Human Nature
Theses A and B below represent the complementary pair, Sovereignty
and Creation, as they apply to the Christian conception of human
nature. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be
affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -B and -A,
represent exaggerations of A and B respectively that are commonly
stated. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views.
This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right
arrows. Overview of this dilogic
diagram. Also see 3-D Overview.
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![[L arrow]](L_ARROW.GIF)
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Sovereignty and Creation
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![[R arrow]](R_ARROW.GIF)
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A: God's sovereignty means God's rule over all
creation, including humanity. The Creator and creatures are
absolutely distinct. God is self-sufficient and
free.
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B: Humans were created in the image of God,
as persons originally with freedom and power to will
and do what is good.
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-B: Human life is merely as a puppet of God.
Humans have no special significance. Determinism. Fatalism.
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-A: God's will can be overruled by humans, so God
is not completely sovereign. Someone else is therefore God,
OR there is chance back of God.
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Human Nature
Theses B and C below represent the complementary pair, Creation
and Providence, as they apply to the Christian conception of human
nature. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be
affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -C and -B,
represent exaggerations of B and C respectively that are commonly
heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views.
This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right
arrows. Overview of this dilogic
diagram. Also see See 3-D Overview.
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Creation and Providence
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B: God created real people. We are significant to
God. Our choices are a real outgrowth of our own character.
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C: God provides the gift of life, and sustains us
by grace day by day. We are not self-sufficient.
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-C:People are autonomous, free agents,
independent of God. God does not exist, or doesn't matter.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
Secular existentialism.
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-B: We are not significant; we are zeros in a
world that is totally predetermined by law. Free will is an
illusion. Naturalism. Behaviorism.
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Human Nature
Theses C and A below represent the complementary pair, Providence
and Sovereignty, as they apply to the Christian conception of human
nature. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be
affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -A and -C,
represent exaggerations of C and A respectively that are commonly
heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views.
This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right
arrows. Overview of this dilogic
diagram. Also see 3-D Overview.
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Providence and Sovereignty
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C: Humans are distinct from other creatures. We
are the vice-regents or stewards of God on earth, with a
mandate to manage and care for God's earth.
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A: God's sovereignty implies God's immanence in
all creation. The earth is the Lord's, not ours. God is
present everywhere in it.
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-A: We are "cosmic orphans", left alone in a
desolate nature, and we alone are responsible for it. God is
impersonal or does not intervene.
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-C: We humans are, along with all nature, an
extension of the essence of God. All nature is sacred and
divine. Dionysian Man.
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