What do YOU believe about Man?
Introduction
In our series of “Early Quaker Beliefs'' we have discussed God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Holy Scripture. If you haven’t caught these topics, you can see the articles in previous newsletters or on our website at spicelandfriends.org. The topic this month is what we believe about Man. Below is the statement from “Faith and Practice” as well as a simple explanation.
Belief Statement from Faith and Practice about Man’s Creation and Fall
It pleased God, in His wisdom and goodness, to create man out of dust of the earth, and to breathe into his nostrils the breath of life, so that man became a living soul; formed after the image and likeness of God, capable of fulfilling the divine law, and of holding communion with his Maker.1 Being free to obey, or to disobey, he fell into transgression, through unbelief, under the temptation of Satan,2 and, thereby, lost that spiritual life of righteousness, in which he was created; and, so, death passed upon him, as the inevitable consequence of his sin.3 As the children of fallen Adam, all mankind bear his image. They partake of his nature and are involved in the consequences of his fall. To every member of every successive generation, the words of the Redeemer are alike applicable, “Ye must be born again.”4 But while we hold these views of the lost condition of man in the fall, we rejoice to believe that sin is not imputed to any, until they transgress the divine law, after sufficient capacity has been given to understand it; and that infants, though inheriting this fallen nature, are saved in the infinite mercy of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
1Gen. 2:7,1:26; 27; 2Gen. 3:1-7; 3Rom. 5:12; 4John 3:7.
Summary of Belief Statement
Quakers believe that scripture teaches that Man was created by God and in the image of God for the purpose of glorifying God and relating to him and other humans. Upon our creation man was created in a perfect relationship with God but also given “free choice”. We believe man through the temptation of Satan chose wrong thus ending this perfect relationship for all. With the ending of this perfect relationship, destruction and death also entered the world. It is this destruction and death that we struggle with yet today. Where there is life there is impending death due to our separation from God. God’s provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only way we have of renewing this separated relationship. We must be born again spiritually through Jesus. If we are not born again, we remain separated from a perfect God. It is also important to note that Quakers believe the Bible teaches that the choice to to be born of Christ is at an age or mental ability that allows humans to have the capacity to make this spiritual choice. Until humans are at an age and capacity to make this choice God, in his mercy sees to it that they are saved through the redemption of Christ.
This information is taken from the 2018 Faith In Practice Document.
Eric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.