God’s original intent and purpose for man is described in Psalm 8 – to rule over His creation having been crowned with glory and majesty. The incarnation of Jesus Christ fulfills the Father’s purpose and will for man, in spite of the fall of Adam and its outcome of death and sin. The Person and work of Christ redeems man and provides him through grace an eternal life of glory. Man is intended to live and share God’s life of dominion, glory, and love.
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The Dominion of Exalted Man
Psalm 8:3-6 declares that man, as opposed to any other creature, whether animal or angel, is the particular focus of God’s care, thought, love and concern. The immense expanses of the heavens are works accomplished by the fingers of God, yet His care and thought, are upon one as insignificant and weak as man. This loyal and self-sacrificial love of God pervades throughout Scripture from the Old Testament to the New.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet … Ps 8:3-6
Adam, similar to all other ensouled creatures upon the earth, was made from the dust (Gen 2:7). Adam means “earth” or “earthy.” Yet, Adam was also made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27). A succinct moral of this post is expressed by the following quote from Waterhouse:
Man’s value is rooted in his creation in God’s image. To the degree that society rebels against this doctrine, it will also lose respect for human life.[1]
God’s moral image indicates Adam was made in righteousness, holiness and truth (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10). God’s personal image includes dominion (Gen 1:28-29), an immaterial soul/spirit (Gen 2:7), a unity in diversity (material body + immaterial soul/spirit, Gen 1:26-27), and relationship.
God, according to Gen 1:28-29, delegated authority and dominion to Adam. Pentecost writes regarding this dominion:
“As Creator, God is sovereign over all creation. And God has chosen to assign the administrative authority over creation to man as man. It was man’s responsibility to exercise dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle over all the earth, over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. And in bringing all created things under his authority as God’s administrator, man would bring all creation into subjection to God’s authority.“[2]
Wuest explains Adam’s position in the garden:
“The position of Adam as the federal head of the human race, his control of the animal kingdom through love, all spoke of his exalted position. And he was given honor and glory in view of it. God put all things in subjection to Adam. He was the head of the human race, the lord of the earth. Even the animal kingdom was in subjection to him.” [3]
The Loss of Dominion Through Sin
Man lost God’s dominion and effaced the moral aspect of His image through sin. Hebrews 2:8b presents the contrast between Adam’s dominion over the earth before and after sin.
For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. Heb 2:8b
Through the sin of Adam, death (spiritual and physical) is now the destiny of man.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned …Rom 5:12
Wuest states the following regarding the effects of Adam’s fall and subsequent corruption of his nature:
“He was no longer master of himself. He had become a fallen creature, with a totally depraved nature. He was a slave to sin. The animal kingdom was subservient to him not now through affection but fear. The ground, instead of yielding only good things, now produced also thorns, weeds, and other harmful things.“[4]
Made in the Image of God
What does being made in God’s image entail? If the breath of life or the term living being does not fully explain the uniqueness of man, what does? Waterhouse in his excellent work of outlined theology, Not by Bread Alone, delineates the biblical presentation of the image of God:
“The definition of being made in God’s image is most clearly understood in the verses that deal with the loss and/or retention of that image by the Fall… (E)ven after the fall man (has) retained some elements of God’s image. Therefore, cursing (James 3:9) and murder (Gen 9:6) are unacceptable to God, for even an unsaved man retains part of God’s image. To the degree that society rebels against this doctrine, it will also lose respect for human life. Man’s value is rooted in his creation in God’s image.
(A) believer has positionally regained a part of God’s original image and, practically is constantly coming closer to God’s image. Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:10 link the parts of God’s image that men lost by sin to the areas of truth and holiness… When he sinned man became unlike God’s image in the area of spiritual knowledge, holiness and righteousness… (This) moral image of God was lost in the Fall. (Yet) we are taught that even fallen man retains some of God’s personal image.“[5]
(A)nd put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Eph 4:24
(A)nd have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— Col 3:10
God’s personal image that He stamps upon all men includes a living person with a heart consisting of mind, emotions and will. Man is fundamentally a spirit being whose soul possesses unending life.
The difference between man and all other creatures, including angels, is that man is made in the image of God. This image includes:
Moral image (Lost at the fall)
- Holiness,
- Righteousness
- Knowledge about and according to God
Personal Image (Retained by man)
- Soul and spirit
- Dominion/ Work
- Relationship
- Unity in diversity – Male/Female = Man
From Death to Glory Through Grace
God’s intent and purpose for man in Psalm 8 will be realized through the Person, work, and rule of Christ Jesus. Man, who failed through the disobedience of sin, is redeemed from the curse of death by Christ Jesus.
God became man. Through faith in His Person and work, man is redeemed from sin and saved to an eternal life.
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren … Heb 2:9-11
Dwight Pentecost, in his comments upon Hebrews 2:5-11, states three reasons for the incarnation of Jesus Christ. [6]
- To fulfill God’s purpose for man
- To taste death for all
- To bring many sons to glory
He explains how the incarnation of Jesus Christ fulfills the Father’s purpose and will for man, in spite of his fall and sin.
“Man is destined to rule over all of creation. And all created things eventually will be put in ‘subjection under his [man’s] feet.’ … God’s rule on the earth would be established by and administered through man. This original purpose is reaffirmed in Psalm 8. The psalmist shows that God’s original purpose continues even in spite of man’s rebellion against God and his failure to subjugate all things to the authority of God.” [7]
The below homiletic may be used to expand upon Pentecost’s observations of the outcome of His incarnation in obedience to the will of the Father.
- Subjugation – God’s rule over the earth and His creation would be established and administered by man. Jesus came and took on flesh so that God’s purpose for man would be fulfilled.
- Substitute – The Son of Man paid the penalty for sin on the behalf of all men. His incarnation identified Him with those for whom He died.
- Share His glory – By faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, man will share His life, light, love, and glory forever. Man will share His glory as sons.
Through the obedience of Jesus to the Father’s will, sin and death, instituted by Adam, is defeated by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9).
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:20-21
Today, there are two races of men: those “in Adam” and those “in Christ.” The destiny of fallen man in Adam is earthly, resulting in sin, death, and separation from the life of God for all eternity. The destiny of the child of God is a glorious and heavenly existence where all that God intended in man will be realized through Christ Jesus. Man, whose beginning is in the dust, has a glorious, godly and spiritual destiny.
God’s destiny for man includes the realization and enjoyment of His glory. Man is to share His life. Man can only become what he was designed to be through the life of God.
What is the chief end of man? The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that “man’s end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The Greek word doxa, translated as glory, comes from a root word dokeo which means “to think.” Glory, in simple terms, means to give a proper opinion or estimate of something.
The glory of God expresses all that He is in His Being and in His nature, character, power, and acts. He is glorified when He is seen as He really is. To be where God is will be glory. To be what God intended will be glory. To do what God purposed will be glory. [8]
The glory of God is what He is essentially; the glory of created things including man is what they are meant by God to be, though not yet perfectly attained (Heb. 2:10; Rom. 8:18- 21). [9]
The Value of Man – “From Dust to Glory”
Man, who began in the dust, is destined for glory (Heb 2:8). The value of the life of man is being made in God’s image. Man is not a little higher than the animals, but instead, a little lower than God and angels. Man-made philosophies and environmental activists declare man to be a virus upon the earth, who should never exercise dominion over nature. Men also devalue life by overstating how increasing population threatens the earth. Man was intended to propagate for the purpose of producing a people who would share in the glory and dominion of the Son of Man over all creation. The Father loves all men and desires His kingdom to be populated by as many as who will come to Him. The desire or plan to decrease the earth’s population is not godly. God values the life and soul of man. He sent His Son to die for them so that fallen man could have life.
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. Ps 8:1-2
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth! Ps 8:9
The glory of the Lord is manifest above the heavens and in all the earth. The creation clearly reveals His glory, power, and invisible attributes so that none have excuse (Rom 1:20). The strength and power of the grace of God is such that the enemies are silenced by the mouths of babes.[10]
The Bible Knowledge Commentary states regarding Psalms 8:1-2:
“David marveled that God uses strength from children to silence His enemies. The idea is that the Lord has ordained that the weakest shall confound the strong (cf. 1 Cor. 1:27). Mankind, even weak children and infants, represents the strength of God in the earth.“[11]
The Creator of all has revealed His will. Man is designed for dominion over the earth, to subdue the earth and bring it into subjection to God’s authority. God’s purpose in man is being fulfilled by Christ Jesus. By grace through faith, He will bring many sons to glory. Any understanding of man that moves away from this core truth of the fulfillment of man’s destiny through Christ Jesus results in an outcome of present disaster and, potentially, eternal destruction.
Worldly wisdom, a lie of deceitfulness, presents man as a progressively evolving god able to determine his own truth apart from God’s revealed will. This is the core truth and cultural deception of postmodernism[12] and cultural Marxism [13]. These satanic philosophies form the basis of modern thought which influence the media, morals, and courts. Their outcome is to attack the church internally through false doctrine and false teachers, and to externally remove the church from public life through worldly peer pressure and the passage of laws.
None of the above can alter in the least the plan and purposes of God for His creation and creatures. Christ Jesus has come to “make all things new.” Believers will eventually become glorified man and will live and serve through immortal bodies and in a creation that sin and death have never touched. Man will judge the angels and worship and serve the Lord forever in love, joy, and glory.
Man is the focus of the Father’s will and intent. The Son of Man is the focus of the Spirit and all creation, including man. All is done to the praise of His glory.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:36
[1] Waterhouse, Steven, “Not by Bread Alone,” Amarillo, TX: Westcliff Press, www.webtheology.com
[2] Pentecost, J. D., & Durham, K. (2000). Faith that Endures : A Practical Commentary on the Book of Hebrews (Rev. ed., p. 61). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
[3] Wuest, Kenneth, (1987), Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s Publishing, electronic edition.
[4] Wuest, Kenneth, (1987), Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s Publishing, electronic edition.
[5]Waterhouse, Steven, “Not by Bread Alone,” Amarillo, TX: Westcliff Press,page 62-63, www.webtheology.com
[6] Pentecost, J. D., & Durham, K. (2000). Faith that Endures : A Practical Commentary on the Book of Hebrews (Rev. ed., p. 60-64). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
[7] Pentecost, J. D., & Durham, K. (2000). Faith that endures : a practical commentary on the book of Hebrews (Rev. ed., pp. 61–62). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
[8] www.preceptaustin , Psalms 8:4-6; Heb 2:6-8.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Christ applied this verse to the complaints of the priests regarding the praises of the children for Him after clearing the temple (Matt 21:15-16). The children were identifying Jesus as the Messiah.
[11] Walvoord, John; Zuck, Roy, (1985), Bible Knowledge Commentary (Psalms 8), Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12] Postmodernism, the prevalent worldview today, declares that there is no objective or absolute truth. All truth is relative, subjective and culture-based. No one can judge another’s truth. Tolerance is the supreme virtue. Similar to Brave New World in the transformation of language and meaning, tolerance now means: 1) you must not object to my truth, and, 2) you must actively support my views and advance my cause.
[13] “Political correctness” and “critical theory” was developed in a Marxist think tank called the Frankfort School in Germany from 1924-1933. Enterprising socialists, fueled by the money of industrialists, combined the ideals of Marxist socialism with the theories of Freud and Hegel. Similar to the Fabians of England, they determined that the socialist international utopia could only be accomplished after the incremental destruction of Western European culture and Christianity. These are the goals of the cultural Marxists. They moved from Frankfort, Germany to Columbia University in New York when Hitler came into power in 1933. Henry Marcuse, who wrote Eros and Civilization, was a significant architect of the radical student anti-war movement and sex and drug revolution of the 1960’s. He coined the phrase, “make love not war.” He worked for the OSS, the forerunner of the CIA, during WWII. Marcuse provided the ideology of the 1960’s revolution. Kinsey, who published his first book in 1948, supplied the “junk science” as ammunition for the sexual revolution. See the following for more information upon the origin and current goals of cultural Marxism: Ellis, Clare, “The Socialist-Capitalist Alliance: The Fabian Society, the Frankfurt School, and Big Business,” www.eurocanadian.ca; Lind, Bill, “Origins of Political Correctness,” www.academia.org ; Roger, Chuck, “Cultural Marxism in Education: The Gathering Revolt,” www.americanthinker.com ; and Raehn, Raymond, “The Historical Roots of Political Correctness,” www.arcofcc.freeservers.com .
