Results 1 - 11 of 11
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are all men created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16085 | ||
We know that God created Adam and Eve. Genesis makes this clear. As Christians, we believe that all human life is sacred. However, is there any Biblical substantiation that the rest of humanity (other than Adam and Eve) are created by God? Adam was created in God's image. What this means is muchly debated and I would prefer not to try to resolve that particular question in this thread. But the referenced verse makes it clear that Seth was born, not created, in Adam's image. By this point in time Adam had, as the father of the human race, sinned and was spiritually dead to God. This attribute Paul explains in the NT as being 'born dead in trespasses and sins' and this 'flaw' was passed down to all of us. So, was Seth in the image of God the same way that his father was when Adam was created? Or was he a product of his mother and father's union without God's creative intervention? Did God actually finish His creative work on the first sabbath or is He still creating humans? The reason that I ask this is because it is frequently quoted that 'all men are created in the image of God.' Does scripture actually support this view? Adam and Eve were, but does that mean that all the rest of humanity is still, even in our fallen state, 'in the image' of God? Please note, I believe that all life originated with God, but is our view of the sanctity of human life based on a correct scriptural premise? As always, please use scripture to support your answer. |
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2 | Are all men created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Lionstrong | 16107 | ||
Man, the Image of God Dear Bill, Man is the image of God. ¶. Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Gen. 1:27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ¶. God created MAN in his image. Adam was the NAME of the first man, but Man the creature was created in the image of God. This was what he was created to be. This was his “kind.” As each creature was “made after its kind,” the kind of creature man was, was a creature made in the image of God, unique among all of God’s creatures, in a class by himself. God did not say, “Let us make Adam in our image...” It is on the basis of what man is that he is given dominion over the earth. Man is not an animal, and in our culture it is also necessary to maintain that man is not a machine either. ¶You might ask yourself some questions: If man is not the image of God, what is he? What makes man unique if it is not his being the image of God? On what basis is he to be treated differently from any other creature? ¶. Read the creation account and notice that each living creature falls into a certain class or group, “the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Gen. 1:26 But man is not placed in any of these categories. His is in a class by himself, the image of God. ¶. Other passages to consider: “Gen. 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.”” It is on the basis of what man is -- the image of God -- that he cannot be treated like an animal ¶. 1 Cor. 11:7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. In more poetic language David affirms that man is the image of God which is the basis for his dominion over the earth: Ps. 8:3 ¶ When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; Ps. 8:4 What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Ps. 8:5 Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty! Ps. 8:6 Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, Ps. 8:7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, Ps. 8:8 The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. ¶. You see how this psalm reflects Gen. 1. Peace, Lionstrong |
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3 | Is God still creating man in His image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16122 | ||
Granted, man, as a species was made (past tense, at creation) in the image of God. I am not questioning that. But is God still creating man in His image everytime someone is born? The reference verse above does not say that Seth was born in the image of God. It says that Seth was born in Adam's image. I believe that, after the fall, man was no longer the exact representation of God's image. He became, through Adam's sin, a fallen creature. When Christ came, He showed us man as man was designed to be - totally dependant upon God. God was His life source. Christ said, 'I don't do or say anything unless the Father tells Me to do or say it. Why? Because My Father and I are one.' And scripture says that He (Christ) was the exact representation of God's nature. Philip said to Jesus, 'Show us the Father.' Jesus replied, 'If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father.' Now, with Christ in us, we, too, can reflect the image of God as we let Him live through us. We, as believers, are one spirit with Him. But, my question is, is man, in his fallen natural state (born dead in trespasses and sin) still being created in the image of God? On a personal note, I don't understand how the terrorist who have attacked the US could be considered 'created in the image of God.' Or someone like Adolf Hitler, who tried to exterminate the Jews, how is he the iamge of God. I see the opposite. Or someone like Bill Mc, who left to his own devices, before he was saved, could have, but for the grace of God, committed any crime I could think of. I have hated, I have lusted - in my heart I was guilty of murder and adultery. I cannot look at my life and say that it was always the image of God. People will say that we have no right to execute criminals for their crimes because man is the image of God. I think we forfeited that attribute when Adam sinned. Is God still, present tense, creating man in His image? If He is, I believe it is only at new birth - Rom 6:4, 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:16, Eph 2:10. What do you think? |
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4 | Is God still creating man in His image? | Gen 5:3 | charis | 16131 | ||
Dear Bill, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I believe that we all are (even now) created in the image of God. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24 NASB It is my belief that man is body, soul and spirit. Our spirit is created in His holy image, but not yet turned toward God because of the influence of our fallen nature, which is flesh and soul. Flesh is earthly, and totally selfish and corrupt. Our soul, including emotions and conscience, is 'undecided' or 'capricious.' This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body. This is where the 'confusion' that Paul speaks of takes place, even after conversion. Fortunately, the closer we cling to Jesus, the more stable our soul becomes, and our regenerated spirit reigns in our inner being. This would be the *mature* Christian, one that trusts the moving of His Spirit in our spirit. Fellow saints, this is my personal thinking. I believe it satisfies the realities that we all witness in the 'human condition,' and his quest for sanctification in Christ Jesus. There are many that believe in the 'bipartite being' of man, and that soul and spirit are one. This does not satisfy the Word as spoken in Hebrews 4:12 NASB, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." As to criminals, they are unregenerate, and so turned toward their selfish desires that they are 'unreceptive soil.' As to the final decision of salvation or condemnation, this is in the capable hands of God. My humble brother, that we do not deserve to boast of being 'in the image of God' continues even after knowing Him. But, praise the Lord, we have a new, restored hope within us that one day that part of us will completely reign in our being, and the corrupt will be vanquished! In Christ Jesus, charis |
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5 | Dear charis, could you clarify this? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16144 | ||
Dear Charis, Thanks for your response. I appreciate hearing other views. I do agree with you that man is tripartate - spirit, soul, and body. But your statement, 'Our spirit is created in His holy image, but not yet turned toward God because of the influence of our fallen nature, which is flesh and soul' seems to imply that everyone's spirit is holy. You have stated that this is your belief and I do respect that. But do you have any scripture to support the implication that everyone's spirit is holy? If you do indeed beleive that every person is born with their spirit created in His holy image, then why do you say later in your post that 'our regenerated spirit reigns'? What need is there for a regenerated spirit if it is created holy at our birth? And doesn't God's Word say that the things of God are spiritually discerned, not 'soulishly' discerned? Thank you for reminding us that if we boast, we are to, like Paul, boast in the Lord and what He has done. In Him, Bill Mc |
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6 | Dear charis, could you clarify this? | Gen 5:3 | charis | 16148 | ||
Dear Bill, Good point! I was thinking as I was writing, then for got to say that our spirit (small 's') is not yet holy, but carries the full potential, or hope, of holiness. When we recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit, AND begin to obey Him, then the potential is released resulting in regeneration, a work that has a beginning, and a continuation, until we meet the Lord. I'm afraid that I am not sure what you mean by the 'soulishly discerned' question. Are you referring to Hebrews 4:12 'heart?' Blessings and peace in a confused age. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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7 | Is this any clearer? Einee-Minee... | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16158 | ||
charis, thanks for the clarification. To clarify my prior question to you, you had stated, 'This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body.' My question was that I think that our spirits are what allows us to know God. I believe that scripture supports that many things of God are spiritually discerned. My soul (mind, will, and emotions - personality) cannot (to my utter frustration) understand the Trinity. But God has revealed it (through the Word written by, ultimately, the Holy Spirit) to be fact. It is the same way with my unregenerated spiritual death. My soul, apart from the revelation of God through His Word, would never have know that I was born spiritually dead. I would have thought, in my natural senses, sure, I'm alive. I could perceive myself and others (soul perception, soulishly alive) but I have no perception of God other than what my soul discerns from nature. I.e. I can tell from nature that God exists by I have very little information as to what He is really like. Hence the Law reflected His character in the OT (and ours) and Jesus Christ is the true, exact representation of God's nature in the NT. Well, I've probably taken this further than I initially wanted to and I have maybe confussed you (and myself). But, what I was trying to find out is this: Many co-workers are saying, "Now, Bill, you claim to be a Christian. Christians are against the death penalty (I am not against it, personally I beleive the law is made for the ungodly) and men are created in the image of God. So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" This was the point of my initial question. Are we STILL being created in the image of God? Thanks for your input and Christ-like spirit, Bill Mc |
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8 | Is this any clearer? Einee-Minee... | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16188 | ||
Sorry folks. This may have appeared as an insult when I listed 'einee...minee' in the title. It was not intended that way. I was trying to make reference to all the choices that we have (einee, minee, mynee, moe...) but, after I posted it, it looked like I was calling Charis a name. I assure you, I was not. I have the utmost respect for Charis. I'll repost the question and try to be a little more careful with the titles. In Him, Bill Mc |
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9 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16189 | ||
Dear Charis, thanks for the clarification. To clarify my prior question to you, you had stated, 'This is the part of us that knows good and evil, and allows us know (be known by) the Lord and recognize His image in us, or conversely be led by our earthly body.' My implication was that I think that our spirits are what allows us to know God. I believe that scripture supports that many things of God are spiritually discerned. My soul (mind, will, and emotions - personality) cannot (to my utter frustration) understand the Trinity. But God has revealed it (through the Word written by, ultimately, the Holy Spirit) to be fact. It is the same way with my unregenerated spiritual death. My soul, apart from the revelation of God through His Word, would never have know that I was born spiritually dead. I would have thought, in my natural senses, sure, I'm alive. I could perceive myself and others (soul perception, soulishly alive) but I have no perception of God other than what my soul discerns from nature. I.e. I can tell from nature that God exists by I have very little information as to what He is really like. Hence the Law reflected His character in the OT (and ours) and Jesus Christ is the true, exact representation of God's nature in the NT. Well, I've probably taken this further than I initially wanted to and I have maybe confussed you (and myself). But, what I was trying to find out is this: Many co-workers are saying, "Now, Bill, you claim to be a Christian. Christians are against the death penalty and men are created in the image of God. So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" This was the point of my initial question. Are we STILL being created in the image of God? Thanks for your input and Christ-like spirit, Bill Mc |
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10 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Searcher56 | 16206 | ||
Bill Mc, Are we STILL being created in the image of God? ... No, please read my previous post. "Christians are against the death penalty" ... some are, but, God laid out His laws, which included the death penalty. "Men are created in the image of God" ... Not exactly, as I have alrady pointed out "So if you want these terrorists punished by death, than you will be killing what God created, right?" ... God wiped out the world, and executed many others, including three in Acts. HOWEVER, He wants everyone to come to Him and be saved (2Pe 3:9). There still may be consequences. Steve |
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11 | Is man still created in God's image? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16211 | ||
Thanks, Steve. Blessings to you, brother. |
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