БОЛЬШАЯ ИДЕЯ
As we understand how we are created, as human beings, we will understand ourselves better.
ЧИТАТЬ
Ps. 139
МЫСЛИ
God creates us in three distinct but interwoven parts: body, soul, and spirit (Gen. 1:26–27, 2:7; Job 7:11; Heb. 4:12).
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved com- plete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23
Body
The body is the part of us that helps us connect with our envi- ronment and others around us in the natural world. It’s made up of our physical senses (taste, touch, sight, hearing, smell). It receives information from our physical environment and manifests what our soul decides to do with that information in particular (Gen. 2:7, 18:27; Job 34:15; Ps. 90:3; Isa. 64:8).
Soul
The soul is made up of our mind, heart, and emotions. It in- fluences our body and is connected to the spirit. The mind re- ceives and analyzes what comes from the physical world. It stores memories of past experiences and perceptions. It influences the body’s actions. Its conclusions and preferred activities are based on the focus of the heart.
The heart is the centre of intention in our being. It influences all we do. Its motives are formed by the voice it listens to and trusts in outside of itself. Both the mind and the spirit control it. Its prima- ry function is to decide what voice to hear. It is “the will” of who we are. It can be focused on the natural world (as understood in the mind and received through the senses, whether from God or another voice), or can focus on the Spirit of God.
The emotions are the product of fulfilled/unfulfilled expecta- tions based on belief founded in experiential (what we have expe- rienced) and empirical (what we think ought to be) understanding. Emotions are a result of the interaction of the heart and the mind (Num. 16:22, 27:16; Ps. 139:14; Eccles. 12:7; Isa. 42:5; Zech. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:45).
Spirit
The part of us that holds God’s Spirit. Through this connec- tion, God’s nature can affect our soul and body (Num. 16:22, 27:16; Eccles. 12:7; Isa. 42:5; Zech. 12:1).
Interactions
All of me interacts with all of me. One part affects the other: spirit/body (1 Kings 21:5; James 2:26), soul/spirit (Deut. 2:30; Job 7:11; Ps. 51:10, 51:17, 77:6, 78:8, 143:4; Prov. 15:13, 17:22; Isa. 57:15, 65:14; Lam. 1:20), body/soul/spirit (Exod. 35:21; Prov. 15:13; Lam. 2:11; Ezek. 21:7; Dan. 5:20).
Purpose
Why are we here? What is our purpose? This is a major theme that we can see through the entire Bible. It gets started right at the beginning.
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female, he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Gen. 1:26–28 (emphasis added)
In the beginning, we see that God creates everything good. He creates humanity (male and female) in His image and gives them the power and ability to multiply themselves and govern creation.
The phrase “in God’s image” appears many times throughout the Bible and explains our purpose. The idea is that as a mirror, shadow, or odour is merely a reflection of a source, so we as hu- man beings are a reflection in the earth of who God is over every- thing. We are not God, but we mirror Him. Theologians sometimes summarize this by stating that humanity is created for “the glory of God” or “to worship God” (Gen. 1:26–27, 2:7, 5:1, 6:6, 9:6; Deut. 4:32; Ps. 39:5, 89:47, 104:30; Eccles. 11:5; Isa. 43:7, 45:12; Mal. 2:10; Matt. 19:4; John 1:3; Acts 17:26; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
ДИСКУССИЯ
- Explain the spirit, soul, and body and how they interact together. If it’s helpful, draw a diagram of this reality.
- Describe the difference between knowing something in your mind and sensing something in your spirit.