Anthropology and Hamartiology

Anthropology – Anthropology is the study or man.

The Origin of Man – All humans are the offspring of Adam and Eve, who were created by God (Genesis 2:7, 21, 22) for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) and in His image (Genesis 1:27).

The Nature of Man – Man was made lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5) but higher than the animals (Genesis 1:26). We were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This does not mean that we are like God in every way, but instead means that we bear his likeness. After the fall, man still retained the image of God but this image was distorted by sin (James 3:9). Man has a physical body that was made out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7) and was made perfectly (Genesis 1:31) but his physical body is now susceptible to death as a result of the fall (Genesis 3:19; Romans 3:23). Man also has a soul/spirit (Luke 1:46; Matthew 22:37; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). His soul/spirit is eternal as well as his body (Matthew 35:46; Galatians 6:8 ---> Matthew 10:28).

Man’s Purpose – the purpose of man is to bring glory to God by enjoying Him forever.

Hamartiology – Hamartiology is the study of the doctrine of sin.

Definition – Sin is the failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.

Origin of Sin – God cannot sin (James 1:14). Sin originated with Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:13-19). Both men and angels have the capacity to sin (Psalm 51:5; 1 Timothy 5:21) and willfully do so (Romans 3:23) except for the elect angels (as they are chosen by God and cannot be saved), which cannot sin.

The Effects of Sin in the Garden – Sin brought about physical death (Romans 5:12; 6:23), spiritual death (Genesis 2:17; Revelation 21:8), moral corruption (Genesis 3:7-8; Galatians 5:19:21) and a cursed earth, man, woman, serpent, and Satan (Genesis 3:14-19).

Types of Sin – Inherited sin is sin passed on from our parents that originated with Adam (Romans 3:18; 5:12). It causes us to be separated from God spiritually (Romans 7:18; Jeremiah 17:9) and prevents us from doing good before God (John 15:5; Romans 8:8). Imputed sin is sin imputed to us by Adam (Romans 5:12). Personal sin is the sin of an individual that is willfully committed (Romans 3:9-18) and can take on many forms, including but not limited to – sin of ignorance, purposeful sin, missing the mark, and disobeying. A Christian that sins needs to seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Sin has sources in Satan (John 8:44), the world (John 15:18-19), and the heart of man (Matthew 15:19).

Sin Nature – Every man has a sin nature and is at odds with God (Romans 1:20-21; Isaiah 53:6). This sin nature prevents us from doing God’s will and coming to God (John 6:44), and it effects every part of our being so that we are totally depraved. This means that we are affected by sin in every fiber of our being, not that we are as sinful as we are capable of being all the time. The sin nature remains after salvation and will be with the believer until his dies (Romans 7:24-25).

Unforgivable /Unpardonable Sin – The unpardonable sin is the willful act of attributing the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Christ during his earthly ministry to Satan and his demons (Matthew 12:31). The unforgivable sin can only be committed today by means of an individual never seeking to reconcile to God- continued unbelief.