Value & Purpose
The value of human beings, how we know good from evil, and where true value comes from.
How do we determine what has value and what doesn't?
Value is determined within subject–object relationships and ultimately by God's purpose of creation. A person centered on God seeks truth, beauty, goodness, and love in others, realizing their original value. This standard is objective and unchanging — human beings are absolutely valuable as God's object partners, and all things find true worth when serving the purpose of love.
What is the original position of human beings in the creation, including the angels?
Human beings were created as God's children and heirs, bearing His image and holding dominion over creation, while angels were created as ministering servants. Lucifer, jealous that God loved Adam and Eve as children far more than him as a servant, inverted the order through the Fall. Salvation restores humanity's original position as perfected sons and daughters.
What is the value of human beings?
Human beings possess absolute, unchanging value because we are created in God's image as His children and unique, irreplaceable object partners of love. Our worth flows from the absolute God, not from achievement or approval, and is confirmed by the price of redemption — Christ given for us. Every person, therefore, is to be treated as a temple of God.
How do we know what is true and what is false in relation to God?
Discerning truth about God requires objective tests: agreement with Scripture, alignment with God's purpose of creation (mature character, true family, loving dominion), and the fruit of transformed lives. This teaching adds that truth unfolds progressively as humanity matures, fulfilling rather than destroying earlier revelation. Truth is finally verified by practice, not by argument.