Mike wrote: So then, how was Adam different from other men? From what you
seem to be
saying, Adam was no different spiritually, in and of himself, than other
men.
The difference would not be in what Adam was but only in what, or Who,
Adam
knew. I think this is what has caused so much confusion.
Let me answer this in your words:
I believe Adam was a historical person who was created by God and inserted
into an already populated world. I believe Bible chronology dates this event
to 4,000 years before the birth of Christ. However, I do not believe that
Adam was the first man who was created "in God's image." I do not believe
that Adam differed in any way "spiritually" from the indigenous populations
which surrounded Eden, other than being put under "law" by God. (Romans
5:13)
I believe God simply used Adam, as a representative of the human race, to
illustrate the fact that no human being is worthy of eternal life. His
inability to obey one simple command demonstrated that fact and brought
condemnation upon all men. His actions served to prove the fact that the
human
race had long been unworthy of eternal life and had thus been deserving of
the deaths they had long been suffering.
I of course agree with this stance.
Mike wrote: The claim has been made that Gen. 1:26,27 refers to the creation
of the man
"Adam" in God's image, and that people other than Adam and his
descendents,
before, during and after the time of Adam, were not created "in God's
image."
As I understand this line of reasoning, being created "in God's image"
referred only to people who were created or born into a covenant
relationship
with the true God. But, as of now, I remain unconvinced of the validity of
these claims.
There are those that make this claim, but I am not one of them.
Mike wrote: I still believe that Gen. 1:26,27 refers to God's creation of
the human race
before His creation of Adam. I believe that being created "in God's image"
refers to men being given minds that are capable of thinking "spiritual"
thoughts and being given eternal spirits by God, something God gives to
all
men but does not give to lower animals.
It seems to me that if the image of God, spoken of in Gen. 1:26,27, was an
image that was acquired by someone due to their being in a covenant
relationship with God, then Adam and Eve would have only acquired God's
image
after they showed by their actions that they had decided to obey the
command
God had given them. (A covenant is an agreement between two parties.)
However, Adam and Eve chose to disobey God's command. Though it seems
likely
that they later entered into a covenant relationship with God by accepting
His way of obtaining forgivness for their disobedience, animal sacrifices.
For after being expelled from Eden God covered them with the skins of
slain
animals. This probably was done to picture that their sins had been
covered
over by blood that had been shed for them. (Gen. 3:21)
Some have compared Adam and Eve's being created in God's image to a person
becoming a new creation at the time they accept Jesus Christ as their
Lord.
However, for a someone to be created in God's image in this way they must
first make a personal decision to follow Christ. Despite some churches'
custom of baptizing infants, people are not born into "the New covenant,"
even people with Christian parents. However, that is what some here seem
to
be saying in regard to Adam and his descendants having "the image of God."
They say that they acquired that image simply by being placed under one
particular law (Don't eat this fruit.), or being instructed by God what
kind
of religious rituals He wanted them to perform (Sacrifice these kinds of
animals.).
I don't think someone can acquire "the image of God" by simply being told
by
Him what He wants them to do. Especially if they never personally decide
to
follow those instructions (as was the case with Adam, Eve, Cain, and
judging
from the very few people on Noah's ark, most of Adam and Eve's other
descendants). These things being so, I continue to believe that being made
"in the image of God" (Gen. 1:26,27) did not refer to Adam and Eve being
informed of God's requirements for them shortly after their creation, or
to
their descendants being informed of God's requirements for them shortly
after
their births. I continue to believe that Gen. 1:26,27 refers to God's
creating all men in His image by giving us minds which are able to
understand
spiritual things and by giving us all eternal spirits, much like His own.
You make good points. I totally agree. I must point out however that in
reading these last couple of paragraphs, it seems that you start and end by
saying that all men are created in his image, because we have a soul and are
capable of having communion with God. I agree with this. The other
paragraphs took me awhile, because it leads one to think that you are
advocating the "image" as being the communion itself. If this is what you
are saying, I would disagree. But I'm fairly certain this is not your
position, so I'll take this as an explanation of the position of others
which you wanted to point out. As I've said, if we took the time, you might
find that you and I are probably closer than I am with Dick and Jim. I do
agree with most of their position, but I do disagree on a few small items.
My interest in aligning with them is that I would rather join together with
those that are close than those that are not. Hopefully with time we will
all find more answers to this question. I know that many feel that Genesis
is a mute issue and that salvation is the only important thing. I say that
it is the most important thing, but understanding how and why we are here is
almost as important. Especially when too many kids today end up spiritually
lost because of the differences between denominations and religions, not to
mention the disconnection with science. Unless we can either admit that the
bible is wrong and not factual, or disprove science, then we must begin to
find the answers that connect them together. Hopefully then these lost souls
will come home to God.
Don P
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