What is Man?

Sons to Glory! · 11-03-2020, 12:33 PM

Over on the latest Hank Hanegraaff thread we were talking about the erroneous WL teaching of "man becomes God." Therefore I thought it might be interesting to start a thread regarding the question, "What is man?" (As is found in Psalms 8:4 which asks, "What is man that You are mindful of him?")

Before going any further, while our identify and future in Christ is surely a lofty one, that we only see so very dimly I think, to say Christians are becoming God is a bridge too far! While WL also adds that this is saying that man partakes in the Godhead, it is still language not used by the writers of the Bible. Therefore, we should not use this language either, and add something that's no there!

With that said, what does the Bible say about born-again believers who are in Christ? Jesus made quite the statement when He told the Father in John 17:22, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them." What is that!? I mean we're talking about the glory of God here!

Of course, the Bible says we are His children, having partaken of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). Collectively we believers are identified as Christ's body, His bride, and a habitation of God in Spirit! (Eph 2:22) Just try to get your mind wrapped around one of those three identities!!

So again, while saying we are becoming God is adding something that's not recorded in scripture, what is man that God loves us so much and is so focused on us?

Sons to Glory! · 11-04-2020, 09:59 AM

Let me also say that while WL went too far in teaching that "man becomes God," what I hear in most of Christendom does not go far enough. From my limited experience of various Christian groups, and a fair amount of Christian TV and radio exposure, the teaching of who we are in Christ is woefully shallow. (In my opinion, much of it is gussied-up old covenant teaching of outward law and performance with Christ's name loosely attached, and very little regarding His indwelling operation.)

So while I shy away from most all WL writings these days, I do credit the LC with lifting my eyes to now appreciate authors like Andrew Murray, T. Austin Sparks, et.al. - authors who have a better view of who and what He has made us and called us into.

11-03-2020, 12:33 PM	#1
Sons to Glory! Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,617	What is Man? Over on the latest Hank Hanegraaff thread we were talking about the erroneous WL teaching of "man becomes God." Therefore I thought it might be interesting to start a thread regarding the question, "What is man?" (As is found in Psalms 8:4 which asks, "What is man that You are mindful of him?") Before going any further, while our identify and future in Christ is surely a lofty one, that we only see so very dimly I think, to say Christians are becoming God is a bridge too far! While WL also adds that this is saying that man partakes in the Godhead, it is still language not used by the writers of the Bible. Therefore, we should not use this language either, and add something that's no there! With that said, what does the Bible say about born-again believers who are in Christ? Jesus made quite the statement when He told the Father in John 17:22, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them." What is that!? I mean we're talking about the glory of God here! Of course, the Bible says we are His children, having partaken of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). Collectively we believers are identified as Christ's body, His bride, and a habitation of God in Spirit! (Eph 2:22) Just try to get your mind wrapped around one of those three identities!! So again, while saying we are becoming God is adding something that's not recorded in scripture, what is man that God loves us so much and is so focused on us? __________________ LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now Praise the Lord - HE'S GOT THIS!

11-04-2020, 09:59 AM	#2
Sons to Glory! Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,617	Re: What is Man? Let me also say that while WL went too far in teaching that "man becomes God," what I hear in most of Christendom does not go far enough. From my limited experience of various Christian groups, and a fair amount of Christian TV and radio exposure, the teaching of who we are in Christ is woefully shallow. (In my opinion, much of it is gussied-up old covenant teaching of outward law and performance with Christ's name loosely attached, and very little regarding His indwelling operation.) So while I shy away from most all WL writings these days, I do credit the LC with lifting my eyes to now appreciate authors like Andrew Murray, T. Austin Sparks, et.al. - authors who have a better view of who and what He has made us and called us into. __________________ LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now Praise the Lord - HE'S GOT THIS!