Significance of Human Existence in Christian Theology
Human existence holds significant meaning, particularly in its relationship to God's creative and redemptive purposes. The creation of humanity is understood as an act of God, with human beings made in God's image, though this image has been corrupted by sin [3].
A central aspect of human significance is found in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The human nature of Christ was essential for his mediatorial office, allowing him to bridge the gap between God and humanity [2]. Jesus partook of "flesh and blood" (John 1:14; Heb 2:14), experienced human emotions like weeping (Luke 19:41; John 11:35), and physical needs such as hunger and thirst (Matt 4:2; John 4:7) [2]. This full humanity means that "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col 2:9), signifying a unique and eminent dwelling of the divine within human nature [7]. The glorification of Jesus Christ's human nature is seen as an "ineffable glorification" that will continue throughout eternity [9].
Humanity, in its fallen state, is characterized by a "corruption of human nature" (John 3:6; Rom 8:7-8) [3]. This fallen state necessitates a spiritual transformation, often described as the "new birth" or "regeneration" [3, 8]. This new birth is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, often through the "word of God" and the "resurrection of Christ" [3]. It is described as a "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15) and "newness of life" (Rom 6:4), ultimately for the glory of God (Isa 43:7) [3]. This regeneration involves a "weanedness from the world," where individuals no longer pursue "carnal ends and outward advantage" but live above worldly concerns [8].
The Christian life, following this regeneration, is characterized by faith, hope, and love [1, 5]. These three virtues are considered fundamental elements of Christian character, with hope being so essential that it can define the essence of Christianity (1 Pet 3:15; Heb 10:23) [1]. Unbelievers are described as being "without this hope" (Eph 2:12; 1 Thess 4:13), while Christ is the object of the believer's hope [1]. Faith allows believers to "apprehend spiritual blessings," hope enables them to "view and expect eternal blessedness," and love demonstrates "obedience to God, and of good will and usefulness to mankind" [5].
The purpose of human existence, particularly for those who have experienced the new birth, is to glorify God. This is achieved by living a life that magnifies Christ's passion and death, showing forth "the virtues of him who called you from darkness into his marvellous light" [4]. Believers are to be "adorned with the graces of his Spirit," reflecting his "glorious excellence" [4].
A significant theological distinction is drawn between Adam and Christ, who are seen as founding two distinct humanities [6]. Adam represents a "natural and earthly" humanity, "enslaved to sin and death," while Christ represents a "spiritual and heavenly" humanity, "purified and destined for life" [6]. This contrast highlights the transformation from a physical body to a spiritual, resurrection body, where Christ's "life-giving Spirit supersedes the natural life" [6]. This understanding underscores the profound significance of human existence as a journey from a fallen state to a redeemed and glorified state through Christ.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
- 2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 1:12: That the name of our Lord - This is the great end of your Christian calling, that Jesus who hath died for you may have his passion and death magnified in your life and happiness; that ye may show forth the virtues of him who called you from darkness into his marvellous light. And ye in him - That his glorious excellence may be seen upon you; that ye may be adorned with the graces of his Spirit, as he is glorified by your salvation from all sin. According to the grace - That your salvation may be such as God requires, and such as is worthy of his grace to co”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 13:13: And now [in this present life] abideth faith, hope, charity - These three supply the place of that direct vision which no human embodied spirit can have; these abide or remain for the present state. Faith, by which we apprehend spiritual blessings, and walk with God. Hope, by which we view and expect eternal blessedness, and pass through things temporal so as not to lose those which are eternal. Charity or love, by which we show forth the virtues of the grace which we receive by faith in living a life of obedience to God, and of good will and usefulness to m”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:45: 15:45-49 Adam and Christ founded two distinct humanities: One is natural and earthly, enslaved to sin and death; the other is spiritual and heavenly, purified and destined for life. Adam represents the natural (physical) body and Christ the spiritual (resurrection) body. See also 15:21-22; Rom 5:12-21. 15:45-46 Just as Christ’s life-giving Spirit supersedes the natural life, the spiritual body will supersede the physical body.”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:9: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. This is to be understood, not of the doctrine, or Gospel of Christ, as being a perfect revelation of the will of God; but of Christ, and particularly of his human nature, as consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul, in which the Godhead dwells in a most eminent manner: God indeed is everywhere by his powerful presence, was in the tabernacle and temple in a very singular manner, and dwells in the saints in a way of special grace; but resides in the human nature of Christ, in the highest and most exalt”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 5:16: In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation. I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, Co2 5:16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:11: The glory that should follow - Not only the glory of his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his Spirit; but that grand manifestation of God's infinite love to the world in causing the Gospel of his Son to be everywhere preached, and the glorious moral changes which should take place in the world under that preaching, and the final glorification of all them who had here received the report, and continued faithful unto death. And we may add to this the ineffable glorification of the human nature of Jesus Christ, which, throughout eternity, will ”