How do we understand humanity as the “crown of creation” and as being made in the image of God? How is biblical Christianity’s understanding of this different from other concepts and world religions?
Theo Global’s Adam Smith sat down with Dr. Talant Aktanzhanov (Kazakhstan), Dr. Julian Gutierrez (Colombia/USA), and Dr. Michael Horton (USA) to discuss the contours of what it means to be human in light of biblical teaching, and in contrast to alternate views and concepts.
0:45 – Introductions
3:50 – What does it mean to be the “crown of creation,” made in the image of God?
5:40 – Ancient Near East cultures used “son” and “image” similarly, signifying God’s representatives.
7:20 – Humanity contrasted in Christianity and Islam
12:25 – God relates to humanity through covenant
13:25 – Humanity contrasted in Christianity, Transhumanism, and Gnosticism
15:20 – Humanity’s relationship with body and soul
17:25 – Importance of centering our concept of humanity on the doctrine of God and creation
20:20 – Christianity does not seek to discard our humanity, but conforms to Jesus who is the true image of God.
22:00 – Individualism, Self-determination, and Belonging. Assumptions about what it means to be human in different parts of the world
23:40 – Christianity’s Creator/Creature distinction: We are not God vs becoming gods in Mormonism, and Transhumanism.
28:00 – We must remember to extend the dignity of being the image of God to others
