United Church of God

Letter From Dan Dowd - June 24, 2022

Letter From Dan Dowd

June 24, 2022

Sabbath Thought - What is Man?

"It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being." - George Washington

The typical person in this country will spend 23 years of their total life sleeping.  They will spend 16 years working, 8 years watching TV, and 6 years eating.  Is life just a series of activities we repeat until we die?  Why do we exist?  Is there meaning to life?  Does mankind have a purpose - or are we just a more advanced animal?  While these questions are not on the mind of the average individual on a daily basis, they still impact our course in life, the philosophies we embrace and what we value.

Mankind is unique - but why?  Are we the result of chance mutations cast adrift in a vast universe?  These, along with many other questions, have occupied the minds of philosophers and laymen alike for thousands of years.  Mankind in general seeks to have a purpose for life - a desire unique in the creation.  No other "creature" ponders their existence, or creates to the level of man, communicates like man, shapes their environment like man - and so on.  As King David asked, what is man (Psalm 8:4-8)?

The most accepted view of mankind in modern thinking is that we evolved like the rest of animals - evolution brought mankind to this point.  Increasingly this view is being questioned by even scientists - there are simply too many inconsistencies and contradictory evidence in the theory of evolution.  To be clear, the Bible account of the creation of mankind and the Theory of Evolution are incompatible.  In fact, they are in opposition - but both philosophies (if you will) are foundations for world views of how we should live our lives.

Contrast those few thoughts with the understanding God has given His people: we know God has a plan of salvation for all of mankind (1 Timothy 2:4); we know that God created mankind to oversee and keep the creation - and to ultimately be like Him (Genesis 1:26, 1 John 3:2); we know that there is Someone greater than all of the creation, who made and sustains life (Job 7:17-18); and we know that we can have a mind like Christ (Philippians 2:5).  Our responsibility then is to obey His law, living as examples like Christ, and choosing true life (John 15:10, 14).

An interesting question comes along at this point then: if we contrast the two philosophies of evolution versus belief in a Creator God, which has the more beneficial application?  What is the advantage of embracing a world-view without God?  Evolution teaches survival of the fittest, extinction, morals and values that we each decide upon.  Belief in God shows us that we are to value life, protect the more vulnerable, adherence to values and morals that restrict destructive behavior.  Which of those two philosophies produces more happiness, security and wellbeing - not just in the short-term, but more importantly in the long-term?

The biblical narrative is in sharp contrast to those who believe that evolution has shaped random matter into humanity.  In many ways it comes down to which god we will worship and follow.  Evolution becomes its own form of god to be worshipped as the purpose of life.  In the acceptance of evolution is the desire to replace the authority of God - but in doing so ironically casts mankind adrift with no purpose in life.  Evolution is a false god in every sense.  It provides no answers to life - but rather reduces the value of life.

With the Bible as the Word of God, we find a purpose for mankind - that God purposes (hopes) that all of mankind will accept His invitation to put off this mortal and take on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).  We are God's children (Galatians 4:4-6) with the potential to be part of His eternal family.  This is the purpose of man.

I wish you a profitable and value filled Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

25 June, 2022