In what way were Adam and Even originally made in the image of God?

[joshua 1 9]

We can have the Mind of Christ and the Divine Thoughts of God.
This is what it means to be born again and to be a new creation in Christ.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

In Genesis 1: 26 we read
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Then, after the Fall, in Genesis 3:22 we find
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (my emphasis)

As one consequence of their disoobedience, Adam and Eve acquired something additional to their likeness to God. Something they did not have before. And apparently they did not have immortality before their sin, otherwise there wouldn't have been any point having a tree of life in the garden, and God would not have determined that they should not live forever in their fallen state.

Adam and Eve were not omniscient, they were not omnipresent, they were not omnipotent, they did not have everlasting life either before or after the fall.

So in what way(s) were they created in God's own image?

In what ways. Certainly not our bodies. Our intellect (limited as it is), our free will (to love Him or not), our souls (an immortal spirit), self determination (unlike animals) are ways we reflect His Image.

Adding - Adam and Eve were made with a body and soul perfectly aligned within them and with God. Sin corrupted that alignment in them and created the corruption of that nature which we all inherit from our parents

 

[Dale]

In Genesis 1: 26 we read
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Then, after the Fall, in Genesis 3:22 we find
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (my emphasis)

As one consequence of their disoobedience, Adam and Eve acquired something additional to their likeness to God. Something they did not have before. And apparently they did not have immortality before their sin, otherwise there wouldn't have been any point having a tree of life in the garden, and God would not have determined that they should not live forever in their fallen state.

Adam and Eve were not omniscient, they were not omnipresent, they were not omnipotent, they did not have everlasting life either before or after the fall.

So in what way(s) were they created in God's own image?

Being made in the image of God means that human souls have free will.
That's a very important points.

 

[BroIgnatius]

Thanks again BroIgnatius, for taking the time to answer so specifically. And sorry for missreading your name.

I think what I reacted to in the catechism wording was "for its own sake." In your answer you rephrase it or put it "for his own sake."

I have always assumed that we, and all creation, were created "for him," not for ourselves. Is the catechism's wording intended to imply that our creation, as distinct from that of any other creature, was also for our sake? In the particular sense that through 'self-determination' (freedom to choose, free will if you like) and the gift of love (+++) we have a much greater role in shaping our own destiny and the nature of our relationship to God, to one another, and to the rest of creation.

We were and remain totally dependent on God for everything, even life itself. Do I get a hint here, that IF Adam and Eve had made a different choice, had deepened their relationship with God, they could have eventually have eaten of the tree of life, and become a little less directly dependent of God?

I'm not sure how worthwhile it is to pursuit the "what ifs" as we simply do not know. But a "what if" that sees a maturing Adam and Eve, an eventual permission to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil would also give an answer as to why the Tree of Life was there in the first place. I wonder, for example, if they had refused to fall for the serpent's argument, and instead had told God about it during that evening's "walk in the garden," God would have had an opportunity to explain 'good and evil' based on the day's encounter. They had not encountered evil before that moment, had never experienced the feeling we get "you don't realise what you have until you lose it." Their curiosity as just why God had warned them about the consequences would have been sparked a step by step God would lead them to deeper levels of relationship. We probably will never know.

back to the "for its own sake:" do you have a fuller explanation for the catechism's choice of word here?

Blessings!

Sorry to take for long to respond to you. It has been hectic here lately.

"for its own sake" is grammatically correct. "Creature" refers to all of God's creatures, which is all of the material universe -- animals, plants, rocks, salt, etc. When a priest blesses water and salt, the water and salt are called "creatures".

As I mentioned previously, man is the only creature created for his own sake, that is, created independently of the symbiotic relationship of all other creatures. Man was created for himself to love and serve God. We see this illustrated when Adam was given the authority to name all the creatures in the Garden because Man was given dominion over all things on earth.

Had Adam obeyed God, the relationship of mankind to God would have been a perfect one, similar to what it will be like in heaven. We will not be "independent," but in full communion and fellowship with the family of God. That is what the Garden would be like had Adam not sinned.

In that case, had Adam passed the test, there would not be the temptation any longer to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Just as it will be in heaven, no such temptation will be there.

Each of God's intelligent creatures, Angels and Man, must pass a test. The Angels were tested and 1/3 filed the test and were kicked out of heaven. Adam was tested in the Garden and failed the test resulting in the Original Sin and the fall of the world. Each man and woman is tested in this life. If we pass the test we go to heaven, if not we go to hell.

 

[Monna]

man is the only creature created for his own sake

Man was created for himself to love and serve God

Thanks for your patience BroIgnatius. My lack of English language skills continues to confuse me when reading your reply. The possessive pronoun 'his' and the reflexive (?) pronoun 'himself' especially in the latter case with the passive voice might refer to either God or man.

Perhaps if I rewrite the sentences without pronouns you can tell me what the correct meanings are:

'man is the only creature created for man's own sake' OR 'man is the only creature created for God's own sake.'

'Man was created for man (himself), to love and serve God' OR 'Man was created for God (himself), to love and serve God.' (Note: because of the substitution I have added a comma.)

Thanks in advance for your clarification.

 

[BroIgnatius]

Thanks for your patience BroIgnatius. My lack of English language skills continues to confuse me when reading your reply. The possessive pronoun 'his' and the reflexive (?) pronoun 'himself' especially in the latter case with the passive voice might refer to either God or man.

Perhaps if I rewrite the sentences without pronouns you can tell me what the correct meanings are:

'man is the only creature created for man's own sake' OR 'man is the only creature created for God's own sake.'

'Man was created for man (himself), to love and serve God' OR 'Man was created for God (himself), to love and serve God.' (Note: because of the substitution I have added a comma.)

Thanks in advance for your clarification.

God does not need us. He is complete as Himself. Thus, man is the only creature for man's own sake, and
man is created for man (himself) to love and serve God.

 

[Aman777]

In Genesis 1: 26 we read
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Jhn 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

God (The Trinity) is the invisible Spirit of Love and reveals Himself as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Son, YHWH or Jesus is the only incarnation or physical Image of the invisible Spirit. Col 1:15 Jesus IS the Light of the first Day. Gen 1:3

*** Then, after the Fall, in Genesis 3:22 we find
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (my emphasis)

Lord God/Jesus said, Adam has now become like one of the Trinity (Us) knowing both good and evil. This shows that Adam (mankind) has a mind in some ways like God's. It's the proof that we did not evolve from Apes but descended from Adam who was made with a mind like God's. Gen 3:22

*** As one consequence of their disoobedience, Adam and Eve acquired something additional to their likeness to God. Something they did not have before. And apparently they did not have immortality before their sin, otherwise there wouldn't have been any point having a tree of life in the garden, and God would not have determined that they should not live forever in their fallen state.

Adam and Eve were not omniscient, they were not omnipresent, they were not omnipotent, they did not have everlasting life either before or after the fall.

So in what way(s) were they created in God's own image?

Spiritually. It's the SAME with ALL mankind (Adam).

1Co 15:46 ¶ Howbeit that was not first which is Spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is Spiritual.

Adam and Eve (mankind) MUST be born again by the Trinity. Adam's regeneration happened along with Eve AFTER Cain killed Abel. Gen 5:1-2 Adam was "formed" by Lord God on the 3rd Day before the plants herbs and rain. Gen 2:4-7 Eve was NOT made until the 6th Day. Gen 2:22 BOTH were "created in God's Image" or in Christ Spiritually, AFTER the fall. God Bless you

 

[BroIgnatius]

*** Then, after the Fall, in Genesis 3:22 we find
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (my emphasis)

Lord God/Jesus said, Adam has now become like one of the Trinity (Us) knowing both good and evil. This shows that Adam (mankind) has a mind in some ways like God's. It's the proof that we did not evolve from Apes but descended from Adam who was made with a mind like God's. Gen 3:22

Actually, this is not proof that we did not evolve. This does not address that issue at all. Created in the image of God means that God imbued us with a rational soul (something animals do not have), which is immortal (also something animals do not have). This is the "mind" you speak of.

None of this addresses the physical body of Adam. Thus, theoretically, the body of homo sapiens could have evolved until such time that the physical body was at a certain state of development that God imbued that body with a rational soul. It is the rational soul that is the image of God, and that which makes us human (not our physical bodies per se).

Adam and Eve (mankind) MUST be born again by the Trinity. Adam's regeneration happened along with Eve AFTER Cain killed Abel. Gen 5:1-2 Adam was "formed" by Lord God on the 3rd Day before the plants herbs and rain. Gen 2:4-7 Eve was NOT made until the 6th Day. Gen 2:22 BOTH were "created in God's Image" or in Christ Spiritually, AFTER the fall. God Bless you

Mankind was created in God's image at the moment of his created. I do not know where you get the idea that this happened after the Fall. If that were true then Adam and Eve were nothing but intelligent ape, since with the "image of God", that is, the rational soul, Adam and Eve would have been mere animals.

In like manner of a novelty interpretation is that the regeneration of Adam and Eve took place after Cain killed Abel. This is a novel idea that is unheard of.

Adam was "formed" by Lord God on the 3rd Day

And, again, sir. This is a novel idea that violates Scripture. I think you need to re-read Genesis 1:26-31. Adam and Eve were both made on the Sixth Day.

 

[Aman777]

Actually, this is not proof that we did not evolve. This does not address that issue at all. Created in the image of God means that God imbued us with a rational soul (something animals do not have), which is immortal (also something animals do not have). This is the "mind" you speak of.

Amen. God the Trinity "creates" us in Christ Spiritually. It's the same in Gen 1:26 where God says "Let US make man in our image" and in John 14:16 which shows that when Jesus has seen that you have kept His commandments, He prays the Father, and the Father sends the Comforter or Holy Spirit into the New creation.

*** None of this addresses the physical body of Adam. Thus, theoretically, the body of homo sapiens could have evolved until such time that the physical body was at a certain state of development that God imbued that body with a rational soul. It is the rational soul that is the image of God, and that which makes us human (not our physical bodies per se).

False, since Adam was made physically the 3rd Day, BEFORE the plants, herbs, rain and trees, Gen 2:4-7 Keep reading and you will see that the TREES which grew on the 3rd Day Gen 1:12 were made AFTER Adam was made. Gen 2:8-9 Adam could NOT have evolved from ANY other living creature including Apes, since Adam was FIRST made.

*** Mankind was created in God's image at the moment of his created. I do not know where you get the idea that this happened after the Fall. If that were true then Adam and Eve were nothing but intelligent ape, since with the "image of God", that is, the rational soul, Adam and Eve would have been mere animals.

Not so since the fall changed Adam into a man of flesh instead of an eternal child of God. Gen 3:7 Adam lost his likeness as God, his Shekinah Glory, and became subject to darkness or death for the first time. AFTER Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve were "created" in God's Image by the Trinity. Gen 5:1-2

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Adam and Eve were born again Spiritually AFTER the fall. This made them immortal again and ALL Christians will be able to speak to our first parents in Heaven, thanks to Jesus.

*** In like manner of a novelty interpretation is that the regeneration of Adam and Eve took place after Cain killed Abel. This is a novel idea that is unheard of.

Gen 4:25 ¶ And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Adam was "formed' of the dust of the ground on the 3rd Day, by Lord God. Gen 2:4-7 Adam was "created" Spiritually in Christ AFTER Cain killed Abel by God the Trinity. Gen 5:1-2 Adam was NOT created Spiritually on the 3rd Day but on the 6th Day at the same time Eve was created Spiritually. Eve was NOT made from Adam's rib until the 6th Day Gen 2:22 refuting the idea that ALL of mankind is created Spiritually.

*** Cain killed Abel in Genesis 4

And, again, sir. This is a novel idea that violates Scripture. I think you need to re-read Genesis 1:26-31. Adam and Eve were both made on the Sixth Day.

I will be happy to post Gen 2:4-7 which shows that Adam was made on the 3rd Day before the plants, herbs, rain and trees or you can read it yourself. I prefer the King James Version. God Bless you

 

[Papias]

We are made in the image of God by God creating in us a rational soul. That is what makes us human.

This has nothing to do with physical form.

My understanding of this is that humans and only humans share some special qualities with our creator that no other life form on this planet does. We can appreciate beauty (or lack of it), music and the arts, consider where we came from and where we are going, make plans, experience extreme emotions like love and hate, gaze in wonder at the universe/creation and try to fathom its mysteries, study science, design and make complex machines, be aware of our mortality ...the list goes on and on.

We are called to share in God's own life. This is what gives us dignity that surpasses and is unique over animals.

In what ways. Certainly not our bodies. Our intellect (limited as it is), our free will (to love Him or not), our souls (an immortal spirit), self determination (unlike animals) are ways we reflect His Image.

Being made in the image of God means that human souls have free will.

None of this addresses the physical body of Adam. Thus, theoretically, the body of homo sapiens could have evolved until such time that the physical body was at a certain state of development that God imbued that body with a rational soul. It is the rational soul that is the image of God, and that which makes us human (not our physical bodies per se).

Right! It's so good to see so many great responses here. It's about our minds & will, and not about physical form which is "in the image of God".

Suggesting "the image of God" refers (even in part) to physical attributes immediately sets up the horrible materialistic view that those who are good looking are more Godlike, and those who are disabled, ugly, old, or otherwise not attractive are less Godlike. This enables bullying, discrimination, and ableism.

Sadly, I've seen Christians say that physically attractive people are more "in the image of God". We've already seen that twice on this thread, and here is another one posted yesterday, in post 71 on this other thread (How did mankind get its sin nature?).

I'm using our physical appearance as one of the measures God used as a reflection of Himself and His glory. The Bible says God made man in His image and in His likeness, and to rule over His creation.
Of course today there are many diseases and bad things that affect our appearance and physicality; some by our own consequence, and others passed down or a result of many other things. These shouldn't surprise us as we are living in a fallen state and in a fallen world.

As I wrote on that thread:

That's abhorrent. Would you tell the obese person or the accident victim that they aren't in the image of God? Do you rate everyone you see as to whether they are closer or farther from God based on appearance? ...

I hope I never see another creationist make this horrific and socially repulsive argument - but I know I will see that. I may even see you defend it, here.​

And here on this thread we see it too - the same condescension of people based on physical attractiveness. No wonder some people say that Christians are shallow and mean. Let's stop it, and show the love of Jesus to everyone equally, please.

In Christ-

Papias

 

[BroIgnatius]

Amen. God the Trinity "creates" us in Christ Spiritually. It's the same in Gen 1:26 where God says "Let US make man in our image" and in John 14:16 which shows that when Jesus has seen that you have kept His commandments, He prays the Father, and the Father sends the Comforter or Holy Spirit into the New creation.

*** None of this addresses the physical body of Adam. Thus, theoretically, the body of homo sapiens could have evolved until such time that the physical body was at a certain state of development that God imbued that body with a rational soul. It is the rational soul that is the image of God, and that which makes us human (not our physical bodies per se).

False, since Adam was made physically the 3rd Day, BEFORE the plants, herbs, rain and trees, Gen 2:4-7 Keep reading and you will see that the TREES which grew on the 3rd Day Gen 1:12 were made AFTER Adam was made. Gen 2:8-9 Adam could NOT have evolved from ANY other living creature including Apes, since Adam was FIRST made.

*** Mankind was created in God's image at the moment of his created. I do not know where you get the idea that this happened after the Fall. If that were true then Adam and Eve were nothing but intelligent ape, since with the "image of God", that is, the rational soul, Adam and Eve would have been mere animals.

Not so since the fall changed Adam into a man of flesh instead of an eternal child of God. Gen 3:7 Adam lost his likeness as God, his Shekinah Glory, and became subject to darkness or death for the first time. AFTER Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve were "created" in God's Image by the Trinity. Gen 5:1-2

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Adam and Eve were born again Spiritually AFTER the fall. This made them immortal again and ALL Christians will be able to speak to our first parents in Heaven, thanks to Jesus.

*** In like manner of a novelty interpretation is that the regeneration of Adam and Eve took place after Cain killed Abel. This is a novel idea that is unheard of.

Gen 4:25 ¶ And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Adam was "formed' of the dust of the ground on the 3rd Day, by Lord God. Gen 2:4-7 Adam was "created" Spiritually in Christ AFTER Cain killed Abel by God the Trinity. Gen 5:1-2 Adam was NOT created Spiritually on the 3rd Day but on the 6th Day at the same time Eve was created Spiritually. Eve was NOT made from Adam's rib until the 6th Day Gen 2:22 refuting the idea that ALL of mankind is created Spiritually.

*** Cain killed Abel in Genesis 4

And, again, sir. This is a novel idea that violates Scripture. I think you need to re-read Genesis 1:26-31. Adam and Eve were both made on the Sixth Day.

I will be happy to post Gen 2:4-7 which shows that Adam was made on the 3rd Day before the plants, herbs, rain and trees or you can read it yourself. I prefer the King James Version. God Bless you

Buddy, you can keep telling yourself this and pretending your unique and novel interpretation is correct, but it is not, but I am not surprised by this. Once people abandoned Christ's Church, the Catholic Church, there have been all sorts of weird interpretations. Today, there are over 42,000 Christian groups out there all claiming to interpret things correctly. Yah, right.

Your interpretation is the the most amazing of all. I know of no group that would claim you. Since you obviously haven't the slightest idea how to interpret Scripture, and by that essentially are saying God lied in Genesis 1 about the order of Creation, I will cease to talk to you.

 

[Aman777]

Buddy, you can keep telling yourself this and pretending your unique and novel interpretation is correct, but it is not, but I am not surprised by this. Once people abandoned Christ's Church, the Catholic Church, there have been all sorts of weird interpretations. Today, there are over 42,000 Christian groups out there all claiming to interpret things correctly. Yah, right.

Your interpretation is the the most amazing of all. I know of no group that would claim you. Since you obviously haven't the slightest idea how to interpret Scripture, and by that essentially are saying God lied in Genesis 1 about the order of Creation, I will cease to talk to you.

I am a member of the catholic/universal Church BUT I prefer what is actually written instead of the theology of ancient men who God told us could NOT understand His Holy Word. I've discovered that the first 34 verses of Genesis tell the complete HISTORY of God's Creation including future events at the end of the present 6th Day, the Day of Salvation.

I have NO interest in those who favor a man made religion's unsupportable and changeable view above God's Word. I instead seek the agreement of Scripture Science and History. I realize that that is too high a standard for denominations who cannot support their views with Scripture. God Bless you

 

[DrBubbaLove]

I am a member of the catholic/universal Church BUT I prefer what is actually written instead of the theology of ancient men who God told us could NOT understand His Holy Word. I've discovered that the first 34 verses of Genesis tell the complete HISTORY of God's Creation including future events at the end of the present 6th Day, the Day of Salvation.

I have NO interest in those who favor a man made religion's unsupportable and changeable view above God's Word. I instead seek the agreement of Scripture Science and History. I realize that that is too high a standard for denominations who cannot support their views with Scripture. God Bless you

And how as a Baptist is this view different from Seventh day Adventism

 

[BroIgnatius]

And how as a Baptist is this view different from Seventh day Adventism

Ah, I never thought about the Seventh Day Adventist. All I knew that is guy was certainly not expressing a Baptist view. It all makes since now.

BTW, I use to be a Southern Baptist, and Baptist Clergy, before coming home to Christ's own Church

 

[Aman777]

And how as a Baptist is this view different from Seventh day Adventism

All Christians are people who have been born again Spiritually by the Trinity. Romans 8:9 All of them are members of the Body of Christ or Universal Church. Denominations make no difference but accomplish God's wishes that ONLY by the gift of Faith can one become an eternal being. Christians come from all groups. God Bless you

 

[Aman777]

Ah, I never thought about the Seventh Day Adventist. All I knew that is guy was certainly not expressing a Baptist view. It all makes since now.

BTW, I use to be a Southern Baptist, and Baptist Clergy, before coming home to Christ's own Church

Can you tell us HOW to get to heaven?

 

[DrBubbaLove]

Ah, I never thought about the Seventh Day Adventist. All I knew that is guy was certainly not expressing a Baptist view. It all makes since now.

BTW, I use to be a Southern Baptist, and Baptist Clergy, before coming home to Christ's own Church

The idea of mysteries not understood by early Christians and perhaps no one until modern era seems fundamental in the idea of "days" promoted by man Adventists. The Baptist quoted mentioned a "6th day" and I wondered how that viewed from the Adventist concept of days.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

All Christians are people who have been born again Spiritually by the Trinity. Romans 8:9 All of them are members of the Body of Christ or Universal Church. Denominations make no difference but accomplish God's wishes that ONLY by the gift of Faith can one become an eternal being. Christians come from all groups. God Bless you

The post being replied to was asking another poster to explain further the idea of "days" which I see as prevalent in many Adventist explanations of how we are to "understand" Scripture. I was not questioning anyone's Christianity. Rather odd to imagine a Catholic convert from a Baptist would be making such a claim toward a Baptist.

 

[Aman777]

The idea of mysteries not understood by early Christians and perhaps no one until modern era seems fundamental in the idea of "days" promoted by man Adventists. The Baptist quoted mentioned a "6th day" and I wondered how that viewed from the Adventist concept of days.

I don't know since I'm not an Adventist. They don't seem to like me since I show them that Today remains the 6th Day since God is STILL creating Adam (mankind) in His Image, which is in Christ Spiritually. Gen 1:27 We will not advance to the Prophecy of Gen 1:28-31 until AFTER Jesus returns at Armageddon.

Then, Christians will have dominion or rule over mosquitoes, viruses and Angels and Jesus will change bears, lions, and every other living creature into Vegetarians. Gen 1:30 and Isaiah 11:7

 

[DrBubbaLove]

I don't know since I'm not an Adventist. They don't seem to like me since I show them that Today remains the 6th Day since God is STILL creating Adam (mankind) in His Image, which is in Christ Spiritually. Gen 1:27 We will not advance to the Prophecy of Gen 1:28-31 until AFTER Jesus returns at Armageddon.

Then, Christians will have dominion or rule over mosquitoes, viruses and Angels and Jesus will change bears, lions, and every other living creature into Vegetarians. Gen 1:30 and Isaiah 11:7

Asking how the view expressed about what "day" it is today is different from Adventism does not mean I think Baptist or the poster are Adventist.
I can agree Adventist would not like being told they are wrong.