A Christian Humanism

A Christian Humanism (Gen 1:26-27)
Intro: Christianity is humanism, a sacred humanism
"Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern" (Calvin, Institutes, 1.1.1).

Exposition

1. We are images of God
   Ex 20:4; Gen 2:7

2. We are images of God
   Secular humanism makes man the measure of all things. A Biblical humanism affirms that God is the measure of all things, and therefore we enjoy nobility as bearers of the image of God.

God is re-humanizing us in Christ. God is restoring us in Christ to the image of God which we were created to be. See Col 3:10ff; cf Eph 4:24ff.

Application: Some practical differences

1. Christianity is the only practical humanism
   Not only does secular humanism lack the spiritual resources necessary to change men and society, God himself has resolved that men shall not succeed without him. See 2Cor 3:17-18.

• James Madison, "We have staked the whole future of American civilization ... upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
• John Adams, "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
• George Washington, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

2. Christianity balances Human Humility and Human Dignity
   Jam 3:9-10; 1 Jn 4:20-21.

Conclusion: Ps 8:4-9