The Oft-Forgotten Inherent Dignity of Humankind

Dear Susan,

Your complaints are not without a basis in reality. We Christians are often far too negative in our assessment of others. I believe this happens because it is hard to balance Scripture's teaching on humankind's depravity with its teaching on humankind's dignity. It is easier to overemphasize one or the other. But if we are to be faithful to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, then we must proclaim the Bible's entire message concerning the human situation. When we fail to present this balanced teaching, we then have no real ability to take into account the full-orbed experience of humanity -- for it is certainly wrought with expressions of dignity and depravity.

Viewing reality on the whole, I think we can both agree that humankind is more of a mystery and paradox than we often admit. The contradiction in humanity is deep and profound. One Christian theologian has put it this way,

On the one hand, he is capable of incredible accomplishments, including space travel and huge leaps in communication, information processing, and medicine. But while making these strides in controlling the physical world of nature, man seems unable to control himself... If man on one hand seems to be almost a god, reaching for the stars, on the other hand he seems to be a devil, capable of cruelty not found in the animal kingdom" (Millard Ericksen, Christian Theology 462).

350 years ago, the inventor/philosopher, Blaise Pascal, vividly expressed the same thing, "What a chimera, then, is man! What a novelty! What a monster, what a chaos, what a contradiction, what a prodigy! Judge of all things, imbecile worm of the earth; depositary of truth, a sink of uncertainty and error; the pride and refuse of the universe!" [1]

The truth that both of these thinkers hit upon is that we, as human beings, are far more complex than is often realized. Thus, it is impossible to reduce our explanation of humankind into simple statements that man is a sinner, an animal, a machine, or a god-in-waiting. None of these statements are able to embrace the full expression of humankind's dignity as well as its depravity. And yet, both of these factors are recognizable in daily living and both are taught in the Holy Scriptures.

I do not think it is possible to fully realize the extent of human sinfulness without a consideration of the extent of human greatness. Human depravity is seen at its worst when it is viewed against the backdrop of human dignity. As one author wrote, humankind is a "magnificent ruin." As we survey the ruin, we see signs of a past greatness as well as the potential for future glory. But we also recognize that all is not as it should be. Something horrible has destroyed something great and glorious. When we recognize this, the tragedy of depravity becomes more horrific.

The past greatness of this "magnificent ruin" is explained in the Scriptures in two ways. First, humankind has dignity due to God's work of creation. In the Genesis account of the Scriptures, humankind is presented as the crown of God's creation. Humankind is described by God as an "image-bearer" of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and is given a special status by God as vice-regent over all of God's handiwork (Gen. 1:28-31). Thus, the great significance of humanity in God's creation is taught from the beginning of Holy Writ (cf. Psalm 8). Second, humankind has dignity due to God's work of redemption in Christ. The Christian faith teaches that the second person of the triune Godhead took upon himself human flesh, uniting God with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus forever remains fully human as well as fully God. No higher compliment could be made to humanity than this!

However, the reason that Jesus does this, according to the Scriptures, is primarily redemptive. In other words, it is necessary in light of the "ruin" part of the "magnificent ruin." Humankind, through its sin and rebellion, has distorted God's initial purpose in creation. We see evidence of this all around us. Obviously, as you stated, we see greatness, but sadly, as you must admit, we see tragedy as well. Oftentimes, our own greatness magnifies our ability to greatly hurt others rather than help them. And this destructive ability is not limited to a few sad exceptions in our society. We all know the guilt and discomfort that arises from our own failed attempts at living up to even our own standards, much less God's.

Christians, if they are to be faithful to the Scriptures, while continuing to proclaim the reality of humankind's depravity, should also loudly proclaim humankind's dignity and special status as the pinnacle of God's creation. To be human is a good thing. We should delight in all the wide variety of people that inhabit this earth and all the diversity of expression and differences in abilities, talents, and insights. Indeed, we should delight in people merely as people. Because all humans are made in God's image, even the bum in the gutter displays more of the glory of God than the greatest mountain scene or ocean-side view. [2] Christians, therefore, should oppose anything that dehumanizes individuals, for people have supreme value in God's eyes. [3]

It is this inherent dignity that makes sin and the distortions it produces so heinous. This is ultimately why Christians grieve over the human condition. We grieve over how far we have fallen! We were created for so much more! It saddens Christians to view the wasted and empty lives that rebellion against God produces in the world -- both in its most extreme forms, as well as in its most innocuous forms. If you had to watch someone take the most beautiful diamond you had ever seen and use it to cut glass, you would be appalled. Not because the diamond isn't doing something useful, helpful, and ultimately purposeful. No, you would be upset because the diamond was intended for so much more! In the same way, we would be appalled if someone took a precious and priceless painting and used it for a doormat. Over time, the painting would become defaced and ultimately destroyed, not because it wasn't performing a useful and good function, but because it was not performing its properly intended function. Obviously, these illustrations fall far short of the reality of things, but perhaps they will strike a chord with you.

In short, the full-orbed Christian teaching on humanity involves explaining both humankind's essential dignity as well as its tragic depravity. But the message does not stop here. The Christian message then goes on to teach that God has done something to reverse the effects of humanity's depravity by taking upon himself human flesh, thus exalting humankind to the highest possible position once again through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

[1] Blaise Pascal, Mind on Fire: A Faith for the Skeptical and Indifferent (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1997), 91.

[2] "To be in the presence of even the meanest, lowest, most repulsive specimen of humanity in the world is still to be closer to God than when looking up into a starry sky or at a beautiful sunset." (Mike Mason, The Mystery of Marriage, p.38)

[3] "He made us humans `in His image'... People, therefore, have supreme value. They are more important than systems, philosophies, wealth, or anything else in the universe, because the man and the woman were the crown of God's creation, made in his likeness. People are therefore more important in God's sight than all the rest of creation, and their relationship to him is most precious." Joyce Baldwin, The Message of Genesis 12-50 (Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 10.

© Richard J. Vincent, July 21, 2001