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A Fascinating History of the Failure of Prisons
Being a Christian, I’m always interested in cultural issues. One of the most controversial cultural conversations centers on prisons and whether the United States’ system of incarceration is a good system. I first started thinking about this issue in earnest when, a few years ago, I was listening to Al Mohler, and he noted New York’s 2019 plan to spend $9 billion on building new prisons. Mohler included a brief discussion of the history of prisons, which inspired me to do a little more research on the issue. This brief article is a summation of the history of prisons and how we ought to think about them as Christians. Throughout most of human history,prisons were meant to be a temporary arrangement. Prisons in the ancient world were places where suspects were held while waiting for their cases to be heard. For example, Leviticus 24:10-12 mentions the imprisonment of an individual…
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What Does the Image of God Mean?
Both men and women are made in the image of God (Gen 1:27) and are created with physical and spiritual components of their humanity. This is why human life is sacred and protected (Gen 9:5-6). Being created in the image of God is in contrast to the rest of creation. Only humanity has the privilege and honor of being created in God’s image. Hence, humanity’s value is infinitely more than animals or plants. But what does it mean to be made in the image of God? Various Views on the Image of God We can list at least five different views on what it might mean to be made in God’s image. I think it’s helpful to divide these views into two overall categories: (1) the ontological view and (2) the functional view. The ontological view teaches that being made in the image of God means we are like God…
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Soul and Spirit: Is There a Difference?
Human beings are made in the image of God and are often referred to in terms of the physical (body) and the spiritual (soul and/or spirit). With regard to the spiritual realm, a pertinent question is whether soul and spirit refer to the same thing. Are humans made up of three parts: body, soul, and spirit? Or are human beings made up of two parts: body and soul and/or spirit? This is a difficult question, and I know people who hold different views. To discuss this issue, we must begin by surveying the biblical usage of these terms. Looking at Spirit in the Bible In the OT, the word for spirit (רוּחַ) can mean the following: In the NT, the Greek word for spirit (πνεῦμα) has virtually the same meanings: In comparing the OT and NT usage, the word for spirit is used similarly. It appears that when spirit denotes…
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Exploring the Depths of Humanity: What Does It Mean to be Human?
The question of what it truly means to be human has captivated minds and stirred philosophical debates throughout the ages. Recently, I was asked to articulate my thoughts on this profound inquiry, and in doing so, I turn to the Bible—the ultimate source for unraveling the intricate facets of human existence. In this article, we will explore the depths of humanity through the lens of scripture, shedding light on our creation, our flawed nature, God’s boundless love, and our eternal destiny. Being human means being a creature made in the image of God. According to Genesis 1:26-28, we discover that being human signifies being a creation fashioned in the likeness of our Creator. As creatures, we are obligated to follow and obey the One who brought us into existence. Morality and ethics find their foundation in the Creator Himself, God designing the world to operate according to His plan and…