The Story of Who You Are - Part II

Kyle Kauffman // May 7 2023

Part of what it means to be human is have a body. God designed us not simply to be spirits but to have flesh and blood. Our bodies are an integral part of who we are and how God intends us to live. In the 21st century we have a tendency to either overemphasize or deemphasize our bodies. Sometimes we overemphasize our bodies by thinking that what’s on the outside is what gives us value and worth. Therefore, the youngest, most beautiful, and athletic are seen as more valuable than others. But we also tend to deemphasize our bodies. Whether it’s in ignoring the limits we have as embodied creatures or in seeking to change our biology, we try to push back against God’s design for us that is communicated through our bodies. Christians believe that humans are both body and soul and so the body matters, but it’s also not all there is to us. We believe the body is a gift from God that is meant to be stewarded well but not idolized. We also believe that the body is good, but broken by sin. But as we live in our broken bodies in accordance to God’s design we look forward to the day when our bodies will be fully restored.  

Genesis 2:5-7, 20-22