MAN

The Greek term for "man" is anthropos. Plato suggested that the word reflects the idea of an "upward looking" one, hinting, perhaps, that man finds no rest upon this planet. He is ever searching for his Maker. The term "man" is used generically -- for human kind. "Let us make man in our image male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:26-27; cf. 6:3). Then, more specifically, "man" is used of the male of the species. "And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him" (Gen. 3:9, 20; 4:1). The question: "What is man?" (Psa. 8:4), has intrigued humanity since the dawn of time. Skepticism answers that he is but a freak of nature, the product of time and chance. All of the rational evidence points elsewhere. Man is a composite of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23). Each of these components deserves consideration. (a) Man's body is that which is material. The magnificent intricacy and orchestration argues for creative design, thus a designer (cf. Psa. 94:9; 139:14-15; 1 Cor. 12:18). Dr. William Beck of Harvard authored a textbook on anatomy/physiology which he appropriately titled, Human Design. That title speaks more than the author intended. (b) The human being is possessed of "soul" (psuche) as well. The term "soul" is used in varying ways in Scripture. Frequently it stands for the entire person (Ex. 1:5; 1 Pet. 3:20). Sometimes "soul" refers to the biological life within a physical organism -- that which man shares in common with animals (Gen. 1:30; Mt. 2:20; Lk. 12:22). On the other hand, "soul" may be used of the eternal aspect of man, that which survives the death of the physical body (Mt. 10:28; Lk. 21:19; 1 Pet. 2:11; 3 Jn. 2; Rev. 6:9). (c) Man also has a "spirit" (pneuma) which resides within him, and without which he is dead (Lk. 8:55; Jas. 2:26). At the point of death, the spirit returns to the Creator who will deal with it justly (Eccl. 12:7). While "soul" and "spirit" are at times used interchangeably, mostly it is "spirit" that stands for the "inner man" (2 Cor. 4:16), that imperishable element of the human being that was created in the very image of God (Gen. 1:26). The spirit is that which has emotion (Dan. 7:15; Lk. 2:47; 1 Cor. 16:18) and intellect (1 Cor. 4:11). Three questions have ever been supreme for human consideration: (a) Whence our origin? The answer is: God. (b) What is our purpose? Atheism says: "We have none." Scripture affirms: "To reverence God and keep his commandments" (Eccl. 12:13; cf. Isa. 43:7). (c) What is the destiny of humanity? Either "at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23) in heaven (Mt. 6:19; 2 Tim. 4:18), or for ever estranged from the Creator (Mt. 7:23; 2 Thes. 1:9) in GEHENNA (see).