Introduction
A human being in Christianity is generally thought of as a creature created in the image of God, endowed with the capacity and purpose of loving, worshipping and serving God, living in fellowship with fellow human beings, and caring responsibly for the physical world God has made. This follows the teaching of the Bible, and the theology of the Christian Church, as well as the Christian belief that man is both spirit and body.
God’s Image
In the Bible, mankind is described as being created in the “image of God”. This phrase is common to all of the Bible’s versions, and is thought to describe the fact that humans are the only creatures who have been given the capacity to commune with and serve their Creator. Although it may be argued that animals and other organisms have shown forms of spirit-like behavior, only humans were given the unique capability of reflecting upon what it means to be divine with our thoughts, feelings, and decisions. This image of God is seen in the moral standards we bear, as well as in our social and technological advances.
Human Soul
In Christianity, the soul is seen as the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of human life. It is believed to be the immortal spark given at conception to separate the human being from other creatures on this earth. This means that the soul is that which is preserved for eternity, even after death. The Church also teaches that, through the soul, we can communicate with God and be in union with Him. The doctrine of the soul also states that only humans are capable of having a relationship with God because only they have this spiritual essence within them.
The Human Body
Christianity teaches that a human being is both spirit and body, and that God created us in His image, so that we would be able to know Him. The soul of the human being is viewed as something separate from but intimately linked with the physical body. As such, the physical body is seen as a ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’. We are also taught that, as part of God’s creation, our physical bodies can be used for expressing His will in service to others and in worship of Him.
Humility
Humility is seen as an important quality that God expects us to embody as human beings. In the Bible, Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to be humble in our service to God. We are taught to view ourselves as equal to others, and to not think of ourselves as better or more deserving than anyone else. In our daily life, humility is important for recognizing the value and uniqueness of those around us and for gaining the wisdom of knowing one’s limitations.
Loving Others
The Bible says that God’s greatest commandment to us is to love Him, and to love one another. The Church’s teaching reminds us that our capacity to love is a mark of being made in the image of God, and is our ultimate hope for bringing about justice and mercy in the world. The importance of loving our neighbor is also reflected in both the Ten Commandments, as well as in Jesus’ teachings to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.
Obedience to God
The Christian faith teaches us to live in obedience to God and His will. This is seen as a fundamental part of being a human being in Christianity. We are encouraged to live our lives in accordance with the Bible’s teachings, and to seek to honor God in all that we do. The Bible also warns us that living in obedience to God will often mean going against the norms of society and following God’s will, no matter the cost.
Sacrifice
Christians are taught that throughout the Bible, God has asked us to make sacrifices for His sake and for the sake of others. We are called to develop a sacrificial attitude, shown in our willingness to put others before ourselves, and to put our faith in God even when it is difficult. This ultimately reflects the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us by Jesus Christ on the cross.
Living With Integrity
Christianity teaches us to live with integrity and moral uprightness. This means living our lives in such a way that we exhibit virtues such as honesty and respect in our interactions with others. In addition, we are taught to forgive those who have wronged us, to reject evil and oppression, and to live in harmony with our Creator and His Word. Ultimately, living an integrity-filled life is seen as a demonstration of our faith and our commitment to honoring God.
Compassion and Mercy
We are taught to be compassionate and merciful in our dealings with other people. This is seen as a mark of a true Christian and reflects the character of Christ in us. We are taught to be kind and to show empathy and forgiveness to others, particularly those who are suffering. We are also encouraged to actively seek out ways to bring hope to the downtrodden and outcast, and to practice the biblical admonition to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’.
What We Believe
Finally, beliefs and values are central to the human being in Christianity. We believe that we were created by God in His image and for His purpose and seek to live in line with His will. We are taught to embody Christ’s teachings, to remain humble in our service to God, and to show mercy and compassion to those around us. We strive to reject evil and strive each day to conform ourselves to the image of our Creator.
