Toward a Biblical Anthropology

This may sound like a strange title for a weekly church bulletin article. But it comes out of my reading, research and study of the book of Matthew.  This writer of the gospel about Jesus has many wonderful insights and perspectives on the nature of humanity as God’s creation.

                A biblical anthropology is vital if we are to understand the creature as created by the Creator. I would imagine that trying to gather up all of the biblical texts, narratives and insights from the entire Bible that teach us about the nature of humanity would be a gargantuan task! Even preparing for our small group study on Matthew was pretty enormous in and of itself! Here are some of the insights we have discovered in our study:

                Matthew begins his gospel as a record (biblos) of Jesus’ family lineage. Family history and genealogies have been important for generations. From one perspective the entire salvation-history contained within the pages of Scripture is the story of our own lineage connected to human history. We are all children of Adam and Eve.

                Fascinating that in Jesus’ family lineage there would surface some questionable characters and activities! Rahab the harlot and Tamar would not be role models for sure. One powerful lesson for each of is that our family history both makes us who are, and yet does not ultimately define who we choose to be. Many Christian counselors, pastoral counselors, and clinical therapists recognize the significance of knowing one’s family history and family system. Just look at the increasing use of genograms so that individuals can see family patterns of dysfunction with an eye toward stopping destructive cycles.

                Another great lesson is that God can use the most unlikely of people and circumstances to accomplish His will. Who would have thought that through all those generations God had his eye on a young lady named Mary who would give birth to a baby in a manger or animal stall?!

                There is more to understanding human nature than just the ability to procreate. Such procreation is an ongoing part of God’s ultimate plan through which generations raise families through whom God accomplishes his will.

                Let me end with this fascinating question: Can you discern the movement of God and His will being accomplished through your own family history?

In Christian love, Curtis