TexFire316
Come as a child, with no agenda
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He seemed way too happy, and had way too much stuff.When he is created in God's image and likeness?
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He seemed way too happy, and had way too much stuff.When he is created in God's image and likeness?
Angels and DemonsWhen he is created in God's image and likeness?
The Bible tells us that unlike animals and plants, humans are created in the image of God. But what do we know about angels, Satan, and the heavenly host?
The Image of God
Being made in the image of God is a major factor distinguishing humanity from the animals and other physical entities. In Genesis 1:26–27, we read:
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Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
According to verse 27, both Adam and the Woman (male and female) were created in the image of God. Since we are all descendants of our first parents, then we have been made in the image of God as well. Genesis 9:6 confirms that the image of God is passed on to Adam’s descendants.
What sets us apart from animals and plants is that we have a spiritual aspect. Plants have a “body” or at least a physical aspect but no soul. This is why creationists often point out that plants are not living in the biblical sense. Animals, on the other hand, were created with a body and a soul (Hebrew: nephesh) according to such passages asGenesis 1:24–25. Unlike animals, humanity has a spiritual aspect as well.1 Recall Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Mankind has a unique spiritual aspect, and this spirit is uniquely made in the image of God.2 We should expect this image to have certain aspects of God’s characteristics since God is spirit (John 4:24). However, this does not mean that we have all of them, for we have but a taste of God’s attributes. This image was first placed into Adam when God breathed life into him.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (spirit) of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)
The Hebrew word for breath here is nashamah and is often translated as “breath” or “spirit.” Often Christians describe the image of God as superior intellectual ability, such as reason and abstract thought, worship of God, language and communication with God, ability to make decisions, creative expression, immortality, emotions such as love, sadness, anger, and so on. These attributes show how separate man is from beasts and other physical entities; however, angels, Satan, demons, and other heavenly host, have many of these same attributes.
Spiritual Beings . . . Image of God Too?
One may quickly dismiss such an intriguing question without much thought by claiming that the Bible doesn’t say angels were created with the “image of God.” However, a quick dismissal may be unwise. After all, the Scriptures do not say they weren’t created with the image of God either. The Bible doesn’t give us extensive background about angels since its focus is on mankind, but we can examine what it does tell us about angels in attempting to answer this question.
Consider a few of these characteristics and see how Scripture ascribes them to spiritual beings. While many examples can be found in Scripture, a couple should suffice for each.
Superior intellectual ability such as reason and abstract thought
When the serpent, which was influenced by Satan, deceived Eve in Genesis 3, there was considerable intellectual ability, even being termed “clever/cunning.” Satan, referring to Job in Job 1:9–11 and Job 2:4–5, used logic to say that Job would turn if he lost his possessions and became diseased. (Many people in such a situation probably would have turned from God, but God knew Job would not.)
Worship of God
Hebrews 1:6 points out that angels worship the Lord. We also see the heavenly host praising God in Luke 2:13–14.
Language and communication with God
Satan was able to converse with God in Job 1–2. Satan was also able to understand Christ (Mark 8:33). The legion of demons spoke with Christ (Mark 5:9). Angels often spoke to people, e.g. Mary, the mother of Christ, and John in Revelation.
Ability to make decisions
Satan and the demons obviously fell from grace when sinning against God.
Creative expression
The four living creatures (whom are among the heavenly host) in Revelation 5:8–10played harps and sang a new song. With the extensive amount of praise and worship to God by the angels and heavenly host, we would expect them to create much music—even the morning stars (i.e. angels) sang for joy at the creation (Job 38:7).
Immortality
Like humans, eternal life will be the outcome of angels who did not fall and eternal punishment for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
Emotions such as love, joy, desire, sadness, pride, and anger
Luke 15:10 indicates that angels are joyous when one person repents. The devil has great wrath in Revelation 12:12. The angels and the devil have desires (1 Peter 1:12; John 8:44).
Conclusion
Since the Bible doesn’t say whether spiritual beings are made in the image of God, we can only infer from Scripture. Of the many attributes Christians often cite as distinctions between mankind and animals as evidence man is made in the image of God, these same attributes are found in heavenly beings.
Put simply, in our fallen state, we may never fully grasp what encompasses being made “in the image of God.” God is infinite, and simply trying to comprehend God’s attributes can sometimes seem overwhelming.
But on the flip side, should it be a surprise that spiritual beings have attributes of their Creator who is spirit as well? We can be sure of what God’s Word teaches: humans are made in the image of God and are distinct from animals by having a spiritual aspect. I’m not aware of any major theological problems if one considers spiritual beings as being made in the image of God. Therefore, it may be wise to leave open the possibility that heavenly beings are made in the image of God.
Is the church described as a bride because of marriage itself or because God is not on the same level as people and the term friend would be wierd?I would consider God wanted Adam to have someone to share love with.
And if I have a close companion, we can learn how to love in a close relationship. This can be done without marriage and sex, of course, but God perhaps was multitasking . . . providing Adam companionship, while also including Adam and Eve in God's plan to have many humans on this earth. Our Father does include us in doing things He wants . . . though in theory He could do things all by Himself.God does want Jesus to have a bride . . . but not as only one woman on the earth. Rather > Romans 8:29.
We were created in God's image . . . as creatures. We are the creature image of God, while Jesus is the living image of God.
And clearly we were not made exactly like God, because the first humans were able to sin.
All along, it was intended how Jesus would be the first and best in all which is good . . . including living without sin on this earth.
Now . . . maybe your real question could be > why would some man need to have you as his companion? And this is for you two to enjoy discovering in case God has a surprise in preparation for you
I myself am not married, but now that I am 73 I have a companion about 83, I think. And my experience now is if a relationship is of God . . . there is so much good to discover to be why He put us together. We spend time with one another, discovering each other's very personal things, so we can help each other and do each other good. Plus, we help each other, practically. We share enjoyments, like her doggie. And we help each other to reach and to love people around us.
Loving can have a way of including more than one person. This is a consideration
The Bible tells us that unlike animals and plants, humans are created in the image of God. But what do we know about angels, Satan, and the heavenly host?
The Image of God
Being made in the image of God is a major factor distinguishing humanity from the animals and other physical entities. In Genesis 1:26–27, we read:
Lifetime Boarding Pass
Get lifetime admission to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum plus exclusive benefits. Available for a limited time!
LEARN MORE
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
According to verse 27, both Adam and the Woman (male and female) were created in the image of God. Since we are all descendants of our first parents, then we have been made in the image of God as well. Genesis 9:6 confirms that the image of God is passed on to Adam’s descendants.
What sets us apart from animals and plants is that we have a spiritual aspect. Plants have a “body” or at least a physical aspect but no soul. This is why creationists often point out that plants are not living in the biblical sense. Animals, on the other hand, were created with a body and a soul (Hebrew: nephesh) according to such passages asGenesis 1:24–25. Unlike animals, humanity has a spiritual aspect as well.1 Recall Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Mankind has a unique spiritual aspect, and this spirit is uniquely made in the image of God.2 We should expect this image to have certain aspects of God’s characteristics since God is spirit (John 4:24). However, this does not mean that we have all of them, for we have but a taste of God’s attributes. This image was first placed into Adam when God breathed life into him.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (spirit) of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)
The Hebrew word for breath here is nashamah and is often translated as “breath” or “spirit.” Often Christians describe the image of God as superior intellectual ability, such as reason and abstract thought, worship of God, language and communication with God, ability to make decisions, creative expression, immortality, emotions such as love, sadness, anger, and so on. These attributes show how separate man is from beasts and other physical entities; however, angels, Satan, demons, and other heavenly host, have many of these same attributes.
Spiritual Beings . . . Image of God Too?
One may quickly dismiss such an intriguing question without much thought by claiming that the Bible doesn’t say angels were created with the “image of God.” However, a quick dismissal may be unwise. After all, the Scriptures do not say they weren’t created with the image of God either. The Bible doesn’t give us extensive background about angels since its focus is on mankind, but we can examine what it does tell us about angels in attempting to answer this question.
Consider a few of these characteristics and see how Scripture ascribes them to spiritual beings. While many examples can be found in Scripture, a couple should suffice for each.
Superior intellectual ability such as reason and abstract thought
When the serpent, which was influenced by Satan, deceived Eve in Genesis 3, there was considerable intellectual ability, even being termed “clever/cunning.” Satan, referring to Job in Job 1:9–11 and Job 2:4–5, used logic to say that Job would turn if he lost his possessions and became diseased. (Many people in such a situation probably would have turned from God, but God knew Job would not.)
Worship of God
Hebrews 1:6 points out that angels worship the Lord. We also see the heavenly host praising God in Luke 2:13–14.
Language and communication with God
Satan was able to converse with God in Job 1–2. Satan was also able to understand Christ (Mark 8:33). The legion of demons spoke with Christ (Mark 5:9). Angels often spoke to people, e.g. Mary, the mother of Christ, and John in Revelation.
Ability to make decisions
Satan and the demons obviously fell from grace when sinning against God.
Creative expression
The four living creatures (whom are among the heavenly host) in Revelation 5:8–10played harps and sang a new song. With the extensive amount of praise and worship to God by the angels and heavenly host, we would expect them to create much music—even the morning stars (i.e. angels) sang for joy at the creation (Job 38:7).
Immortality
Like humans, eternal life will be the outcome of angels who did not fall and eternal punishment for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
Emotions such as love, joy, desire, sadness, pride, and anger
Luke 15:10 indicates that angels are joyous when one person repents. The devil has great wrath in Revelation 12:12. The angels and the devil have desires (1 Peter 1:12; John 8:44).
Conclusion
Since the Bible doesn’t say whether spiritual beings are made in the image of God, we can only infer from Scripture. Of the many attributes Christians often cite as distinctions between mankind and animals as evidence man is made in the image of God, these same attributes are found in heavenly beings.
Put simply, in our fallen state, we may never fully grasp what encompasses being made “in the image of God.” God is infinite, and simply trying to comprehend God’s attributes can sometimes seem overwhelming.
But on the flip side, should it be a surprise that spiritual beings have attributes of their Creator who is spirit as well? We can be sure of what God’s Word teaches: humans are made in the image of God and are distinct from animals by having a spiritual aspect. I’m not aware of any major theological problems if one considers spiritual beings as being made in the image of God. Therefore, it may be wise to leave open the possibility that heavenly beings are made in the image of God.
live alone for a few years and you'll have your answer.When he is created in God's image and likeness?
Jehovah said there is NONE like Him.
Someone had to wash the dishes...
I guess this will remain a mystery. God knows best.
Adam STILL had a need
Eve was a greater gift than eternal life
Adam was willing to follow in Eve's sin to be with her even though it cost him eternal life.
Maybe this was the beginning of the great test.
What makes you say this? Are we certain that eternal life was already theirs? We're not told whether they ate from the Tree of Life prior to this.
You mean by eating the fruit? Maybe it was more that he was already following animal like urges and didn't desire to eat of the ToL.
They had access to the tree of life and weren't forbidden to eat from it, and it was only after they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil that they would die, so... seems like they had eternal life, and Adam was told by God that he'd die if he ate from the tree, and Eve ate, so he ate. He chose dying with Eve over eternal singleness.
He chose dying with Eve over eternal singleness.
Yeah they had access. But, did they partake?
Why were their senses already so dull?
I've heard it said that Eve shouldn't have even been in that position and Adam should've been more proactive. If they ate of the ToL, why were they not up to the task?
Well, he saw that she was still alive and he was already falling off from his duties (so I've heard).
Are you sure it was all about her?
*If he didn't want to be alone, it was really all about himself.
who said the ToL did anything other than grant indefinite life?
When he is created in God's image and likeness?
Not so. If it was just about himself, he could have not sinned,
God could have cast her out, and made him a new female companion to replace her.
it was choosing dying with Eve over living forever without her
also that she would be alone, and die alone.
He loved her so he sinned himself and would die, to follow her, so that neither he, or she, would die alone and apart from one another.
He didn't want to be alone. Isn't this selfish?
They were already one self, so did he really have a choice?
They were already one.
Adam already was in the same boat with Eve as soon as they became one. When she ate, Adam ate.
Adam died as one.
Love led to sin?