Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
In Part 3 of this mini-series of posts, we analyzed what theologian D.A. Carson described as the "degodding of god".
Carson defines human sin "as an insult to God, as the de-godding of God, as the erection of other gods as a form of selfishness."
The ultimate irony, of course, that although granted the supreme privilege of being image bearers of the Creator - what theologians refer to as imago dei - mankind for the most part has chosen to replace God with idols, haughtily ignoring His authority, and dismissively banishing Him from the important conversations in the arts, politics, justice, and the market.
However, a contemplative moment of pause is advantageous to our consideration of the topic.
Author Christopher Watkins explains both sides of the equation: …"the doctrine of the image of God both exalts humanity (because human beings alone are in the image of God) and humbles humanity (because we are not gods, but rather the image of God)"…
The Creator has bestowed great honour on mankind - unique among all created beings. However, mankind remains subordinate and dependent.
Our authority to fill the earth and subdue it. [To] rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Genesis 1:28) is derived from our Maker. We are therefore contingent.
And of all the earthly created order, of mankind is the label most suitable - homo rationalis: humans as thinkers.
Modern science has engaged in studies to understand the cognition of various species of animals, birds, fish in terms of how they understand their own existence.
Although the process is hampered by the obvious limitations in communication, researchers have concluded that no other creature has the capacity for experiencing psychological and even physical pain, for complex problem-solving, for long-range future planning, and for sophisticated self-consciousness as is evident in human creatures.
Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician, physicist, inventor and philosopher reflected deeply on mankind's ability to self-consciously contemplate our own existence. We have the ability to think about thinking (metacognition); to experience the regret and even misery of knowing life could have been better; the sensation of psychological pain for shortcomings; and the guilt, shame and remorse for moral failures.
Or, is all of that simply the function of involuntary mental algorithms, the product of instinctive - but unintentional - chemical-electrical brain impulses?
The 20th century American psychologist and social philosopher B.F. Skinner threw open the door to this genre of psychology. He referred to his philosophy as radical behaviorism. Skinner rejected the concept of mind relegating it to the academic scrapheap of outdated superstition, because he asserted, mind was unable to be subjected to rigorous empirical investigation.
Additionally, Skinner dismissed the concept of free will as illusory, instead concluding that all human action or reaction is the direct result of conditioning.
Furthermore, Skinner's behaviourism rejected any psychological explanation based on beliefs, desires, memories or plans. The theory asserted that objectionable penalties to any action will likely result in that action not being repeated. Conversely, when consequences are good or desirable, the probability that the action will be repeated, when rewarded, increases in likelihood. This he referred to as the principle of reinforcement.
Are we then to accept that your courage - your character - is simply a function of the inadvertent activity inside the tissue of your brain? Can my criminal activity be excused as not really my fault? Can I legitimately argue that all choices - for good or for bad, to benefit or to harm, that which is selfless or selfish - can be reduced to the uninhibited firing of synapses in my brain?
God forbid!
No successful teacher, coach, manager - and absolutely no effective parent - buys into such thinking! The hardware of our physical brains plus the software of our minds are capable of creativity, discipline, self-denial, courage, ethical choices and unconditional love. And they can be trained - they must be influenced - to progress along those desired continuums. It is self-evident that in some way our mental properties are distinct from our physical properties.
Furthermore, our minds provide evidence that there is more to life than merely the physical world around us. Within our minds, we sense in the words of apologist and theologian Os Guiness, "echoes of transcendence".
Takeaway: The ability to comprehend right from wrong and to recognize objective standards and duties of morality - an ability shared by all people of every era and in every culture - is confirmation of the existence of God in whose image we are created.
The German Enlightenment thinker, Immanuel Kant, conceded in the 18th century: "Two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the moral law within me."
Our minds are awe-inspiring; but we are responsible for every thought. Paul directed this warning to the believers in Corinth: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
And the Bible calls on every person to have their minds renewed in an eternal spiritual relationship with the Triune God through repentant faith in Jesus Christ: The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6).
A sobering, cautionary principle: the God to whom every image-bearer must one day give account knows every thought, attitude, impulse of every mind: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD (Psalm 139:1-4).
The Lord Jesus calls me to love God with the totality of who I am, including with my mind: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).
~graphic from freebibleimages.org (YO! Ministry)