Personal Humanity & Impersonal Nature

May 3, 1999

Issues & Evidence

Personality, as defined before, is mind, will & emotions.
Is there a basis for personality if the universe originated by chance?
Figure: "Humanity in an Impersonal Universe."

The Genesis Account

God first reveals the personality of the human race in the Genesis account:

God	Personal	The Biblical God is a personal God.	1:1-31
		Figure: "The Attributes of God."

Humanity	Personal	God gave the man the choice of food.	2:16
		The man & woman had the choice of good & evil.	2:17, 3:6
		Reason & choice are used in naming the animals.	2:19
		Through reason, the man chose the woman's name.	2:23
		The man showed emotional attachment to the woman.	2:23
		Emotional ties would transfer in marriage.	2:24
		God's image is retained after the fall (Jm 3:9).	9:6
		Personality is revealed throughout Scripture.
		Figure: "The Personality & Imperfection of Humanity."

Nature	Impersonal	No corresponding helper was found in nature.	2:20
		Nature lacks understanding.	Ps 32:8-9
		The mind of humanity & nature differ.	Dan 4:16
		Animals are flesh, not spirit.	Isa 31:3

Evidence of Personality

Mind, will & emotion are the building blocks of personality types.
The most popular normative psychology model in the world is built upon these.
The Myers-Briggs model distinguishes preferences in mind, will & emotion.
It also distinguishes differences in our approach to relationships.
It distinguishes preference in relational breadth (extrovert) & depth (introvert).
While not a Biblically derived model, many of it's premises align with Christianity.
Figure: "The Biblical Relationship to Personality Types."
See also: "A Christian Perspective of Myers-Briggs Personality Types."

From Philosophical to Personal: Unique Personalities

On the philosophical level, God has created humanity distinct from nature.
We reflect God's image in that we have personality.
On a personal level, we each have unique personalities.
Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God's work in every individual:

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

The phrase "inward parts" is also translated as "mind, feelings & inmost being."
God has had His hand in the makeup of our unique personalities.
As a species & as individuals, we owe our personalities to God.