Anthropology – What We Believe about Man
- Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but, in Adam’s sin, the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Therefore, man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26- 27; Romans 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
- Because God created man in His own image, every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. (Psalm 8:4-9; Colossians 3:9-11).
- Marriage is not a human construct but one that is God-ordained. It is the joining of one man and one woman only. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)
- Gender is not a societal construct but one that is God-given. The only two genders are male and female (Matthew 19:4). Gender is not assigned at birth; gender is recognized at birth (Genesis 1:27). God forbids any attempt to alter one’s God-given gender identity by any means, including surgery, medication, clothing, or behavior. (Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 11:14).
- Any sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman is sinful. Any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are perversions of God’s intended purposes and therefore, sin (Genesis 2:24; Genesis 19:5, 13; Genesis 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)
