Biblical Answer

The Purpose of Human Creation

God created humans because he is love and desired a being designed on his own pattern so that he could love that creature and be freely loved in return. Humans are unique in that they are made in the image and likeness of God, which means they have the ability to reason, to make moral choices, and to understand the consequences of their actions. This is a direct clue to the nature of God, and a study of humans can provide insight into the character of God.

The Gift of Human Life

God created humans with the intention that they would know, love, and obey him, and live in harmony with other humans. The first account of human creation in Genesis 1:26-27 describes God as forming humans in his own image and likeness, while the second account in Genesis 2:7 describes God as forming the man from the dust of the ground. Both accounts emphasize the importance of human life and the purpose for which it was created. God's creation of humans was not an accident, but a deliberate act of love and purpose.

The Human Predicament

Humans were created to cultivate and develop the world and glorify God thereby, but they rejected God's loving approach and chose to disobey him. As a result, death came upon them. God, however, necessarily redeemed humanity through Jesus Christ, who came to redeem not only humans but the entire creation. The purpose of human creation was not just to exist, but to know, love, and obey God, and to live in harmony with other humans and with the creation. God's creation of humans was a deliberate act of love and purpose, and it is only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that humans can fulfill their purpose and live in harmony with God.