Topical Bible: The Earth: Man by Nature is of

◄ The Earth: Man by Nature is of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of man being of the earth is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the physical origin and the spiritual condition of humanity. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the connection between mankind and the earth, as well as the implications of this relationship.

Creation and Origin

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where man is formed from the dust of the ground. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This verse highlights the earthly origin of man, crafted by God from the very elements of the earth, and animated by His divine breath. This dual nature—earthly and divine—sets the stage for understanding humanity's role and responsibility in creation.

Earthly Nature and Mortality

The earthly nature of man is further underscored by the consequences of sin. After the fall, God pronounces a curse upon the ground and reminds Adam of his earthly origin and destiny. Genesis 3:19 declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This passage not only reiterates man's creation from the earth but also introduces the concept of mortality, a return to the earth as a result of sin.

Spiritual Implications

The earthly nature of man is often contrasted with the spiritual nature that believers are called to pursue. In 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 , the Apostle Paul writes, "The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man." Here, Paul contrasts Adam, the man of dust, with Christ, the man from heaven, highlighting the transformation believers undergo through faith in Christ.

Dominion and Stewardship

Despite man's earthly origin, Scripture assigns humanity a unique role as stewards of creation. Genesis 1:28 records God's mandate to mankind: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This dominion is not a license for exploitation but a call to responsible stewardship, reflecting God's care and order in creation.

Earthly Life and Eternal Perspective

While man is of the earth, Scripture encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective. Colossians 3:2 exhorts, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This call to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal reflects the tension between man's earthly nature and the heavenly calling in Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of man as being of the earth serves as a reminder of humanity's humble beginnings, the reality of sin and mortality, and the hope of transformation through Christ. It underscores the responsibility to steward creation wisely while keeping an eternal perspective, living in anticipation of the ultimate redemption and restoration promised in Scripture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 15:47-48
The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4561. sarx -- flesh
... 1), bodily condition (1), body (2), earth (1), earthly (1 ... 129), fleshly (4), life
(3), man (1), mankind ... of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

Library

Man's Place in the World.
... and over every living thing that creeps upon the earth. How far has man already
subdued the animals and ... imply the immediate or the gradual conquest of nature? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study i mans place in.htm

God's Love for Man
... man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it ... It is written that God cursed
the ground for man's sake ... In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

Man and Machinery.
... To fulfil this destiny, he confronts nature with naked hands; and yet, there is
the earth to plough ... constitute the difference between the primitive man, and the ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse ii man and machinery.htm

The Sinner's Need of Christ
... His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible ... purpose
to thwart the divine plan in man's creation, and fill the earth with woe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 2 the sinners need.htm

Prayerless Christians
... This high partnership with God, as His vicegerents on earth, is to have its fullest,
richest, and most efficient ... Prayer has a higher origin than man's nature. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/v prayerless christians.htm

Gordon -- Man in the Image of God
... Is the ladder set up from the earth, or is it let down from above? ... And man, as he
sees the light of Christ upon the Spirit behind nature, beholds in the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gordon man in the.htm

The Doctrine of Man
... of God, and that there will be no higher order of beings here on the earth than
man. We must not forget that while man, from one side of his nature, is linked ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of man.htm

The Christian Man
... truth expressed in them has lived and will live under all theories of the appearance
of man upon this earth. ... Man's intelligence, moral nature and will ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study iii the christian man.htm

But as to those who Think that not Here...
... Rather is the nature preserved, though the life blushes; nor does Christ know other ...
for I knew no other men but the inhabitants of the earth, man himself even ...
/.../tertullian/scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter x but as to.htm

Sermon
... On the one hand is man selfish, greedy, earth-bound, false and ... There is nothing so
strong in human nature as this impulse to fling ourselves away at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/michelson/no 4 intersession/sermon.htm