MAN “made in the image of God” and a “fallen sinner”
What a chimera then is man! What a novelty! What a monster, what a chaos, what a contradiction, what a prodigy! Judge of all things, imbecile worm of the earth; depository of truth, a sink of uncertainty and error; the pride and the refuse of the universe. Pascal Pensees No.434
Man was born free and everywhere he is in chains. Rousseau Du Contrat Social ch.1
The natural man’s affections are wretchedly misplaced; he is a spiritual monster. His heart is, where his feet should be, fixed on the earth; his heels are lifted up against heaven, which his heart should be set on (Acts 9:5). His face is towards hell, his back towards heaven, and therefore God calls him to turn. He loves what he should hate and hates what he should love; joys in what he ought to mourn for, and mourns for what he should rejoice I; glories in his shame and is ashamed of his glory, abhors what he should desire, and desires what he should abhor. Thomas Boston (Puritan Divine)
Man wants to be on the level with God, and in so doing become independent of Him… sin is the desire for the autonomy of man; therefore sin in the last resort is the denial of God and self-deification; it is getting rid of the Lord God, and the proclamation of self-sovereignty. Emil Brunner Dogmatics II pp.92,93
When you ungod God, you are unmanning man. Thomas Manton (Puritan Divine)
MACHO MAN
According to research, the five most difficult statements for modern man to make:
- I don’t know
- I was wrong
- I need help
- I’m afraid
- I’m sorry
A woman was in the car with her husband and he the driver took a wrong turn. She tried to be tactful. “Dear, I think perhaps you know a better way, a route they haven’t put on the maps as yet.”
He replied gruffly, “I know where I’m going.” 10 or 12 miles later he was not nearer the intended destination. He yelled in disgust, “These dumb maps. The men must have changed the road signs.” His wife suggested he stop at the gas station to seek assistance. “Why should I? I can figure this out.”
Sadly, man is programmed not to be vulnerable.
