What is a human being? Take 2.

So here is my second attempt at defining what it is to be a human being; should be simple enough..!

Humans are relational beings and have the ability to have relationships with one another as well as with God. In Genesis 1:26-27 we read that humans were created by God in his image, ‘imago dei’. We must therefore explore God’s nature in order to infer how this reflection is relevant to human nature. In the ‘Nicene Creed’ - a statement of belief written for believers to outline their faith – the concept of the Trinity is highlighted. God is referred to in three forms: Father, Son and Holy Spirit whereby each of these has a ‘role’ to play in fulfilling God’s will. They are all God whilst still being able to work together in a communicative, relational manner; the three aspects to God are connected and associate with the others. This notion of relation must in turn be a quality of humankind and must apply to human beings seeing as they are made in the very image of God himself. The Bible states, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” in Mark 12:31 which enforces and further suggests human capability for relation. The link between “neighbour” and “self” proposes that humans cannot only interact but have the ability to feel emotion for others through their relationships.

The creation of the world is accounted in Genesis 1 in which we also read of the creation of mankind. Psalm 139 provides an intimate insight into God’s individual, unique design of every single human: “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (139:13) – this vivid image shows how from the moment that we are created, we rely on God purely for our existence. The Psalm also speaks of God’s omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence and how He has “written all the days that were formed when none of them yet existed” (139:16). This shows our human dependence on God throughout our life and the way that we supposedly rely on his provision as we follow the ‘path’ that he has laid out for us.

Finally, it is the ability to be rational that clearly sets humans apart from other species. Christian Theologian St Thomas Aquinas developed several arguments for the existence of God (namely the ‘Cosmological Argument’ and the ‘Design Argument’) both of which essentially conclude by claiming that God exists because he was the ‘first cause’ and ‘intelligent designer’ of the universe. The intelligence that Aquinas uses (through reasoning) to try to understand God’s relationship with the world around us acts as evidence of a rational, human brain. The idea of reason is another aspect of human nature that is enabled by human experience. CS Lewis, in the poem ‘Being Human’ compares angels and humans and outlines the fundamental difference between the two being a human’s capacity (being on earth) to have a sensory experience of the world whilst angels lack sensitivity to these tactile details. Our ability to reflect on experiences, whether painful or joyous, thus influences our future decisions through anticipation and imagination, once again connoting rationality.

To conclude, the human being is relational, created by, dependent and reliant on God with the ability to reason and be rational.

Reflection: "Where the godless don't go"

Whilst browsing the internet for something interesting, current and relevant to read I came across this article which really grabbed my attention. *Do give it a read if you fancy (it might give this post a bit more context and perhaps significance..)

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/08/why-i-believe-in-god

I was immediately drawn in by the honest, real and relatable tone of the writer and found her arguments and claims refreshing as well as authentic and (in my opinion), valid.

I felt much relief when she addressed and renounced the common (and frustraing) misconceptions about those who have spiritual beliefs, more specifically Christians. She writes, "We come to church with our own set of baggage: greed, envy, anger, depression and laziness. We can be close-minded and belligerent. Sometimes we drive one another crazy." Whilst some may consider this admission irrelevant, I think that one of the biggest things that separates believers from non-believers (and vice versa) is the regrettable tendency of each to depreciate each others ideas and obtain a superiority over one another. Therefore, Gee Lewis' attempt to expose the common struggles of her religous peers and highlight their ordinariness acts as an effort to dismantle this barrier and unite humans instead.

The difference (which is arguable fundamental) for her as a Christian lies in what she places her hope, trust and reliance in. "But we keep coming back because we believe, and that belief translates into action."

I LOVE the clear distinction that she makes between 'religion' and 'spirituality'.  I personally cannot stand the term 'religious' - I find that when mentioned, an 'inevitable' opportunity for criticism arises and if I'm brutally honest, it even leaves the poor 'religious' one open to immediate judgement because the connotations appear, for the most part, negative. Hence, I find this quote brilliantly engaging: "I'm not religious, but I am a spiritual person."  Interestingly, when the author that she refers to announced this, "everyone cheered".. To me this shows that people clearly desire 'something' greater than what that life on earth offers us and that we arguably find the concept of spirituality enticing, fascinating and perhaps even admirable. But when it comes to religion, the notion is  unsatisfactory, meaningless and for some absurdly pointless!

The climax (and my highlight) of the article comes towards the end when Tiffany Gee Lewis explains thoughtfully the impact that religion has had on her life and human existence. I largely identify with her declaration that religion changes the way that we view the everyday, it can cause us to consider our own 'self' as part of a bigger picture, it motivates us to serve and be expectant beyond earthly reality. 


"Religion has made me, a wholly selfish person, into someone who cares about something bigger than myself. I don't drop to my knees every morning in some blind fanaticism, but to say, "God, I am at your service." For the faithful, we choose to see God in everything – the first crocus of spring, the curve of a young child's face. We hear his voice, not in a burning bush, but telling us how to parent a challenging child or help a friend." 


I find her ability to recognise, address and challenge the criticism that religion faces with a brutal honesty that presents strong and relevant arguments admirable. I'd like to think that I share her confident assurance of how faith is a choice which brings (at it's simplest) pure joy and appreciation.

Is it ever right for one to denounce this..?