7. The Nature of Humanity

Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality,

the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings,

each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God

for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they

denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position. The

image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their

descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born

with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the

world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image

of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him

and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen 1:26-28; 2:7,

15; 3; Ps 8:4-8; 51:5, 10; 58:3; Jer 17:9; Acts 17:24-28; Rom 5:12-17;

2 Cor 5:19, 20; Eph 2:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 John 3:4; 4:7, 8, 11, 20.)