Anthropology 101: A Theology of Humanity

Anthropology 101, or as Owen Strachan defines it – Theocentric Anthropology – is a series that would observe the “disenchantment” of humanity as a threat to human worth and dignity. The dethroned role of God as the creative origin of humanity has displaced the “First Mover” (Aquinas) of the created order, subjecting humanity to the demoted status of luckiest animal. With the removal of the Divine origin comes the degradation of human value, worth, and moral objectivity. Strachan calls this process the “disenchantment” (pulling language from Charles Taylor) of humanity. The role of the theologian is that we would reverse this process, reenchanting humanity so to speak. This series would serve this purpose, covering the whole of theological anthropology as a means to enthrone God as the definitive author of our identities.

All of the lessons and the corresponding notes can be found below.

Anthropology 101, Part 1 - Introduction: WHat is Anthropology?

In this first lesson, we will define anthropology while identifying why it is important we study it. In essence, how we understand humanity is going to act as a foundation for how we understand everything else. Today, Christianity has one, multi-faced opponent that seeks to redefine our anthropology – it wants to dismantle all significance, all meaning, and all purpose, removing it from the foundation of our humanity and in its place, it desires that we would believe ours is an existence owed to chance, chaos and survival of the fittest. That enemy is Neopaganism. With our definition and our survey of the problem we are setting out to solve, we will then introduce each topic area we will cover throughout the series.

Antrhopology 101, Part 2 - The IMago Dei (Image of God)

In our second lesson, we will begin where Scripture does, which just so happens to be one of the most profoundly anthropological chapters of the Word. Specifically, this lesson we survey what it means to be made in the image of God – or, the imago dei. It is essential we begin our anthropological survey in the creation event, which is where we understand the depth, value, and uniqueness of the human as well as humanities perceivably distinct function here on earth. This lesson will serve to understand both the ontology and teleology of humanity, as well as alluding to the origin of humanity’s “disenchantment” – the Fall – which will set the stage for the subsequent week.

Anthropology 101, Part 3 - Depravity

“Here we arrive at an irony of biblical doctrine. The same Scripture that tells us we have infinite worth also tells us we have lost God.” (Owen Strachan, Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind). Our third lesson will center on a discussion of depravity with two goals in mind. First, we need to get honest about our condition as a humanity no longer truly free and removed from the presence of our creator. Without a fully realized depravity, we cannot fully realize our need for a savior. Second, we need to identify how depravity has been the orthodoxy of modern neopagan anthropology, which renders the tragedy of depravity – something Strachan calls “symphonic in its terribleness” – as that which should be normalized and accepted.

Anthropology 101, Part 4 - Work

Work was not created with the original intention of “have to do.” It operated not as a burden or with the philosophy of quid pro quo. It operated within the simple sense of “get to.” In this lesson, we will further trace the disenchantment of humanity through our work – that which easily consumes the most of our time on earth. Work is not a secondary or tertiary issue when it comes to theological consideration. This is a work of the enemy – to make menial that which takes up most of our time. Rather, we must reclaim and reenchant the true nature of work – which is to say, work coram deo (in the presence of God).

Anthropology 101, Part 5 - Technology

Technological innovation is an anthropological reality. From clothes and food to tools and weapons, technology progresses the state of humanity such that through efficiency, ease and automation, humanity might strive for growth. Here, however, is where we see a stark diverting of technology’s created intent. Today, technology is often placed as the antagonist of religious speculation. This is because technology itself has become a counter-gospel – that which is looked to for the sake of humanity’s salvation. This is where we further identify humanity’s “disenchantment” – the technology meant to serve God has stepped into the place of God. In reality, the whole of the Christian endeavor includes the redemptive arch of technology – from the bread making and grape pressing of the covenant meal, to the act of inscripturation that mediated God’s Word across time and space, to even the technological innovation of torture represented in the Roman cross.

Anthropology 101, Part 6 - Race and Ethnicity

Racial reconciliation was never owed to worldly thought. Its origin is not located in the feeble attempts of humanity to render its own quality of justice and morality. It is owed to Christ. It has always been the intent of God in the redemption of the world to create a “many colored kingdom.” In this lesson we will observe how “reenchanting” humanity by means of Christ’s work is, by necessity, a reconciliatory work – a work that unifies and undoes the curse of Babel.

Anthropology 101, Part 7 - Sexuality

It is endemic of the image that humanity necessarily embodies a duality within our sexuality. This duality cannot be blended, confused or mismatched. This lesson will serve to survey the Biblical concepts of both man and woman while confronting the neopagan anthropological devotion toward undoing difference. This lesson will observe biblical manhood, womanhood, created differences, sexuality, and marriage.

Anthropology 101, Part 8 - Justice

“Justice is a crucial part of the biblical mind, and it occupies a key place in the God-fired heart…the very notion of justice fits far better in a Christian worldview than in a secular one” (Strachan, 286). The neopagan anthropologies in competition with a theocentric anthropology often die on the hill of justice. The supreme irony of this is that justice lacks power in a relativistic worldview. In our attempt to reclaim and “reenchant” humanity by means of the gospel, we must understand that Christianity possesses the most robust conception of justice in existence. It is the foundation of our hope – that justice has been meted out and in Christ, we are no longer unjust. This lesson will frame justice as central in our understanding of anthropology

Anthropology, Part 9 - Finitude

Contrary to modern thought, humanity is limited. Contemporary aspirations strive toward a humanity that is unstoppable, immortal and perfect. As Christians, we know with confidence that such a utopian endeavor is foolish. Death will be our inevitable achievement this side of eternity. Limitedness is our birthright. But dependence is not a result of the fall. Our original created state was never one of libertarian freedom but of freedom within the context of dependence. We are designed to depend on something, and in our most free and perfected state, our dependence remains – it is simply directed towards the He who is the only perfect One. This lesson will observe ideas like dependence, limitedness and mortality.

Anthropology 101, Part 10 - Christ

Jesus came as both fully God and fully man. In his salvific role, he became not only the perfect lamb but the perfect human. As we culminate our series on anthropology, it is necessary to observe the one perfect human ever to walk the earth. He who perfectly obeyed the father, walked in constant communion with Him, and lived in this world without sin. In Christ we find the fulfillment of humanity, such that to live a Christo-centric life is to live a life within a theocentric anthropology.