Man and Christ (Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 2)

Top Highlights

“As Erickson points out, an imbalanced view of human nature can distort the way we do ministry.¹³ If we view people as mere minds, we will focus on intellectual ministry and expect teaching in itself to change them. If we believe that people are driven by emotions, then we will seek to motivate them by counseling them through past experiences and creating new emotional experiences. If we reduce people to their relationships, then our ministry might minimize doctrine and maximize fellowship. If we overspiritualize our understanding of people, we will treat physical problems as moral failures. We need a biblically balanced perspective on man in order to exercise a wise, balanced, holistic ministry.” (Pages 42–43)

“Theology, in general, is the knowledge and wisdom derived from meditating upon and obeying the word of God.⁵ Therefore, theological anthropology is the submissive study of God’s Word to learn about ourselves.” (Pages 38–39)

“However, in modern culture, freedom has been redefined as the liberty of the individual to do whatever he pleases without constraint, restraint, or rebuke, so long as it does not harm others.” (Page 45)

“5. Man defined by individual freedom. The Reformers” (Page 45)

“‘Depravity’ means a state of corruption or distortion (Latin depravatio). ‘Total’ does not refer to the intensity of sin, as if everyone were as bad as they possibly could be, but to the extent of corruption, for sin corrupts every part of the human person and stains everything that we do.” (Page 365)