Statement III describes both the wonder of humankind (God’s own creation) and the tragedy of human rebellion against God. We stress that both beliefs are revealed knowledge (revelation).
The Bible reveals that human beings are the wonderful creation of God (Psalm 8). Another psalmist sings of his own creation in the womb and of God’s constant presence (Psalm 139). We all can say: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14 NIV).
Image of God is from Genesis 1:26-27. Essentially the phrase distinguishes us from all the other created beings. We alone are in God’s image. Scholars debate finer points. The phrase could highlight how we are made (that we have a soul or mind) or what we can do (reason, create, be moral, or enter into relationships of love and faithfulness).
Our experiences in life confirm the revelation. While we can’t run as fast as a cheetah or fly like an eagle, our abilities are impressive. Through them we bring God glory and because of them we should give thanks. We are encouraged to maintain our health and develop our talents to honor the Creator.
The statement speaks, however, of a more fundamental way of bringing God glory. That way is obedience. Obedience demonstrates the recognition of our created-ness and dependence.
The Bible reveals that humankind’s situation is also gravely out of order. Our lives are confronted with experiences that are tragic, ugly, and destructive. Evidence to confirm this revelation is all around us.
The Bible reveals that the cause of these experiences was and is human rebellion (sin). Human philosophy and opinion usually does not paint the situation as hopeless. But the Bible reveals that it is. Human beings alone cannot recover their relationship to God. We are “unable to save ourselves.”
The problems presented by our brokenness with God multiply in acts of sin toward God and fellow human beings. Even toward ourselves we can become strange and self-destructive. Our fears and self-centeredness dominate our lives.
Jeremiah preached: “The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse–who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NRSV). The situation is universal. Paul wrote: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10 NRSV).
Our Statement IV will express the Bible’s revelation of God’s response to His creation’s great need.
Benoni Stinson was accused of denying that children went to heaven. This was never literally true, but since Stinson said that all who repent and believe will be saved, critics charged that infants could not do what Stinson said.
Twice Stinson and Liberty Association responded by adding phrases to his original article 11. First, in 1845 Stinson added the words “infants and idiots excepted.” (The word idiots was the accepted term at the time for those severely mentally disabled.)
Critics now objected because this wording suggested that these children and adults were sinless and didn’t need redemption.
In 1857 the words, “they being in the covenant of God’s grace,”were added. The two additions made it clear that these individuals needed grace and were provided grace.
Our present statement words all this differently. (The changes also avoid other issues.) But it makes the same point concerning human responsibility: When (and if) we become morally responsible (at whatever age) we then become accountable to the God who created us.
Dr. Douglas Low, Professor of New Testament, Chapman Seminary and OCU