2008 Lectureship and Book
Do You Understand the Biblical View of Man
by Brian R. Kenyon

On the sixth day of creation, “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness....So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27).

Mankind was the crowning act of God’s creation. Adam was given the perfect place to live according to God’s purpose. However, something was missing in his life. God already made the assessment that “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18), but Adam had not yet come to that realization. Thus, God had Adam to name all the animals. When Adam finished giving names to the animals, he also realized that “there was not found an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:19-20). God, therefore, created the woman from the side of man and instituted a special relationship, marriage, where intimate companion-ship could be shared (Gen. 2:24).

Man and woman are equal by nature. Both are created in the image of God; both are of the same nature. Yes, the man and woman are given different roles instrumentally (cf. Eph. 5:21-33; 1 Tim. 2:8-15), but intrinsically, they are equal.

Note the terminology used by the Bible in describing the man and the woman. “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created” (Gen. 5:1-2). The phrase, “and called their name Adam” is also translated, “and called them Mankind” (NKJ); “and named them Man” (NAS). The point is that both male and female can be referred to as “man,” because both are of the same nature. Thus, the title of our 2008 lectureship book, Do You Understand the Biblical View of Man?, does not just apply to males, but to all humanity.

The Biblical view of mankind shows that as image bearers of God, our purpose is to glorify God (cf. Isa. 43:7). Sin, however, renders this impossible, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Since God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:13), mankind needs a Savior and a mediator. Thanks be to God that He has supplied us with both of these, in the one person of Jesus Christ!

The Biblical view of mankind shows us that we are composed of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23), or simply put, the “inward man” and the “outward man” (cf. Eph. 3:16). The Bible teaches that the “outward man” perishes, but the “inward man” continues to live (2 Cor. 4:16-5:1). At death, the “outward man” returns to the dust from which it was made, but the “inward man” returns back to God who gave it (Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:7). However, on Judgment Day, each person’s body will be reunited with his or her spirit/soul in resurrection to stand before God in judgment (Mt. 25:31-33; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 20:11-15). At this time, “the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:52-53).

In order for the resurrection to be a victory, men and women must understand their nature and their God-given responsibilities. They must know how to confront the world and overcome it. They must know the relationships they sustain with God, one another, and earthly institutions. Understanding these truths is why this lectureship and book exist. The book is dedicated to J. H. Blackman, Jr. and should be available by mid-December.

Man’s Nature And Responsibility

This first section of the book deals with human nature and responsibilities. This section begins with a study on the Biblical view of Jesus as a man. Jesus’ humanity is often misunderstood, but under-standing Jesus’ humanity causes us to appreciate Him even more, and it also encourages us to know that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14). This section also includes lessons on “Man’s Duty to Love God,” “Man’s Duty to Love Truth,” “Man and Benevolence,” “Man Is Created to Work,” “Man Is to Glorify God,” “Man Is to Seek God,” “Man’s Duty to Love His Fellow Man,” and “Man Is to Worship God.”

An especially valuable chapter in this section is entitled, “The Biblical View of Brotherly Love,” which addresses the notion that whenever a Christian is in the presence of someone who has ever taught error, the Christian must right then refute the false teaching or else the Christian becomes a par-taker in the false teaching.

The author of the chapter deals with this false argument: “Whenever a person (‘A’) is in a situation (that is, any activity) with another person (‘B’) who has ever taught error and has never repented (as far as A knows), or whenever B is quoted (even if the quote is a truth), A must, within the time-frame or space of the same activity, refute all of the error or errors, as much as time allows, or A sins.”

In addition to a tremendous study of Biblical brotherly love, this chapter is also insightful in sorting out generic commands, actions that are optional, delegated authority, and how these apply to judgment calls. It also deals with key Bible verses that relate to the argument above (Mt. 10:14; Acts 13:49-51; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 15:33-34; Gal. 6:1-5; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:12; 2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 3:1-6).

Man’s Confronting The World

This part contains chapters that relate to living in this world and overcoming the influences that seek to destroy faith in God. Chapter titles are “The Biblical View of Man and Sin,” “The Bible Versus ‘Pop Psychology,’” “Biblical Ethics Reflected in Philosophical Ethics,” “Man and the Influence of Demons” and “Radical Homosexuality.”

Man’s Relationships

This section considers the relationships people sustain to one another. Chapters in this section are entitled “The Biblical View of Man as an Employer and an Employee,” “The Biblical View of Man as Leader of His Family,” “The Biblical View of Woman as Man’s Helper,” and “The Biblical View of Man and Civil Government.”

Forum Topics

As we have done for the past several years, the afternoon sessions of our lectureship focus on special topics relating to the overall theme, followed by a period of questions and answers on those particular lessons. While we cannot publish the questions and answers, this book does contain the lessons that were delivered in those forums. The first forum focuses on The Biblical View of Man and the Home. The lessons are “The Home Impacts the Church,” “The Home’s Impact on Society,” and “Broken Homes and Handicapped Children.” The second forum covers The Biblical View of Man and Eschatology. Chapter titles are “The Final State of Man,” and “Sources of Skepticism: Denying Eternal Punishment.” The third forum examines The Biblical View of Man and Origins. The topics addressed here are “Evolution and the Biblical View of Man,” “Mankind Is Created in the Image of God,” and “The Origin of the Soul.” The fourth forum concerns The Biblical View of Man and Restoration. The lessons are “Man Needs to Be Restored,” “Man and Substance Abuse,” and “Man and Recovery Programs.”

Appendix

This final section contains material not part of the oral lessons. A key attraction to this section is the articles written by women. These include “Older Women Teach the Younger Women,” “Influence Exerted by Women,” “Practical Lessons on Wives Helping Their Husbands,” and “Biblical Insights from Lydia for Professional Women.” Also included in the appendix are chapters “Is Eternal Punishment Justified,” “Annihilation: Implications Regarding the Nature of Man,” “Homosexuality,” “Influence of the Warren-Flew Debate,” and “Man Needs Hope.”

This book will make a great addition to any library, especially preachers, elders, and teachers. Order your copy today!