has much to tell us about the nature of God himself as well as
his design for human existence. The concept of humanity however, much like other topical forms
of societal discussion, have secular views of the existence of humanity that do not align
themselves with a biblical worldview. According to Erikson, two of these interpretations of
humanity are, as he labels them, the machine and animal perspectives of humanity. The
alternative theory of humanity depicted as a machine describes the individual as being viewed as
a possession or thing that serve as a method of accomplishing a task if they are functioning and
able. Much like in a factory setting, a person can be replaced by a machine if it means the factory
is more productive and the needs of the person are rarely considered. Believers and proponents
of this school of thought may include atheist thinkers who believe that people have no greater
purpose in life other then to work to make a living and then eventually die and cease to exist. The
animal theory of humanity describes a person as a product if evolution at the top of the animal
kingdom, but without any contrasting difference between a human life and the life of a bird for
example. As “animals” the chief concern of a human’s existence are the biological motivators of
survival and reproduction, and like an animal positive and negative reinforcement can be used to
control and train humans. Embracers of the animal theory of humankind include fields of study
such behavioristic psychology where experts such as Ian Pavlov have demonstrated the ability to
condition a specific reaction in his many experiments regarding human behavior.
The biblical view of Humanity speaks to the human as being made in the image and
likeness of God and as a result God’s greatest creation. God states this himself in Genesis 1:26
when he said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens” (ESV). Because humanity was created
in the image of God, humanity is set apart and has dominion over the rest of God’s creation.
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY
3
Because of this we as people have a unique identity and each created differently yet perfectly
according to God. Beyond the physical nature of humanity, the theological view of humanity
exists eternally after a physical death. This is the most important aspect of humanity in God’s
view as our physical life is merely temporary whereas eternity is forever. According to a biblical
view, humanity finds meaning in the one who created them and that meaning is only fulfilled
when we fulfill God’s purpose for our life’s. The biblical view of humanity is certainly not
widely held across the modern world and is constantly “being excessively denounced and
condemned by artists, philosophers, and theologians” according to famous theologian Abraham
Joshua Herschel. The biblical view of humanity in essence places a great value in the life of a
human and the way they choose to live their life. This biblical view goes beyond the physical life
of human as according to the Bible every person will face judgement when they die and will
spend eternity in one of two places.
In comparing the biblical view of humanity with both the machine and animal views, the
theological perspective places much greater emphasis on the value of human life and gives
humanity an ultimate purpose in life to strive for that is rewarding and satisfying. The largest
difference between the biblical and secular views of humanity have to do with a human’s
meaning in life and what happens after death. With the animal and machine views of humanity
there is no hope for an eternity after a physical death and the human has no meaning or purpose
in the greater scheme of life. This view of humanity leads to a dissatisfying and meaningless life
lacking any motivation or hope. With a biblical interpretation however, the human has a purpose
in life to live for God and spread his word so that they as well as the people they have encounter
can share in the perfection that is waiting for believers in Christ after the physical death. Another
difference between the secular and biblical interpretation of humanity are in how each view
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY
4
values the human life itself. The biblical view holds the human as being God’s greatest creation,
formed in his image and having dominion over the rest of the world. The secular views however
view the human life as another product of evolution with no differentiating characteristics
between a human and any other lifeform on this Earth. Where the biblical and secular theories
share similarities are that humanity is free thinking and can make their own choices and
decisions while on this Earth. Those with the machine and animal view can choose to believe in
these interpretations the same way Christians can choose to follow God, live by his teachings,
and share the gospel with others. God has gifted humanity with the ability to freely think from
the very beginning of creation no matter the interpretation of humanity.
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY
5
References
07-Doctrine of Humanity. (2008, September 12). Retrieved from
https://peacetheology.net/doctrine/07—doctrine-of-humanity/
Erickson, M. J., & Hustad, L. A. (2015). Introducing Christian doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
