1. Created and Commissioned

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Unlike many secular theories and philosophies about the creation of humanity, Scripture teaches that humanity is a direct and purposeful creation of God. Therefore, humanity, and each person specifically, is not an accident. In Genesis 1-2, the creation story is given. In six days, God created the heavens and the earth and everything within them. On the sixth day, God created humans—both male and female. In Genesis 1:26, God said this:

Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.

Humans being created in the image of God shows that people are created more uniquely and reverently than every other part of creation, including animals, fish, birds, stars, and planets. Certainly, everything that God created demonstrates some aspects of the Creator, but none more so than humans who are the only part of creation said to be made in God’s image. When creating humanity, God planned for them to rule over all the creatures of the earth. Genesis 1:28 says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.’” Humans are called to fill, subdue, and rule over the earth. Essentially, they were to be God’s vice-regents—ruling the earth under his leadership. Since God created humanity on the last day of creation, made them in the image of God, and commissioned them to rule, they are the pinnacle of creation. Furthermore, in Genesis 2, the text describes in detail God’s creation of man and woman. He creates Adam from the dirt of the ground and breathes life into him; then fashions the woman from Adam’s rib while he was sleeping. With the sun, moon, stars, animals, fish, and birds, their creation is mentioned only in passing. Humanity is the highlight of creation—made in God’s image to rule over it.

What can we learn about humanity from God’s unique creation of them and his commissioning of them?

1. God’s creation and commissioning of humanity reminds us that humans are not God. Unfortunately, the initial temptation which led humanity into sin was to be like God—to be independent of him. In Genesis 3:4-5, Satan said this to the woman, “… Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.” In fact, throughout history, people have thought that they were God or gods—especially the monarchs of nations and certain people groups. But, God did not create humans to be gods. They were meant to represent God as his image bearers to the rest of creation, but they were never to be worshiped or to seek worship.

2. God’s creation and commissioning of humanity reminds us that humans must obey and submit to God. They are not free to do whatever they want. In fact, though God called humanity to rule the earth, he put a tree in the garden that they were not allowed to eat from—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In Genesis 2:17, God said, “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.” This was meant to remind humanity that they must submit to God and obey him. Though there was great freedom in serving God, there were some things they were not allowed to do. Humanity was made to obey God.

3. God’s creation and commissioning of humanity reminds us that humans are meant to reproduce as a way of honoring and obeying God. In Genesis 1:28, God said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply!” Therefore, consistently throughout Scripture, we see that children are a gift from God and that God desires godly offspring. Psalm 127:3-5 (NIV) says,

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Also, Malachi 2:15 (NIV) says,

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Children are one of God’s good and perfect gifts to humanity (Jam 1:17). They are meant to continue God’s creation mandate and to contend with the enemy who seeks to pervert God’s ways. The fact that God desires parents to raise “godly offspring” (Mal 2:15 ESV) means that parents must not only reproduce but also disciple their children according to biblical values and help them complete their God-given callings. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Unfortunately, today children are often seen as a burden and, consequently, at times abused, abandoned, or aborted. God’s original commission reminds us that God loves children (cf. Matt 19:13-15), and he wants us to “be fruitful and multiply” as a form of obedience to him (Gen 1:28). Therefore, we should love children as well and consider having many of them as a blessing and a way of honoring God (Ps 127:5, Mal 2:15).

4. God’s creation and commissioning of humanity reminds us that humans are to faithfully steward creation but never worship it. Again, in Genesis 1:28, God said, “Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.” This rulership is specifically seen in how God paraded the animals in front of Adam, and he named them in Genesis 2. Naming reflected his rulership over them and all of creation in general. Psalm 115:16 says, “The heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” Therefore, humans should study creation, develop its resources, use them for good, and protect it.

With all that said, for the Jews reading and hearing Genesis 1-2, this would have specifically challenged their worldview. Gentile nations typically worshipped creation, including the sun, moon, stars, and animals. And the Jews who were previously slaves in Egypt had started to do the same. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, they made a golden calf to worship (Ex 32). As they heard Moses teach this in the wilderness, they were challenged to not worship creation, but to instead rule it, cultivate it, and use it as a way of obeying God (cf. Rom 1:21-22).

For us today, God’s creation mandate of faithfully stewarding the earth reminds us of the importance of science—studying creation so we can better understand it and use it—farming—to feed people and animals—and conservation—so we don’t waste our resources. But it also challenges us to not exalt creation over humans. Sadly, at times, people are more upset over the loss of an eagle egg than the fact that around the world millions of human babies are aborted every year. It was never God’s will for creation to be exalted over humans.

5. God’s creation of humanity reminds us that humans are made to glorify God. This is seen in the fact that they were made in God’s image—to reflect and serve him. Isaiah 43:7 says, “everyone who belongs to me, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed—yes, whom I made!” Colossians 1:16 says this about Christ:

for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him.

All things were created by Christ, through him, and for him. Therefore, as humans, we must seek to glorify God in how we oversee the earth and, also, in how we use the gifts, skills, and relationships God has given us. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul said, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Certainly, as we consider God’s creation of humanity and his purpose in them ruling over the earth, like David in Psalm 8:3-9, we cannot but say:

When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

Amen! Thank you, Lord!

Reflection

What stood out most in the reading and why?
What evidences from Genesis 1 and 2 show that humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation and meant to rule over it?
Does God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” apply to people today? If so, what are some implications of that command?
How can people practice being faithful stewards over creation?
In what ways do people at times exalt creation over humans?
What other questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Man (Anthropology)

3. Male and Female

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When God created humans, he made them in his image; however, one significant aspect of the Divine image is the fact that God made humans, male and female. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” The fact that God’s image is represented through two genders, male and female, suggests significant things about human relationships.

What does the fact that God created male and female in his image suggest about human relationships?

1. The creation of male and female in God’s image reflects our need for intimate, harmonious relationships.

It must be noted that in Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make humankind in our image…” This represents inter-trinitarian communication. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were communicating with each other about making humanity. Some have tried to suggest God is speaking to the angels, but Scripture never says that humans are made in the image of angels. They are, however, made in the image of God. Therefore, we as humans need intimate, loving relationships within a family, friends, church, and community.

Also, it is clear that most people will get married and that is God’s call for their lives. In marriage, they will love and serve each other and build God’s kingdom together (Gen 1:26-28, 2:24). With that said, not all will get married for various reasons. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul describes how some have the gift of celibacy, and the benefit of that gift is being able to devote more time and energy to serving the kingdom of God (1 Cor 7:7, 25-40). But, in general, most will get married and reflect and serve God through their marriages.

The creation of male and female in God’s image reflects equality between the genders.

God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all equal in personhood and divinity. God the Father is fully God and so are the Son and the Spirit. Colossians 2:9 says this about Christ, “For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form.” Likewise, males and females are fully equal. This should remove any feelings of superiority or inferiority between the genders. Males should not be prideful and therefore look down on females. Also, females should not be prideful and look down on males. In societies, they should have equal rights, opportunities, and pay. This doesn’t suggest that the genders are exactly the same. Nor does it suggest they should have the same roles, as we shall study shortly. They are different, and in general, God has different plans for the genders. But, differing roles does not mean inequality. Two people working at a company can have different yet complementary roles and still be equal. Galatians 3:27-28 says,

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, different nationalities, genders, and statuses in society are equal. Therefore, this should be true of how the church views and treats others, including people of different genders. Wayne Grudem said it this way:

In practical terms, we must never think that there are any second-class citizens in the church. Whether someone is a man or woman, employer or employee, Jew or Gentile, black or white, rich or poor, healthy or ill, strong or weak, attractive or unattractive, extremely intelligent or slow to learn, all are equally valuable to God and should be equally valuable to one another as well. This equality is an amazing and wonderful element of the Christian faith and sets Christianity apart from almost all religions and societies and cultures. The true dignity of godly manhood and womanhood can be fully realized only in obedience to God’s redeeming wisdom as found in Scripture.¹

This equality between males and females should not only be manifest in treating the genders equally, it should also be manifested by giving honor to them. In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter said this to husbands: “Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.” When Peter calls the wife the weaker partner or “vessel” (ESV), he is at least referring to the woman being weaker physically. Essentially, he is recognizing the differences between the male and female. Instead of dishonoring one another because of differences, husbands should honor their wife’s uniqueness. Likewise, the wife should honor the husband for his uniqueness as well. God made the sexes equal but different, and those differences should be respected and honored.

3. The creation of male and female in the image of God reflects differing roles.

In the Trinity, there are different roles in the Godhead. Though equal in personhood, they differ in authority and role. God the Father is the ultimate authority; the Son and the Spirit submit to him, and the Spirit submits to the Son. God sent the Son into the world to die for sins (John 3:16). God and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower believers. In John 14:16, Christ said, “Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” Also, in John 16:7, Christ said, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.” The Godhead is equal in personhood but not the same in authority and roles.

Likewise, since male and female are made in the image of God, we would expect them to have different roles and authority, as they reflect the Godhead. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul said this in referring to the husband and wife: “But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” In marriage, the husband reflects God the Father and the wife reflects Christ the Son. The woman submits to her husband in the same way that Christ submits to God. These differing roles are also seen in God’s command for males to serve in the pastoral roles in the church. In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul said, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.” Then, in 1 Timothy 3, Paul clarifies this by saying only males can serve in the office of an overseer or elder. First Timothy 3:2-4 says,

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

Male Leadership as God’s Original Design

Some disagree with the fact that God has called for males to lead in both the home and the church. However, there is ample evidence of this being God’s design both in the Old and New Testament. It is especially evident within the creation narrative. For example:

1. Evidence for male leadership is represented in the fact that Adam was created first before Eve.

When Paul teaches that women should not teach men or be in authority over them in the church, he doesn’t appeal to the culture in Ephesus or something specific within that church, he appeals to creation. In 1 Timothy 2:13, he says, “For Adam was formed first and then Eve.” When God created humanity, he first created Adam, and then, after a while, he created Eve (Gen 2). The order of creation is significant, as there was no two-stage process with the animals. God created Adam first because he was called to lead. In fact, this became normative in the ancient culture, as the firstborn received the greatest inheritance and became the chief of the family after the father passed away.

2. Evidence for male leadership is demonstrated by the fact that Eve was made to be Adam’s helper.

In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Being created to be Adam’s helper demonstrates Eve’s role in coming beside him and serving him. Some have argued that since the word “helper” is sometimes used of a superior helping another, including God helping believers (cf. Psalm 54:4), it does not represent her subordinate role. However, even when a superior becomes a “helper” of another, that person is taking a subordinate role in that task.² This is exactly what Christ did when washing the feet of the disciples; he took the role of a servant, which is why his disciples found it offensive (John 13). However, God made the woman to portray that role permanently in her relationship with her husband.

3. Evidence for male leadership is demonstrated by the fact that Adam named his wife.

In Genesis 2:23, Adam calls his wife a “woman” shortly after he named the animals, which he was also in authority over. Then in Genesis 3:20, he named her “Eve,” again representing his authority. In the ancient world, naming someone demonstrated their authority over them. Parents named their children, and kings commonly gave new names to their servants. It is the same in modern-day culture. Naming someone represents authority over them.

4. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that Satan initially approached Eve instead of Adam to reverse their roles.

In 1 Timothy 2:12-14, Paul referred to this as evidence for why women should not be in leadership in the church. He said,

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet. For Adam was formed first and then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.

Paul doesn’t seem to be saying that women are more gullible or prone to temptation. Apparently, he is saying Satan’s original plan was to create a rebellion towards God’s designed authority; therefore, he approached Eve instead of Adam. When Paul says Eve was deceived but not Adam, he is simply saying Adam followed her, even though he knew it was wrong. In the fall, Satan attacked Adam’s leadership role by encouraging the wife to lead, and because of this, the marriage roles remain corrupted today, as we will soon consider (Gen 3:16).

5. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that God approached Adam first after the fall, instead of Eve.

In Genesis 3, God confronted Adam about the sin first because he was the authority, not Eve. Genesis 3:9-13 says this:

But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” The man replied, “I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” And the Lord God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it.” So the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman replied, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”

6. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that Adam’s sin led to judgment on the human race and not Eve’s sin.

First Corinthians 15:22 says, “For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” Also, Romans 5:12 and 15 say this:

So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned … But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply to the many!

When God made Adam, he was not only Eve’s head, but also, the head of the human race. Since he represented the human race, his sin led to consequences for every human, including death. Likewise, since Christ is now seen as the head of the human race, his righteousness leads to life for those who receive him as Lord and Savior.

7. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that God named humanity man or mankind.

Genesis 5:1-2 (ESV) says this:

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.

“Man” is a form of the word “Adam.” God named humankind after Adam, not the woman, which represented his leadership. This is similar to how in many cultures the wife takes the husband’s last name, which represents his leadership over the family. ³

Corruption of Gender Roles in the Fall

With all that said, some would argue that male leadership is a result of the fall and not God’s original intention in creation. They would point to the curse that God pronounced upon the woman after the fall. In Genesis 3:16 (NIV), God said this to Eve: “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” However, the word “desire” is best understood in the sense that Eve would desire to control her husband, not serve him. In Genesis 4:7, God used the same word to describe sin’s desire to control Cain. He said, “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Likewise, the consequence of sin was that Eve would no longer desire to submit to her husband. Instead, she would desire to control him. She might do this through sexual manipulation or through nagging. Proverbs 27:15 (NIV) says, “A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm.” Not to be outdone, sin also affected the husband. When it says, “he will rule over you,” it refers to an oppressive and harsh rule. The word “rule” was usually used of monarchial governments and not families.⁴ Therefore, the wife’s sinful tendency will be to try to control her husband, and the husband will seek to rule her harshly. Sometimes this sinful tendency shows up in the opposite way, in that the wife becomes a doormat with no say in the home, or the husband becomes a doormat. Neither was God’s original design.

Consequently, in redemption, Christ comes to restore what was broken by the devil and sin. First John 3:8b says, “For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.” Christ came to restore creation to God’s original plan—humans benevolently ruling a blessed earth. Thus, Scripture commands this of wives and husbands:

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

Colossians 3:18-19

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church—he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious—not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:22-27

As God’s image bearers, when Christian husbands and wives practice biblical love, authority, and submission, they represent the Trinity. And, they also represent how the church should submit to Christ, and how Christ loved the church and died for her. It is a beautiful gospel picture.

Application

Practically, in understanding how sin perverted male and female roles in marriage, (1) husbands must recognize their sinful tendency of being harsh with their wife. When they do so, they must repent and seek forgiveness from both God and their wife. Colossians 3:19 says, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.” (2) Also, wives must recognize their sinful tendency of trying to control their husband. When they do so, especially through negative words, they likewise must repent and seek forgiveness from God and their husband. (3) Finally, in understanding God’s specific roles, males and females must not fight against them or be upset at them, but rejoice in them and commit to them as a way of honoring God. This is what Paul referred to in Ephesians 5:22 when he said, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Instead of treating their husband as God, it seems Paul is saying that wives should submit to their husbands as their Christian duty. Likewise, husbands must lead and serve their wives as their duty to the Lord. God’s plan is perfect, even if we don’t fully understand or agree. We must submit to God because he knows best.

Wayne Grudem emphasizes our need to rejoice in and submit to our God-ordained roles when he said this:

…as we grow in maturity in Christ, we will grow to delight in and rejoice in the God-ordained and wisely created differences in roles within the human family. When we understand this biblical teaching, both men and women should be able to say in their hearts, “This is what God has planned, and it is beautiful and right, and I rejoice in the way he has made me and the distinct role he has given me.”⁵

The LGBTQ Movement

Finally, in considering how God created man and woman, we must briefly consider the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) movement. Scripture says that God created two separate genders in the image of God—male and female (Gen 1:26). Therefore, males and females represent God individually and, in a special way, within marriage (Gen 2:24, Matt 19:4-6, 1 Cor 11:3). The husband represents God the Father as the authority over the home and the wife represents God the Son as she submits to her husband (1 Cor 11:3). In the marriage, there should be perfect love, authority, and submission, as man and woman represent the Godhead. Therefore, God did not create males to marry males, nor females to marry females. He also didn’t intend for males and females to change their genders, as in transgenderism. As seen with Satan approaching Eve to usurp God’s original design for Adam to lead the home (Gen 3:1-6, 1 Tim 2:14), Satan seeks to corrupt everything that happened in Genesis 1 and 2 today. He seeks to remove God as the Creator, in light of some random processes in evolution, which remove the concept of an intentional creation with a God-given purpose. In evolution, everything is a random accident and, therefore, has no real purpose. Satan seeks to remove separate roles for the genders. He seeks to remove the marriage between a man and a woman, and even the reality of genders themselves. In Romans 1, Paul said these types of contrary views and practices come from denying the Creator and his rule over us. They are not the result of biological processes, as though God created people to live this way. Romans 1:21-28 says this,

For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done.

When people deny the Creator, either by idolatry (v. 23)—making up a God whose person and ways contradict Scripture—or denying that there is a Creator altogether, people naturally will turn away from God’s ways. They will worship the creature instead of the Creator (v. 25), practice sexual immorality (v. 24), homosexuality (v. 26-27), and abandon all decency (v. 28-32). Denying the true God leads to futile thinking (v. 21), darkened hearts (v. 21), dishonorable passions (v. 26), and a depraved mind (v. 28).

Though Paul was speaking of the Gentile world in Romans 1:21-28, it is very clear that even in the early church, some were professing that perverse sex, including homosexuality, was acceptable to God. Therefore, in response, Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The fact that he calls them to “not be deceived” means that some were teaching liberal views about sexuality. Paul warns that those who practice such unrepentant behavior are not part of God’s kingdom (1 Cor 6:10, 1 John 3:6-10). In fact, in 1 Corinthians 5, when a man was having sex with his father’s wife (his stepmom), some in the church were proud (v. 2) and boasting about it (v. 6)—no doubt declaring how they were a “welcoming” and “affirming” congregation. Paul challenged them to remove that person from the church because sin spreads (v. 1-8). Unfortunately, this welcoming of perverse sexuality still happens in churches today, as some believers make arguments that twist God’s original design for men and women. They declare perverted sexuality as normal, natural, genetic, and even righteous.

With all that said, though practicing a perverse sexuality is not what God originally designed for humans (Matt 19:4-5), it is “natural” or “normal” in the sense of our sinful nature, which is in rebellion towards God (Rom 8:7). Galatians 5:19 says, “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity.” Because of humanity’s sinful disposition, it is normal for people to desire to practice sexual immorality, which includes fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and other forms of perversion. Since the fall, people struggle with intense desires to sin sexually, and apart from God’s means of grace, they will do so. God’s means of grace includes the conscience which affirms right deeds and condemns wrong ones (Rom 2:14-16), the family which trains children in the way they should go (Prov 22:6, Eph 6:4), the government which rewards the righteous and punishes the wrongdoer (Rom 13:1-7), the church who is the foundation of truth in society (1 Tim 3:15), and the Holy Spirit who gives us a new nature at salvation (Gal 5:16-17, 22-23)—a nature that desires to obey God. In societies where people’s consciences have been hardened by the practice of sin and continual exposure to it, the family is commonly broken, the government enforces ungodliness through its laws, the church no longer preaches the Word but instead embraces the sinful views and practices of the culture, and the Holy Spirit is continually resisted, the works of the flesh will become increasingly dominant, including the acceptance and practice of perverted sexuality.

To combat these perverted sexual desires, God offers forgiveness to those who repent of their sins, by faith accept Jesus’ death on the cross for sins and his resurrection, and follow him as Lord and Savior (cf. Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9, Rom 10:9-10). When a person truly accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, Scripture says he becomes a new creation as the old has passed away and the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). In addition, God gives believers his Holy Spirit to enable them to conquer their sinful desires. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” True believers still have a flesh that desires to sin, which may include same-sex attraction; however, as they abide in the Spirit through studying God’s Word, obedience to it, worship, Christian fellowship, prayer, etc., they will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. In fact, with the Corinthians that Paul wrote, it is clear that some previously practiced homosexuality before converting and becoming followers of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:11, after saying those who practice unrepentant sin, including homosexuality, would not enter God’s kingdom (v. 9-10), Paul said, “Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” By God’s grace, those who were previously dominated by the flesh, including their sexual desires, repented and were living for God.

Therefore, a person’s past or continual struggle with sin should not hinder him from coming to Christ. For those who repent and follow Christ, God promises forgiveness and grace to fight sin and grow in holiness. Romans 6:6-7 and11-14 says,

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.) … So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness. For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

In summary, when God created humanity in his image, as male and female, they were to marry, have children, and rule the earth righteously according to God’s laws (Gen 1:26-28). It was never God’s original plan for homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism, or other types of perverted sexuality to ever be practiced. They are part of Satan’s continual plan to corrupt God’s people and his purposes for them, which he began in the garden with the first temptation (Gen 3:1-6). To those who are willing to repent of their sins and follow Christ, God offers forgiveness, salvation, and grace to grow in holiness.

Reflection

What stood out most in the reading and why?
What does the fact that God created male and female in his image suggest about human relationships?
What is the biblical evidence for God’s original design of male leadership, especially in the home and church?
What are supports for egalitarianism, which teaches there are no designated roles for males and females in the home and church?
How did the fall negatively affect male and female relationships, especially in marriage?
What does God’s original design of there being two separate genders (male and female) and that they would marry and procreate suggest about the LGBTQ movement? Why is the movement growing in popularity among both nonbelievers and believers?
What other questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 459). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

² Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (pp. 461–462). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

³ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 463). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

⁴ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 464). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

⁵ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 465). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

4. Essential Nature of Humanity

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What is the essential nature of humans? We’ve considered that God made humans in his image, and therefore humans reflect God in a variety of ways. However, God does not have a body because he is spirit (John 4:24), so it is clear that God did not make humans exactly like him, especially in the essential components that make up their nature. There have been three prominent views on the essential nature of humans throughout history: trichotomy, dichotomy, and monism. We’ll consider each.

Trichotomy

Trichotomists believe that humans have three parts: body, soul, and spirit. The body is the material aspect of humanity. The soul and spirit combine to make up the immaterial aspect of humanity. The soul includes the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. The spirit enables humans to interact with and worship God (John 4:24) and makes them different than animals, which do not have spirits. It is believed that before the fall, the human spirit was alive to God, but when the fall happened, the spirit died within humanity. Ephesians 2:1 says before humans are born again, we are “dead in our transgressions and sins.” Apart from salvation, humans are led by their soul or body instead of their spiritual nature, which is dead. However, when saved, the spirit in humanity is regenerated and therefore interacts with God and submits to him (cf. Rom 8:10 NASB). Some would even say the regenerated human spirit is perfect and sinless,¹ while the soul must continually be renewed (Rom 12:2) and the body disciplined until the resurrection (1 Tim 4:7, 1 Cor 9:27). The primary verses used to support trichotomy are 1 Thessalonians 5:23, which says, “Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also, Hebrews 4:12 says,

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

Certainly, these verses appear to support that humanity has three parts: a body, soul, and spirit. With that said, with further investigation, it seems clear that the soul and spirit are not distinguishable parts of the human constitution but terms that are generally used synonymously, which is one of the dichotomist’s primary arguments.

Dichotomy

Dichotomy has been the most held view throughout history.² Dichotomists believe that humans only consist of two parts—a material and immaterial part called the body and soul or body and spirit. Genesis 2:7 describes how God made humans this way. It says, “The Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” “Living being” can also be translated “living soul” (ASV). Many verses focus on these two essential parts of human nature—the material and the immaterial—as noted below.

Christ said this: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James 2:26

… An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit.

1 Corinthians 7:34

turn this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:5

Further support for humans being made in a complex unity of the material body and immaterial soul is the fact that at death, the body and soul are temporarily separated. The body returns to the ground while the spirit or soul goes to heaven until God eventually resurrects the body. Many verses support this. In Revelation 6:9, the disembodied souls of those martyred during the great tribulation cry out to God for justice. It says, “Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given.” Also, Hebrews 12:23 mentions “the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect” who continually worship God in heaven. And in 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul says, we “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” When a person dies, the material body and the immaterial soul are separated until the resurrection.

Rebuttal of Trichotomy

How do dichotomists handle 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and Hebrews 4:12 which describe the soul and spirit as separate but indivisible parts of the human constitution? (1) They would argue that the authors are simply piling up or combining terms for emphasis.³ Those verses are similar to Luke 10:27 and Matthew 22:37, which say, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” and “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Should heart, mind, and soul all be distinguished? In these verses, the emphasis is to love God with one’s entire being. Likewise, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 is simply a prayer for God to bless both the material and immaterial parts of a person, whether the immaterial is called spirit or soul. And Hebrews 4:12 is emphasizing how God’s Word can pierce the deepest parts. If someone wants to distinguish between “thoughts” and “intentions,” God’s Word can pierce that deep. And if someone wants to distinguish between the “soul” and the “spirit,” God’s Word can pierce that deep as well. The point is not that thoughts and intentions are distinguishable, nor are the soul and spirit. The point is God’s Word is more effective and revealing than we can imagine.

(2) In addition, as support for the soul and spirit being the same, dichotomists point out how the words are commonly used interchangeably throughout Scripture. Because of this, it is impossible to distinguish them or designate separate roles for them, as portions of a human’s immaterial part. For example, in Luke 1:46-47, Mary says, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior.” She is clearly using Hebrew parallelism—meaning the soul and spirit are the same. Essentially, she is saying her inner-being worships God. Likewise, Job used similar language for his discouragement. In Job 7:11, he said, “Therefore, I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” Also, as quoted previously, in Revelation 6:9 when describing the disembodied martyrs in heaven, they are called “souls,” but in Hebrews 12:23, they are called “spirits.” The terms spirit and soul are used synonymously throughout Scripture to describe the immaterial part of humans. They should not be distinguished.

As far as the trichotomists’ belief that the human spirit, which relates to God, died at the fall and is regenerated at salvation, it would be better to think of our whole being as dead in the sense of them being out of fellowship with God and not just our spirit (Eph 2:1). Also, Scripture never teaches that our spirits after salvation become pure. In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul said this: “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.” We are to cleanse both our bodies (actions) and spirits (wrong motives and thoughts) from sin in order to become holy and worship God as we should. Only after death or at the resurrection will our spirits become pure. As mentioned previously, in Hebrews 12:23, believers awaiting their resurrected bodies are called “the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect.” Likewise, there is no clear biblical support for animals being distinguished from humans because they don’t have a spirit. In Ecclesiastes 3:21 (ESV), Solomon said: “Who really knows if the human spirit ascends upward, and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?” If the spirit refers to the immaterial portion of a being which includes the intellect and emotions, animals have that to various degrees, just like humans. What makes humans different than animals is that they are made in the image of God, they can interact with their Creator in the sense of worship and obedience, and their spirits will live eternally.

Monism

Monism teaches that humans consist of one element—the body. They believe that when Scripture uses the words body, soul, spirit, or flesh, they all refer to one’s whole being, not distinguishable parts of the human constitution.⁴ Often the fact that Hebrew thought viewed the body as a singular unity, unlike Greek thought which parsed up the body, is emphasized. Monists also believe that body and soul cannot be separated, and therefore, it is impossible to live in a disembodied, intermediate state.⁵ Though the focus on the unity of a person should be applauded, as that is the primary way Scripture describes people, this view has many contradictions with Scripture. Scripture teaches that though humans are a unity, they have material and immaterial aspects. When a person dies, their body and soul are conditionally separated until the resurrection (2 Cor 5:8, Heb 12:23, Rev 6:9, etc.). For these reasons, this view has never been popular amongst Christians.

Applications

What are some applications from considering the essential nature of humans?

1. Though humans have material and immaterial aspects to their nature, humans should be ministered to as a complex unity.

Yes, humans have a soul (including their intellect, will, emotions, and conscience) and a physical body, but these are unified. This means we cannot minister to one’s spiritual life and neglect the body, including things like diet, exercise, and rest. The body and spirit are connected. The body affects the spirit, and the spirit affects the body. Sin can lead to sickness (1 Cor 11:29-30) and experiencing sickness can make it easier to sin. A joyful disposition can lead to physical healing, while a depressed disposition can lead to sickness. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

2. Because God created humans as complex unities, each aspect of their nature must be honored, cultivated, and used to glorify God.

It is possible to depreciate one aspect of human nature and exalt the other. To the Greeks, the body was evil, and the spirit was good. However, they are both essential parts of our nature, which God has given us and that we must cultivate. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul said,

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Our bodies were purchased by God. He owns and indwells them; therefore, we must glorify God through them. Certainly, this includes maintaining good health, but also using our bodies to serve God and his people. Also, Romans 12:1-2 says,

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

We must present our bodies to God as sacrifices—being willing to do whatever he wants us to do, even if it hurts or is uncomfortable—and we must continually transform our minds through the study of Scripture and thinking on godly things (Phil 4:8-9). Each aspect of our being must be honored, cultivated, and used to glorify God. We should not cultivate our spirit and neglect our body, or cultivate our body and neglect our spirit. God created them both as a complex unity; therefore, we must honor God with our entire person.

Reflection

What stood out most in the reading and why?
What are the three views of the essential nature of humans and the biblical support for them?
Which view do you believe is most biblical and why?
What are some applications from the fact that God created humans as a complex unity, with a material and immaterial part?
What other questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 475). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

² Aaron, Daryl. Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day: How can I know God? Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

³ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (pp. 478–479). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

⁴ MacArthur, J., & Mayhue, R. (Eds.). (2017). Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (p. 421). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

⁵ Erickson, M. J. (2001). Introducing Christian doctrine (2nd ed., p. 182). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Man (Anthropology)

5. Origin of the Soul

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How is the soul transmitted to humans? In Genesis 5:3, it says that Adam had “a son in his own likeness, according to his image.” It is clear that this son’s physical body came through the natural procreation process of Adam and Eve, which led to him being in the “likeness” of his parents. However, what about his soul—the immaterial part of his being? How was that transmitted? Throughout history there has been three primary views on this: preexistence theory, creation theory, and traducian theory.

Preexistence Theory

In general, preexistence has never been held by orthodox Christians, with a few exceptions. It has been held by ancient Greeks, Hindus,¹ and even Muslims have a form of this.² This view teaches that God originally created a number of souls and some are joined to human bodies at conception. Obviously, there is no clear statement in Scripture that supports this view.³

Creation Theory

Creation theory teaches that the human body is transferred from the parents, but the soul, since it is immaterial, comes from God. At conception, God creates a soul and places that soul in the forming baby (Ps 139:13). Support for this is found in the fact that after creating Adam, God breathed life into his body—giving him a soul (Gen 2:7). Also, there are many Scriptures that demonstrate God’s continual work in the creation of humans, including their spirits. Consider the following,

The revelation of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: The Lord—he who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth, who forms the human spirit within a person

Zechariah 12:1

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (ESV)

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:

Isaiah 42:5 (ESV)

Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

Also, Hebrews 12:9 calls God “the Father of spirits,” and Numbers 16:22 calls him “the God of the spirits of all people.” Clearly, these texts point to God as the Creator of the immaterial part of humans. This view is held by Roman Catholics and some Reformed Christians.⁴

With that said, this theory has difficulties. How is the sin nature transferred if God gives everyone a spirit, apart from the parents? Does he give them spirits that are prone to sin from birth, unlike how he created Adam? Because this seems unlikely (cf. Jam 1:13), some reject this view.

Traducian Theory

Traducian theory teaches that both the body and soul come from the parents. It is argued that God’s direct creation—making things out of nothing—stopped on the sixth day of creation, as proved by the fact that God rested on the seventh day.⁵ Certainly, God is still involved with the creation of the body and the soul in humans, but he does that through secondary means—human parents.⁶

A strength of traducian theory is that it best explains human depravity. Paul Enns said it this way:

If the parents pass on the nonmaterial nature then it explains the propagation of the sin nature and the tendency, from birth, of every human being to sin. The sin nature cannot be explained if God creates each soul directly.⁷

In considering the transfer of the sin nature, Romans 5:12 says, “So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned.” Also, Psalm 51:5 says, “Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.”

One might ask, “What about Christ’s birth? How is it possible that Christ did not have a sin nature if he received his body and spirit through his mother?” The fact that he was kept from having a sin nature must be considered a miracle, wrought by the Holy Spirit, just as his physical birth was (Matt 1:18, Lk 1:35).

A further strength of the traducian theory is the hereditary factor—not only are we like our parents physically, but also commonly in personality, intelligence, and emotions. If God directly transmitted the soul, apart from the parents, these similarities would not be as prevalent.⁸

John MacArthur said this in support of the traducian theory:

While it is true that several verses speak of God making a person’s soul or spirit, that is also true for the body. David stated, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.… My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth” (Ps. 139:13, 15). These statements do not mean that the body is created directly by God apart from natural procreation. God is man’s Creator, but God also ordained human procreation for the filling of the earth (Gen. 1:28). God uses natural means for procreation, yet he is the Ultimate Cause of the process. As a complex unity of body and soul/spirit, our entire being, including the soul, is a result of the God-ordained procreation process.⁹

Also, J. O. Buswell said this in considering creation theory and traducian theory, as quoted by Charles Ryrie:

As between these two views, it does seem to me that there is a certain obvious fact which has been neglected in the historical discussion, and that is the perfect uniformity and regularity of the arrival of a soul whenever a human life begins to be. In our ordinary thinking when we observe such perfect uniformity and regularity in other matters, we usually ascribe the results to the secondary forces which God has created and which He maintains by His divine providence. For this reason, and for this reason only, I am inclined toward the traducian view, but I do not feel that it can be firmly established on the grounds of any explicit scriptural teaching.¹⁰

Conclusion

God is the Creator of humans. They were made in his image as a direct, special creation. God formed man from the dust and breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living soul (Gen 2:7). However, after God ceased his special creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them, he commonly creates now through secondary processes, which he developed in the original creation. Though the wild grass grows on its own through natural processes, Christ said God clothed it (Matt 6:30). And though birds feed themselves, Christ said God feeds them (Matt 6:26). Likewise, it seems that through the procreation process which God established and oversees, humans come from other humans, which includes both body and spirit. With all that said, since Scripture is not explicitly clear on this issue, we should hold our beliefs on it lightly.

Reflection

What stood out most in the reading and why?
What are the three views on how the human soul is transmitted?
Which view do you believe has the most biblical support and why?
What other questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 319). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

² MacArthur, J., & Mayhue, R. (Eds.). (2017). Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (p. 425). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

³ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 319). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

⁴ Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (p. 221). Chicago, IL: Moody Press.

⁵ MacArthur, J., & Mayhue, R. (Eds.). (2017). Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (p. 425). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

⁶ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 320). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

⁷ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 320). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

⁸ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 320). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

⁹ MacArthur, J., & Mayhue, R. (Eds.). (2017). Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (pp. 425–426). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

¹⁰ Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (p. 222). Chicago, IL: Moody Press.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Man (Anthropology)

Appendix 1: Study Group Tips

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Leading a small group using the Bible Teacher’s Guide can be done in various ways. One format for leading a small group is the “study group” model, where each member prepares and shares in the teaching. This appendix will cover tips for facilitating a weekly study group.

Each week the members of the study group will read through a select chapter of the guide, answer the reflection questions (see Appendix 2), and come prepared to share in the group.
Prior to each meeting, a different member can be selected to lead the group and share Question 1 of the reflection questions, which is to give a short summary of the chapter read. This section of the gathering could last from five to fifteen minutes. This way, each member can develop their gift of teaching. It also will make them study harder during the week. Or, each week the same person could share the summary.
After the summary has been given, the leader for that week will facilitate discussions through the rest of the reflection questions and also ask select review questions from the chapter.
After discussion, the group will share prayer requests and pray for one another.

The strength of the study group is the fact that the members will be required to prepare their responses before the meeting, which will allow for easier discussion. In addition, each member will be given the opportunity to teach, which will further equip their ministry skills. The study group model has distinct advantages.

Appendix 2: Reflection Questions

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Writing is one of the best ways to learn. In class, we take notes and write papers, and these methods are used to help us learn and retain the material. The same is true with the Word of God. Obviously, all the authors of Scripture were writers. This helped them better learn the Scriptures and also enabled them to more effectively teach it. As you reflect on God’s Word, using the Bible Teacher’s Guide, take time to write so you can similarly grow both in your learning and teaching.

How would you summarize the main points of the text/chapter? Write a brief summary.
What stood out to you most in the reading? Did any of the contents trigger any memories or experiences? If so, please share them.
What follow–up questions did you have about the reading? What parts did you not fully agree with?
What applications did you take from the reading, and how do you plan to implement them into your life?
Write several commitment statements: As a result of my time studying God’s Word, I will . . .
What are some practical ways to pray as a result of studying the text? Spend some time ministering to the Lord through prayer.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Man (Anthropology)

Appendix 3: Walking The Romans Road

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How can a person be saved? From what is he saved? How can someone have eternal life? Scripture teaches that after death each person will spend eternity either in heaven or hell. How can a person go to heaven?

Paul said this to Timothy:

You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

One of the reasons God gave us Scripture is to make us wise for salvation. This means that without it, nobody can know how to be saved.

Well then, how can a people be saved and what are they being saved from? A common method of sharing the good news of salvation is through the Romans Road. One of the great themes, not only of the Bible, but specifically of the book of Romans is salvation. In Romans, the author, Paul, clearly details the steps we must take in order to be saved.

How can we be saved? What steps must we take?

Step One: We Must Accept That We Are Sinners

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What does it mean to sin? The word sin means “to miss the mark.” The mark we missed is reflecting God’s image. When God created mankind in the Genesis narrative, he created man in the “image of God” (1:27). The “image of God” means many things, but probably, most importantly it means we were made to be holy just as he is holy. Man was made moral. We were meant to reflect God’s holiness in every way: the way we think, the way we talk, and the way we act. And any time we miss the mark in these areas, we commit sin.

Furthermore, we do not only sin when we commit a sinful act such as lying, stealing, or cheating. Again, we sin anytime we have a wrong heart motive. The greatest commandments in Scripture are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:36-40, paraphrase). Whenever we don’t love God supremely and love others as ourselves, we sin and fall short of the glory of God. For this reason, man is always in a state of sinning. Sadly, even if our actions are good, our heart is bad. I have never loved God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, and neither has anybody else. Therefore, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). We have all missed the mark of God’s holiness and we must accept this.

What’s the next step?

Step Two: We Must Understand We Are Under The Judgment Of God

Why are we under the judgment of God? It is because of our sins. Scripture teaches that God is not only a loving God, but he is also a just God. And his justice requires judgment for each of our sins. Romans 6:23 says, “For the payoff of sin is death.”

A payoff or wage is something we earn. Every time we sin, we earn the wage of death. What is death? Death really means separation. In physical death, the body is separated from the spirit, but in spiritual death, man is separated from God. Man currently lives in a state of spiritual death (cf. Eph 2:1-3). We do not love God, obey him, or know him as we should. Therefore, man is in a state of death.

Moreover, one day at our physical death, if we have not been saved, we will spend eternity separated from God in a very real hell. In hell, we will pay the wage for each of our sins. Therefore, in hell people will experience various degrees of punishment (cf. Lk 12:47-48). This places man in a very dangerous predicament—unholy and therefore under the judgment of God.

How should we respond to this? This leads us to our third step.

Step Three: We Must Recognize God Has Invited All To Accept His Free Gift Of Salvation

Romans 6:23 does not stop at the wages of sin being death. It says, “For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because God loved everybody on the earth, he offered the free gift of eternal life, which anyone can receive through Jesus Christ.

Because it is a gift, it cannot be earned. We cannot work for it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.”

Going to church, being baptized, giving to the poor, or doing any other righteous work does not save. Salvation is a gift that must be received from God. It is a gift that has been prepared by his effort alone.

How do we receive this free gift?

Step Four: We Must Believe Jesus Christ Died For Our Sins And Rose From The Dead

If we are going to receive this free gift, we must believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Because God loved us, cared for us, and didn’t want us to be separated from him eternally, he sent his Son to die for our sins. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Similarly, John 3:16 says, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God so loved us that he gave his only Son for our sins.

Jesus Christ was a real, historical person who lived 2,000 years ago. He was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life. He was put to death by the Romans and the Jews. And after he was buried, he rose again on the third day. In his death, he took our sins and God’s wrath for them and gave us his perfect righteousness so we could be accepted by God. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” God did all this so we could be saved from his wrath.

Christ’s death satisfied the just anger of God over our sins. When God looked at Jesus on the cross, he saw us and our sins and therefore judged Jesus. And now, when God sees those who are saved, he sees his righteous Son and accepts us. In salvation, we have become the righteousness of God.

If we are going to be saved, if we are going to receive this free gift of salvation, we must believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for our sins (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-5, Rom 10:9-10). Do you believe?

Step Five: We Must Confess Christ As Lord Of Our Lives

Romans 10:9-10 says,

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.

Not only must we believe, but we must confess Christ as Lord of our lives. It is one thing to believe in Christ but another to follow Christ. Simple belief does not save. Christ must be our Lord. James said this: “…Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear” (James 2:19), but the demons are not saved—Christ is not their Lord.

Another aspect of making Christ Lord is repentance. Repentance really means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Before we met Christ, we were living our own life and following our own sinful desires. But when we get saved, our mind and direction change. We start to follow Christ as Lord.

How do we make this commitment to the lordship of Christ so we can be saved? Paul said we must confess with our mouth “Jesus is Lord” as we believe in him. Romans 10:13 says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you admit that you are a sinner and understand you are under God’s wrath because of it; if you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for your sins, and rose from the dead for your salvation; if you are ready to turn from your sin and cling to Christ as Lord, you can be saved.

If this is your heart, then you can pray this prayer and commit to following Christ as your Lord.

Dear heavenly Father, I confess I am a sinner and have fallen short of your glory, what you made me for. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose from the dead so I can have eternal life. I am turning away from my sin and accepting you as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life and change me. Thank you for your gift of salvation.

Scripture teaches that if you truly accepted Christ as your Lord, then you are a new creation. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come!” God has forgiven your sins (1 John 1:9), he has given you his Holy Spirit (Rom 8:15), and he is going to disciple you and make you into the image of his Son (cf. Rom 8:29). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5), and he will complete the work he has begun in your life (Phil 1:6). In heaven, angels and saints are rejoicing because of your commitment to Christ (Lk 15:7).

Praise God for his great salvation! May God keep you in his hand, empower you through the Holy Spirit, train you through mature believers, and use you to build his kingdom! “He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this” (1 Thess 5:24). God bless you!

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

Introduction

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But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.

Hebrews 6:9 (NET)

What is salvation? Why do humans need it? And what is its process? The doctrine of salvation essentially teaches how humans are condemned to an eternal hell by a just and righteous God because of their sins. However, instead of condemning all of humanity without any hope of redemption, God provided a means of salvation, so that the condemned may become righteous and dwell eternally with him in a place of blessing.

Though an individual’s salvation happens instantaneously—at a moment in time—there is a traceable process to the experience. Theologians call this ordo salutis, which is Latin for the order of salvation.¹ In Romans 8:30, Paul describes many aspects of this process. He says, “And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” In this study, we will consider salvation by exploring some of the elements within the order of it, the gospel message, and theological issues associated with salvation such as, “Why does God elect people to salvation?” “How does a believer become more like Christ?” “Can a believer lose his salvation?” and “How does a person know if he or she is truly saved?” The intent behind studying these is that we’ll be able to know the true gospel in contrast with a false gospel, gain wisdom to grow in our sanctification, develop hope in our future glorification, and increase our sense of awe and joy in the great salvation that God planned for us. May God abundantly bless your study and give you transforming insight!

¹ Aaron, Daryl. Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day: How can I know God? Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

1. Election / Predestination

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Often when investigating salvation, people immediately consider the present aspect of salvation—how a person can be delivered from eternal judgment for his sins. However, each person’s salvation begins before time. This is known as the doctrine of election or predestination. Scripture teaches that before time, God chose some to salvation and passed over others. This is a very difficult doctrine, but it is taught throughout the New Testament. Consider some of the verses:

Ephesians 1:4-6 says:

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.

Paul taught that believers were chosen (or elected) before the foundation of the earth. They were predestined to become children of God. Likewise, in 2 Timothy 1:9, Paul said: “He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” The basis of God’s choosing was not works that these people did, since God chose them before time. He chose them based on his own purpose and grace. In fact, in Acts, when people accepted Christ, Luke, the narrator, often pointed to their election before time. Acts 13:48 says, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed.” Furthermore, the apostle John, describes how in the end times, everybody will be deceived by the Antichrist except those whose names were written in the book of life before God created the earth—referring to the elect. Revelation 17:8 says:

The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The inhabitants of the earth—all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world—will be astounded when they see that the beast was, and is not, but is to come.

Certainly, this is a challenging and potentially disturbing doctrine, but Scripture clearly teaches it.

Why Did God Elect Some to Salvation?

Though controversial, everybody believes in election, since it’s so clearly and repetitively taught in Scripture (cf. Eph 1:4, 2 Thess 2:13, 2 Tim 1:9, John 15:16, Col 3:12, etc.). However, not everybody agrees on why God elects (and some disagree about who God elects). Some believe that God elects based simply on his right as God, apart from any merit or future merit in those called. (This is the Reformed view often held by Presbyterians, Reformed Baptists, Reformed Church of America, etc.). Others believe God elects based on his foreknowing the fact that specific persons would accept Christ as their Lord and Savior in the future. (This is the Arminian view often held by Wesleyans, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc.). Those who believe this perspective point to verses like Romans 8:30 which says: “because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Also, 1 Peter 1:1-2 says: “…who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood.” Clearly, these texts say that God’s foreknowledge is the basis of election. However, those who disagree with the view that God elects based on his foreknowing that people would accept him, point out that this “foreknowledge” is not referring to knowing certain facts about a person, it is referring to knowing somebody intimately and experientially in a saving manner. This is how the word is used in 1 Corinthians 8:3. It says, ^“But if someone loves God, he is known by God.” To be “known by God” here means to be known in a saving sense. Christ also uses “know” in this way. When talking about those who professed him as Lord in the end times but weren’t truly saved, Christ said to them, “I never knew you” (Matt 7:23).

For further support, the word “know” was also used of intimate relationships in the Old Testament and not simply knowing information about someone. For example, Genesis 4:1 (ESV) says, “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain.” Knowing something intellectual about a person doesn’t create a baby; that happens by an act of intimacy. That understanding of “know” is what both Romans 8:30 and 1 Peter 1:1-2 convey. Before God created the earth, God knew certain people in a special way, and that way refers to a saving relationship. In addition, with Jeremiah, God said to him, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). “Chose” can also be translated “knew” (ESV, NIV, NASB). God wasn’t saying to Jeremiah that he knew specific information about him before he was born. God was saying that he knew Jeremiah intimately and called him for a special purpose—being a prophet.

Therefore, election is not God’s selection of those whom he foreknew would believe in him—a view often called conditional election. In that case, God would simply be confirming their future belief, and election would not involve God’s choice at all (cf. Eph 1:4). God’s election of some to salvation is unconditional—based simply on God’s choice. Because of this, Wayne Grudem defines election as, “an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.”¹

Human Inability

Further evidence that God is not electing people because he foresees their future faith is found in what the Bible teaches about the sinful state of unbelievers. Scripture teaches something called human inability, also called total depravity. When sin entered the world, it affected people in such a way that they will not choose God apart from God choosing them. Consider the following verses: Romans 8:7-8 (ESV) says, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Before salvation, people are naturally hostile to God and cannot submit to his laws. First Corinthians 2:14 says, “The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” It’s not that people don’t have free will to trust and follow Christ. They do! However, their nature has been so eroded by sin, they will always reject Christ. A lion will eat meat rather than grass 100 out of 100 times because it’s his nature. In the same way, people apart from God’s grace in salvation will reject God 100 out of 100 times because of their nature.

Then, how can God save anybody? He must elect some and give them faith to believe. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.” Even the faith that a saved person professes is a gift from God. Likewise, Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.”

Therefore, in election we see the character of God. Because God is just, sinners will be condemned to hell to pay their sins. However, because God is merciful, he elects a remnant to save.

Based on God Not People

On what basis does God elect, then? Though no text ever points to a human’s decision as the basis of election ², Scripture gives various other reasons: (1) Ephesians 1:4 says God elects because of his “love.” (2) Ephesians 1:5 says “according to the pleasure of his will.” (3) Romans 9:19-24 simply argues that God elects because it’s his “right” as Creator. In discerning that some would view God’s election of certain individuals and passing over of others as unfair, Paul says:

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?” But who indeed are you—a mere human being—to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use? But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? And what if he is willing to make known the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us, whom he has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

Paul simply says, God is God. He has the right to do what he wants, just like a potter making various vessels—some for honor and some for regular use.

Is Election Fair?

This brings up the fairness of election. When considering salvation, it must be remembered that the only fair result would be the condemnation of all. Scripture teaches that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). The fair wage for even a wrong thought is eternal separation from God. God would be just if he condemned all people to hell. Also, it must be remembered that before humanity fell into sin, there was a fall among the angels in heaven, of which God spared none. Second Peter 2:5 says, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment.” Therefore, election is God’s merciful intervention into humanity’s desperate state. And it is just because he paid the penalty for the elects’ sins through his Son’s death (cf. Eph 5:25, John 3:16).

In addition, it must be remembered that those who never had the chance to hear the gospel will not be condemned to hell because they rejected Christ. They will be condemned for disobeying the knowledge they had—not the knowledge they didn’t have. For example, Scripture teaches that every person is without excuse for believing in God because of the witness of creation. Romans 1:19-21 says:

because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.

If somebody sees a magnificent painting, nobody in his right mind will think the painting didn’t have a creator. The order and beauty of the painting convincingly argue for one. This is even more true when considering the complexity of a human cell—it is more complex than an airplane. People who don’t know the gospel will be judged for their rejection of the true God. Even the worship of false gods is a rejection of the true God. Romans 1:22-23 says: “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.”

Furthermore, humans will not only be condemned for rejecting God but also for breaking his known laws, which are written on their hearts, within their conscience. Romans 2:14-16 says,

For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

Proof of the conscience is evident in how almost all societies—no matter what part of the world they are located—have identical laws: do not lie, do not steal, and do not kill, among others. This is proof that God’s laws are written on people’s hearts.

Therefore, God is just in condemning sinners, even if they never heard the gospel. They are condemned based on the knowledge they have about God and his laws. For this reason, those who are condemned will have differing punishments based on the knowledge they had and their obedience to it (Lk 12:42-28). Likewise, those in heaven will have different rewards based on their knowledge and obedience to it.

Common Questions About Election

1. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t that make everybody robots—people without free will?

Though this may appear to be a logical conclusion, when considering Scripture’s teachings on God’s sovereignty (control over people and events) and human free will, it is evident that these somehow co-exist together. Scripture teaches that God is in control over every event happening on the earth, and yet, each of us freely makes decisions—some good, some bad, and some inconsequential. Ephesians 1:11 says God “accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will.” And yet, Scripture challenges us to love God, love others, to not lie, to not steal, and to repent and follow Christ, among other things. These exhortations prove that we can and must make choices. Therefore, the coexistence of God’s sovereignty, including the election of some and passing over of others, and humanity’s free will is a mystery. God is sovereign, and humans make free choices, for which they will be rewarded or condemned.

2. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t it remove the need for evangelism? Why evangelize if the elect will eventually be saved anyway?

The God who ordained those who would be saved, also ordained the means of salvation, which is the preaching of the gospel. In Romans 10:14, Paul says, “How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?”

In addition, Paul shared that God’s election motivated him, instead of discouraging him, to preach the gospel. In 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul said, “So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.” Often people are scared to preach the gospel because they know some will reject it. In that same sense, election is a motivation to evangelize because we know some will accept.

3. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t it mean God chose some for hell?

Scripture never uses the same language when talking about those who will go to hell. God does not need to choose people to go to hell, as everyone is on their way to hell because of their sins. God needs to choose to have mercy on some who are on their way to hell. In addition, election is always spoken about in a positive way, while the condemnation of the lost is not. Believers are often called “the elect” (1 Pet 1:1). Also, in speaking of God’s election—the hardening of some people’s hearts and consciences, while God has mercy on others (cf. Rom 11:7-11)—Paul boasts in “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom 11:25-33). Election is something that should make us rejoice in God’s great wisdom, mercy, and grace. In contrast, Scripture always talks about those who will go to hell in a negative sense. For example, Ezekiel 33:11 says,

Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefer that the wicked change his behavior and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil deeds! Why should you die, O house of Israel?’

God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked. Also, 2 Peter 3:9 says he desires that none should perish but that all would repent. Therefore, it is unbiblical to use language such as God electing some to hell. People go to hell as a just payment for their sins. People are elected to salvation because of God’s unmerited and undeserved favor on them. Scripture does not describe the two events as the same. One is deserved and the other is undeserved. One should lead us to sorrow and the other to joy.

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What is election and why is it so controversial?
What is the difference between the Reformed and Arminian view of election?
Which view do you feel is most biblical and why?
Why should we preach the gospel to unbelievers if God already elected some to salvation before time?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 670). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

² Aaron, Daryl. Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day. Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

2. Effectual Call

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The next step in the salvation process is the effectual call. Romans 8:30 says, “And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” It is clear that this was not just a hearing of the gospel, often referred to as the general call, but an effectual one because these people responded to the message and were justified—made as though they had never sinned. Wayne Grudem said this about the effectual call:

This kind of calling is a summons from the king of the universe; it is a summons that can’t be denied, and it brings about the desired response in people’s hearts. This calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith. Because it comes from God and always results in saving faith, it is sometimes referred to as effective calling.¹

A great example of this is in the story of Paul preaching the gospel to Lydia in Acts, and God opening her heart to the message in such a way that she repented. Acts 16:14 says, “A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.” Likewise, when anyone is saved, it happens because a person hears the gospel and God opens his or her heart to it, so the person can be saved.

Irresistible Call

It must also be noted that the effectual call is irresistible, unlike the general call. When Paul describes it in Romans 8:30, he essentially says those who are called, will be justified and glorified. The chain is unbroken. Christ taught the same thing in John 6:37, “Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.” The ones that God has given Christ are the elect—those predestined to salvation before time (Eph 1:4). At some point, God will effectually call them, and they will respond. In John 6:44, Christ emphasized this, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Though the general call is often rejected; when God effectually calls the elect, they will respond—leading to justification and eventual glorification (Rom 8:30).

Matthew Barrett, author of 40 Questions About Salvation, summarized it this way:

While God has a gospel call for all people, he also has an effectual call that is only for his elect. Unlike the gospel call, which can be resisted, when God calls his elect he does so effectually, irresistibly, and unfailingly. Therefore, the success of God’s special call is not dependent upon anything in man or upon anything man does. God’s effectual call is according to his good purpose and grace alone, thereby ensuring that God receives all the glory in our salvation.²

Reflection

What is the effectual call?
Why is the effectual call irresistible?
How did you experience the effectual call?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, Wayne A. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know. Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

² Barrett, Matthew. 40 Questions About Salvation (40 Questions & Answers Series). Kregel Academic. Kindle Edition.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

You are here

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1. Created and Commissioned

Reflection

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3. Male and Female

1. The creation of male and female in God’s image reflects our need for intimate, harmonious relationships.

The creation of male and female in God’s image reflects equality between the genders.

3. The creation of male and female in the image of God reflects differing roles.

Male Leadership as God’s Original Design

1. Evidence for male leadership is represented in the fact that Adam was created first before Eve.

2. Evidence for male leadership is demonstrated by the fact that Eve was made to be Adam’s helper.

3. Evidence for male leadership is demonstrated by the fact that Adam named his wife.

4. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that Satan initially approached Eve instead of Adam to reverse their roles.

5. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that God approached Adam first after the fall, instead of Eve.

6. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that Adam’s sin led to judgment on the human race and not Eve’s sin.

7. Evidence for male leadership is the fact that God named humanity man or mankind.

Corruption of Gender Roles in the Fall

Application

The LGBTQ Movement

Reflection

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4. Essential Nature of Humanity

Trichotomy

Dichotomy

Rebuttal of Trichotomy

Monism

Applications

1. Though humans have material and immaterial aspects to their nature, humans should be ministered to as a complex unity.

2. Because God created humans as complex unities, each aspect of their nature must be honored, cultivated, and used to glorify God.

Reflection

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5. Origin of the Soul

Preexistence Theory

Creation Theory

Traducian Theory

Conclusion

Reflection

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Appendix 1: Study Group Tips

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Appendix 2: Reflection Questions

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Appendix 3: Walking The Romans Road

Step One: We Must Accept That We Are Sinners

Step Two: We Must Understand We Are Under The Judgment Of God

Step Three: We Must Recognize God Has Invited All To Accept His Free Gift Of Salvation

Step Four: We Must Believe Jesus Christ Died For Our Sins And Rose From The Dead

Step Five: We Must Confess Christ As Lord Of Our Lives

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Introduction

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1. Election / Predestination

Why Did God Elect Some to Salvation?

Human Inability

Based on God Not People

Is Election Fair?

Common Questions About Election

1. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t that make everybody robots—people without free will?

2. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t it remove the need for evangelism? Why evangelize if the elect will eventually be saved anyway?

3. If unconditional election is true, doesn’t it mean God chose some for hell?

Reflection

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2. Effectual Call

Irresistible Call

Reflection

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