Man, in Christian Theology, is the creation of God, and it is man alone who reflects the image of God. The first man, Adam, was made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27) and placed in the Garden of Eden for the purpose of enjoying the fellowship of the Lord and fulfilling the purpose of God’s creation. He was told to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth,” (Gen. 1:28).

When Adam and Eve sinned, all of humanity fell with them (Rom. 5:12-21). But, even though Eve sinned first, sin entered the world through Adam (Rom. 5:12). Adam represented all humanity: “In Adam all die . . . ” (1 Cor. 15:22). As a result of Adam’s disobedience, condemnation resulted to all men (Rom. 5:18). Therefore, we are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Man does not seek God (Rom. 3:11), nor can he understand the spiritual things of God (1 Cor. 2:14).

Since this is the condition of man in his natural state, salvation is then impossible for us to achieve (Matt. 19:26). That is why mankind needs the free gift of salvation (Rom. 6:23) given by God to Christians through faith in Jesus‘ sacrifice on the cross.