TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations

Series Preface

Author’s Preface

QUEUING THE QUESTIONS

1. Identity Angst

“Be True to Yourself”

The Elusive Self

Who Am I Really?

ARRIVING AT ANSWERS

2. Personal Identity and the Bible

Three Interrelated Questions

What Is a Human Being?

Who Am I?

Who Are We?

The Rest of This Book

Relevant Questions

3. The Foundations of Personal Identity

Traditional Identity Markers

Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality

Culture

Gender and Sexuality

Physical and Mental Capacity

Family of Origin

Age

Relationships

Occupation

Possessions

Religion

Personality and Character

The Danger of Idolatry

The Foundations of Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

4. Human Beings According to the Bible

The Human Constitution

Old Testament Usage: Made from Dust; Living Beings

New Testament Usage: Anthropological Terms in Paul’s Letters

Body and Flesh

Mind and Heart

Soul and Spirit

Inner Being

Summary

Genesis 1–3 and What It Is to Be Human

Human Beings Are Special

Humans Are Social Beings

Humans Are Sexual Beings

Humans Are Moral Beings

Humans Are Spiritual Beings

Being Human and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

5. The Image and Likeness of God

Adam, the Son of God

The Lies of Satan about Human Identity

Children of God and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

6. Known by God in the Old Testament

God Knows Us Intimately and Personally

What It Means to Be Known by God

Belonging to God

Chosen by God

Child of God

A Secure Attachment to God

Kindred Ideas

Naming as Knowing

God’s Books

Remembered by God

Sample Texts: Isaiah 49 and Malachi 3

Isaiah 49—God’s Tattoo

Malachi 3—A Scroll of Remembrance

Being Known by God and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

7. Known by God and Christ in the New Testament

The Primacy of Being Known by God

What It Means to Be Known by God

Belonging to God

Chosen by God

Son of God

Known by Christ

Jesus Christ Knows Us Intimately and Personally

Known and Not Known at the Last Judgment

Sample Text: The Gospel of John

The Prologue and Purpose Statement

Cumulative Reading

Known by Christ in John

Jesus and Nathanael

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Jesus and Mary Magdalene

Jesus and His Sheep

Being Known by God and Christ and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

8. Known in Christ, the Son of God

The Identity of Jesus Christ

The Son of Man

The Son of God

The Son of God Known by God

Union with the Son of God

Union with the Son of God and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

9. Son of God and Child of God

Understanding Metaphors

Divine Adoption

The Affective Impact

The Cognitive Meaning

Heirs with an Inheritance

Family Likeness and Imitation

Fatherly Discipline

Brothers and Sisters in the Family of God

Affective Impact: Love and Intimacy

Cognitive Meaning: Harmony, Mutual Care, and Support

Sample Texts: Hebrews and the Sermon on the Mount

Hebrews

The Sermon on the Mount

Divine Adoption and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

10. Shared Memory and Defining Destiny

Memory and Destiny in Israel

Memory and Identity

We Were Bought at a Price—1 Corinthians 7:21–24

We Died with Christ—Romans 6:3–10

We Carry Around the Death of Jesus—2 Corinthians 4:11–12

Destiny and Identity

We Are Hard Pressed for Time—1 Corinthians 7:29–31

We Were Sealed for the Day of Redemption—Ephesians 1:13–14

We Belong to the Day—Romans 13:11–14

We Shall Be Like Him—1 John 3:1–3

We Await Our Resurrection Bodies—1 Corinthians 15

Memory, Destiny, and Personal Identity

Relevant Questions

REFLECTING ON RELEVANCE

11. Significance

A Disappointing Life

A Diminished Life

The End of Life

True and Lasting Significance

Relevant Questions

12. Humility

The Problems with Pride

The Tower of Babel

Pride as Making a Name for Yourself

Pride as Thinking “the Sky is the Limit”

The Wonder of Being Known by God

Humble Gratitude

Relevant Questions

13. Comfort

The Comfort of Being Known by God

The Experience of Israel

Oppressed and Enslaved

Wandering Aimlessly

Longing for Home

Taking Refuge in God

The Proof of God’s Love

Relevant Questions

14. Direction

The Search for Authenticity

Sample Text: Colossians 3:1–14

Defining Moments and Signature Moves

Relevant Questions

15. Known by God

A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity

Knowing Yourself as You Are Known

Get Baptized

Attend Family Gatherings

Read and Hear the Bible

Pray to Your Heavenly Father

Sing the Faith

Say the Creed

Take Communion

Live the Gospel

Summary

Remembering Who You Are

Relevant Questions

Scripture Index

Subject Index

Author Index