Anthropology is the study of man. The goals of this class are to define what anthropology is and to establish the objectives of our study.
The class will be structured as follows: Day 1 will focus on an introduction and the origin of man. Day 2 will address the dichotomy versus the trichotomy of man. Day 3 will consider the body. Day 4 will examine the soul. Day 5 will study the spirit. Days 6 and 7 will examine the fall. Day 8 will focus on the heart. Day 9 will address the mind. Day 10 will consider the conscience. Day 11 will examine the will. Day 12 will conclude with a discussion of other parts of man and provide a conclusion.
As we study anthropology, we will consider three major purposes. First, we will examine the different terms in Scripture. Second, we will seek to understand the mind more clearly. Third, we will consider some key theological differences, specifically concerning the origin of man, his composition, and the fall. Finally, we will ask whether a good understanding of anthropology makes a practical difference.
The Origin of Man (Day 1)
The origin of man is revealed in the accounts given in Genesis. Genesis 1:26–28 describes God’s declaration and action in creating man. Genesis 2:7 details the specific formation of man from the dust of the ground and the impartation of life through the breath of God. Genesis 5:1–2 records the continuation of mankind from Adam, reiterating that God created man in His likeness. By putting these three passages together, we gain a complete picture of man’s origin.
In considering the question of origins, we must also address the issue of creation versus evolution. Evolution teaches that man developed gradually from lower forms of life. Theistic evolution asserts that God directed the process of evolution to bring about man. However, Scripture employs specific Hebrew words that clarify the nature of man’s origin. The word עָשָׁה (asah) means “to make” or “to fabricate.” The word יָצַר (yahtzar) means “to form” or “to fashion.” The word בָרָא (bara) means “to create,” specifically “to create out of nothing.” These words emphasize God’s direct and purposeful activity in bringing man into existence. The implications of these words underscore that man is not the product of evolution but the result of God’s creative work.
