I’ve long argued that theological anthropology is the # 1 issue that Christians must wrestle with today. Whether we are talking about sexuality, gender identity, transgenderism, transhumanism, artificial intelligence, disability, or even the soul, it is all comes down to “what is a human being?” What follows below is my Beta-Test of some ideas on theological anthropology.

Now, this is spectacularly hard and I might be spectacularly wrong, because some of these issues are very complex, they defy simplistic analyses or resolution, and they involve a combination of biology, psychology, and sociology. Or else, many theologians within the Christian tradition might legitimately dispute the validity or cogency of the various assertions I make below. But these are the issues that we simply must address today in the second quarter of the twenty-first century.

I’m using a format of we confess, we affirm, we deny, and we commit. I hope it reads well - but remember, it is only a first draft!

THE IMAGE OF GOD

We confess that all human beings are created in the image of God, bearing inherent dignity, worth, and value that cannot be diminished or destroyed (Genesis 1:27-28).

We affirm that by God's grace, this image is present in every person from conception to death.

We deny that this image is based on human ability, is reducible to a capacity for either rationality or relationships, or is a cultural mandate. Instead, we affirm that the image comprises the glorious status of all persons as God’s royal representatives in the world who are called to be custodians of creation.

We commit to affirming the image of God as the basis for our missions, acts of mercy, and the pursuit of justice in the world.

DISABILITY

We confess that the church is called to be a community of inclusion, belonging, accessibility, welcoming and empowering all people to participate fully in worship, fellowship, and service according to their gifts and calling.

We affirm that all persons with disabilities fully bear the image of God and possess equal dignity, worth, and value. We affirm that disability is part of the diverse expression of human experience in a fallen world, and we recognise that persons with disabilities often demonstrate profound faith, wisdom, and gifts that enrich the body of Christ. We affirm that some disabilities involve significant suffering and challenges, while recognising that living with disability itself does not automatically equate to suffering or diminished quality of life. We affirm the value of medical intervention and assistive technologies that can enhance independence and participation, while also celebrating the inherent worth of every person regardless of their abilities or limitations.

We deny any notion that disability diminishes one's humanity or reflects divine punishment or a lack of faith. We commit to removing barriers—physical, social, and attitudinal—that prevent full participation and to learning from the unique perspectives and contributions of our brothers and sisters with disabilities.

THE HUMAN SOUL

We confess that humans are embodied souls, created as unified selves who are comprised of both material and immaterial aspects.

We affirm that God created human beings as integrated persons whose bodies and souls together constitute our full humanity. We affirm the goodness of embodied existence while recognising that both our physical and spiritual dimensions have been affected by the fall and are in need of redemption through Jesus Christ. After the separation between the soul and body and death, the two are wonderfully reunited in our future glorified bodies at the resurrection of the dead.

We deny that humans are merely physical beings, or are merely souls temporarily trapped in the prison of their bodies. We deny that the Christian hope is akin to the immortality of the soul, reincarnation, or nothingness.

We commit to loving God with our bodies, souls, and the whole fibre of our being.

HUMAN SEXUALITY We confess that God created humans as sexual beings and sexuality is an important facet of human existence, inherently good, while open to corruption and debasement.

We affirm that sexual intimacy is a gift from God, designed for the context of marriage between one man and one woman, where it serves the purposes of personal union, procreation, and mutual flourishing. We affirm that sexuality encompasses physical intimacy as well as our capacity for deep relationships. We affirm the damage and dangers wrought by sexual abuse, sexual violence, sexual addiction, and pornography.

We deny that sexual congress is inherently sinful, that all sexual desires should be met, or that singleness and celibacy (though trying for many) are lesser states of human existence.

We commit ourselves to enjoying and disciplining our sexual desires to the glory of God.

SAME-SEX ATTRACTION

We confess that some believers experience same-sex attraction even as they live in holiness, love, and obey the commandments of Jesus.

We affirm that there are biblical prohibitions about homoerotic intercourse, even as all Christians struggle with various sexual temptations and are called to faithful discipleship in their sexuality.

We deny that same-sex sin is more sinful than heterosexual sin. We deny that one's sexual orientation is inherently sinful, it diminishes someone’s worth, deprives them of their ability to live faithfully as followers of Jesus, or disqualifies them from service and ministry.

We commit to providing a loving community, pastoral care, and opportunities for meaningful service and relationships for all members of our congregations irrespective of their sexual orientation.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND GENDER IDENTITY

We confess that biological sex is determined at conception and not assigned after birth. We affirm that biological sex refers to our procreative function in producing either large (egg for women) or small (sperm for men) gametes. We also affirm that gender refers to the various ways that societies and cultures create social mores to regulate expectations about men and women and the relationship between them. We affirm that while sex is binary and gender is a social construct, both  can be complicated by genetic, psychological, and social flaws in persons and confusion in cultural discourse.

We deny that an ephemeral gender identity supercedes a person’s empirical biological identity as male and female when it comes to law and human rights.

We commit ourselves to championing sex-based rights even as we seek to discern the negative implications of the artificial overlay of gender in legal and cultural discourses in our societies.

INTERSEX PERSONS

We recognise that some individuals are born with intersex conditions that affect their sexual development. We affirm that these persons fully bear God's image and deserve compassion, need medical care, and should receive inclusion in a Christian community. We affirm the complexity of these sex developmental disorders as well as the challenges it represents for persons experiencing their conditions.

We deny that intersex persons are proof that human beings are not sexually dimorphic beings as we also deny any diminishment of their humanity and value within the church body.

We commit to including and loving intersex persons as they navigate difficult decisions about their condition with wisdom, prayer, and medical guidance.

GENDER DYSPHORIA

We confess that some individuals experience distress regarding their biological sex and commit to providing pastoral care marked by patience, compassion, and careful listening.

We affirm that gender dysphoria can cause significant mental anguish and requires sensitive, individualised ministry. We affirm that God's design for sexual dimorphism is good even as we recognise that the complexities of psychology and biology mean that some persons will struggle with how to align their sex, sexuality, and understanding of their gender.

We commit to listening and understanding the stories and situations of people with gender dysphoria and discerning how best to meet their spiritual needs and welcome them within the church.

NON-BINARY PERSONS

We confess that God's creation of male and female reflects his design for human flourishing, even while we recognise the complexity of individual experience means some individuals may not be aligned with gender-norms in their culture.

We affirm that while biology can give humans a predisposition to behave and respond in certain ways,  even so, their biology determines nothing essential about their character, interests, or vocation.

We deny the value of treating cultural gender norms, whether biblical or cultural, as absolute demands for how men and women of faith must live.

We commit to treating persons as individuals and not measuring them according to cultural standards of masculinity or femininity, but instead loving them as baptised persons who are co-heirs with Christ.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

We confess that artificial intelligence is a remarkable achievement of human industry and ingenuity which can enhance the human condition and further human flourishing, even as it constitutes challenges to human labour, and is open to abuse by malevolent actors.

We affirm that artificial intelligence has the potential to be a powerful tool for improving human productivity and alleviating suffering if artificial intelligence is wisely and justly stewarded.

We deny that artificial intelligence can fully replace human consciousness or eliminate the inherent good of human labour.

We commit to exploring the opportunities that artificial intelligence offers as we carefully engage with such technologies with care, concern, and conscience, to ensure that artificial intelligence serves a greater good and reinforces, rather than obscures, the moral and spiritual dimensions of human life.

TRANSHUMANISM

We confess that technologies designed to enhance human living, whether bodily or cognitively, simultaneously present great opportunities and substantial ethical challenges.

We affirm that advancements in this field hold promise for improving lives and exceeding human limitations. We affirm that the attempt to transcend physical and cognitive limitations should be constrained by consideration of its moral implications, preventing any technology from undermining the dignity and sanctity bestowed upon humans by their Creator.

We deny that humans should seek to convert their biological bodies into hubs for advanced technological functions or attain a post-human or even god-like state. We commit to navigating the technological advancements associated with enhancing the human person through wisdom, ethical consideration, and the guidance of the Spirit to ensure such endeavours serve humanity rather than make humans servants of technology.

HUMAN RIGHTS

We confess that all humans deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, and justice.

We reject all forms of discrimination, violence, and dehumanisation based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, age, or any other immutable characteristic. We affirm that human value is not dependent on ethnicity, gender, age, ability, or economic utility. We affirm that protecting the vulnerable, caring for the marginalised, and upholding human worth are essential expressions of Christian faith and obedience to God's command to love our neighbours as ourselves.

We deny that human rights are based on anything natural, legislative, or judicial, as they are rooted in and derive from the God of righteousness, justice, and love, making these rights immutable and inviolable.

We commit the church to uphold human rights for all persons and to remind society of the Christian roots of its discourse on human rights.

OUR COMMITMENT

We confess that we have often failed to embody the love, compassion, and wisdom that should characterise Christian anthropology. We repent of times when we have dehumanised others, failed to provide adequate pastoral care, or allowed fear to replace love in our interactions with those whose experiences differs from our own.

We commit ourselves to:

• Upholding the dignity and worth of every human being
• Providing safe, supportive communities for all believers
• Engaging in respectful dialogue about complex issues related to sex and sexuality
• Seeking wisdom through Scripture, prayer, and the wisdom of our traditions
• Offering hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Walking alongside all who struggle with questions of identity and belonging

We believe that God in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit offers redemption, healing, renewal, and hope to all humanity, and that in him we find our truest identity as beloved children of God. We look forward to the day when all creation will be restored and our full humanity will be perfected in a relationship with God and one another at the resurrection of the dead and the consummation of all things.

Amen

Michel F. Bird is Deputy Principal (Academic) and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne