Nipate
Forum => Controversial => Topic started by: GeeMail on June 29, 2015, 04:30:29 PM
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God Created Man and Woman
One of the perennial questions humans have asked is, Where do I come
from? In the first two chapters of the Bible (in fact, all through the Bible),
we have been given the answer to what many would consider the most
important question a person can ask. After all, only by knowing where
we came from are we off to a good start in knowing who we are, why we
exist, how we are to live, and where we are ultimately going.
Skim through Genesis 1 and 2 but focus especially on Genesis 1:26–28.
What great differences appear in the creation of humanity as
opposed to everything else seen in the texts? What is it about
humans that stands out from other parts of this creation?
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1. Man and woman were created last of all the creatures. They had
the whole visible Creation in front of them to study and care for.
2. God’s mode for creating man and woman differed from that of the
other creatures. Up to this point, the divine command had been, “Let
there be” (light, firmament, water, fish and birds, animals, etc.). Now
the command was turned into consultation: “Let us make man . . .”
The Three Persons of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
consulted about it. Though these two chapters deal with the creation of
the earth and the creatures on it, there’s no question that the main focus
is on the creation of humanity itself.
3. Man and woman were created in God’s image and likeness, something
not said about anything else that was created at that time. Though the text
doesn’t say what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, it
must mean that humans in some way reflect the character of their Creator.
Because humans have a moral capacity not seen in other creatures (butterflies
might be beautiful, but they don’t struggle with questions of right and
wrong), to be made in the likeness and image of God surely means that to
some degree humans must reflect His moral character.
4. Man and woman were to have dominion, to represent God on earth,
and rule over the rest of Creation. This calling entails responsibility.
Humans are introduced in the Bible in the first chapter, but not
in isolation. We exist, but in relationship to God. What does this
tell us about how central God should be to our lives and why we
are not really “complete” without Him? See also Acts 17:28.