SOME BASIC HUMAN

PRINCIPLES
SOURCES: SCRIPTURES/SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH/TRADITION
1. HUMAN PERSON

A. Man, Woman created in the

Image and likeness of God (Gen 1:
27)
GEN 1:27: “GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS IMAGE, IN
THE DIVINE IMAGE HE CREATED HIM; MALE
AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM.”
• This image is bestowed
on (Human)mankind by
his Creator, not assigned
to (Human) mankind by
other humans based on
a relative standard of
individual worth.
 HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED

• “The sanctity of
human life is based
on the fact that
‘God created man
in his own image
and likeness’ (Gen
1:27).
ST. BONAVENTURE SAYS:

•“Creation contains the footprints

of God. That which is created
mirrors its Maker and, because of
that, is precious.”
 HUMAN LIFE IS THE CENTER OF ALL GOD’S CREATION.” (HUMAN LIFE IS
BEAUTIFUL, P. 25)

• Human life, from

its beginning “Human life is
involves the sacred because
creative action of of the
God and it remains immortality of
for ever in a its soul, its vital
special relationship
principle.” (Gen
with the Creator,
who is its sole 2:7).
end.”
• We must deal
each other with
awe that arises in
the presence of
something holy
and sacred.
• Economic Justice for All, #28
•This teaching rests on
one basic principle:
individual human
beings are the
foundation, the cause
and the end of every
social institution. (Mater
et Magistra Mother and Teacher, #219)
SOME BIBLICAL PASSAGES:

• GOD superintends every life from its earliest moments in the womb:

a) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1: 5)

b) “You Formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s

womb.” (Psalm 139: 13)
GOD SO THOROUGHLY SUSTAINS
EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIFE

• The Bible says, “If He were to take back

His spirit to Himself, and withdraw to
Himself His breath, All flesh would
perish together, and man would return
to the dust” (Job 34:14- 15)
HUMANS: RATIONAL, MORAL, ABILITY TO MAKE FREE
DECISIONS BASED ON REASON AND INTELLIGENCE.