Lesson 3 - Anthropology Questions

Good day everyone!

I have to tell you that I am having a blast going on this tour with everyone!  It is so encouraging to see people responding to the Word of God and forming closer relationships with each other.  Praise God for what He is doing through this!

As promised here are the complete set of questions for our third tour through the world of Anthropology.  I have included Dr. Tackett's suggested answers but again I encourage you to think and pray these through for yourselves and see what God would have you see.

Opening Question:

A. What were some of the things that stood out for you on the tour?  Here are some of the key items: Primary doctrine; cosmic battle within; states of man; Maslow and self actualization; problem of evil; depravity of man. [Add your own]
B. What was particularly interesting or striking to you and why?
C. Ask if there were other items that they saw that stood out to you?  

Let's discuss the truth claim that man is basically good. Do you see any evidence that our culture has bought this notion? What is that evidence? Do you think we live in a culture of "blame"? If so, how is that linked to the notion that man is basically good? (See next)What about "victim mentality"? Is that related? If so, how? (If I am basically good, then anything bad that happens to me must be caused by someone or something outside of me. I will always find someone or something to blame for my troubles or situation.)

Consider Maslow's position that man must self-actualize by getting in touch their inner desires and bring them out. What are the consequences of this? Why would it give rise to a hostility toward Christianity? (Biblical Christianity holds to a transcendent absolute moral truth that would stand against someone doing whatever they well please. This thwarts "self-actualization" and the highest need and achievement of man.)

Let's revisit the Carl Rogers' statement: "I do not find that evil is inherent in human nature." What are the implications of this view of man in relation to what man really needs? What does it do to the biblical concept that man needs a Savior? (It means that man has no need of a spiritual Savior. He may need a physical savior, such as the civil government, but not a spiritual One.)

Why do Christians so often feel "stumped" when non-believers point to the existence of evil in the world? According to this discussion, what is the ultimate source of evil? (Without oversimplifying the problem, it is important to state that Christians struggle with this issue largely because they do not know the Word of God. On the whole, the Bible makes it clear that responsibility for the problem of evil lies not at God's doorstep, but at our own. Evil flows directly from man's decision to reject the truth of God and embrace a lie.)

How does your worldview influence your definition of evil? (Carried to its logical conclusion, the cosmic cube or closed-box view of the world actually renders the concept of evil meaningless. If "the stuff in the box" is all there is, there can be no basis for value judgments such as "good" and "bad." Everything simply is what it is. This is why Dr. Tackett suggests that it can be telling to ask non-believers, "Why does evil bother you?")

What are the major differences between the Bible's view of man and autonomous man's view of himself? (Scripture represents man as having existed in several different "modes" or "states," all of which continue to play a role in his present nature and identity: created innocent; fallen through rebellion and disobedience; dead in trespasses and sins; redeemed by grace through faith; glorified by identification with Christ. Contemporary man, on the other hand, sees himself as "basically good," but capable of being "corrupted" by the pressure of "social institutions." In other words, following Jean-Jacques Rousseau, he views himself as just another aspect of "the stuff in the box," which is best off when left to follow its own "natural" inclinations.)

How might a person's understanding of human nature and the meaning of human life determine his or her behavior or lifestyle? Given the basic distinctions between biblical and man-centered anthropology, how would we expect a believer's behavior to differ from that of a non-believer? (This question brings us back to the connection between "faith" and "action." Our behavior is determined by our concept of truth. Those who believe that man is happiest when he seeks to "actualize" himself without regard to any external standard of right and wrong will behave accordingly. Christians, on the other hand, ought to act as if they consider themselves accountable to a higher authority.)

How do differing views of mankind play into the social struggles and conflicts we see in our culture today? (According to Dr. Tackett, a vast amount of the social unrest and activism we see around us today is attributable to the human impulse to throw off the "chains" of the higher authority of God. There is potential here for a lively discussion of the possible connections between man's quest for independence and issues such as feminism, gay rights, cohabitation, and relativistic morals.)