Genesis: The Beginning 2

The Image of God and the Fall of Man

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after 0ur likeness.

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? The “image and likeness of God” (Gen 1:26) describes the special status of the human race, male and female, as God’s representatives in the created order.

Most theologians interpreted the “image” as the rational faculty of the human soul which makes it possible for us to think in the way God thinks. Augustine (354–430) developed this further and claimed that the image of God is a reflection of the Trinity, the human mind consisting of memory, intellect, and will, all of which are necessary for it to function properly but each of which is distinct from the others. In this scheme, fallen human beings retain their rational faculties but lose their “likeness” to God, their proper relationship to God, one another, and the rest of the created order.

Only humans have a spiritual capacity that makes us moral creatures, who can know and worship God. Only humans have a moral consciousness, and the ability to know God. Humanity is set apart from the rest of creation. We are made for work, action, communication, and reflection. We have a spirit/soul that will survive our physical death.

Animals are on a different level. It is acceptable to God to eat animals, but not humans. They are made to glorify God, but in a different way. Animals do not sin, they do not make moral choices. They do not reason like man. They do not ponder the meaning of the hole they just dug, and birds do not fly around pondering the ways of God or the reasons for their flying. They glorify God, but they do not know that they are doing so.

2. Has the “likeness” or “image” been taken away completely?

The Bible assumes that the image/likeness of God is retained despite the fall, sin, and corruption. Murder is prohibited because all people bear God’s image (Gen 9:6). In the New Testament the same motive is given for avoiding slander (Jas 3:9). Fallen human beings retain the image/likeness of God but use it in order to further their rebellion against him. What should have been our greatest glory has instead become our deepest shame. We have not been reduced to the state of animals (which would have been the case had the image been removed), but our rebellion against God has made us guilty of abusing the great gift and influence that he has given to us.

3. Was Adam, Eve, or both made in the likeness of God?

Both male and female are created in the divine image, making them equal to one another. They were both visible representatives of God in creation. God made them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. They both have the same value and worth. They both are known by God and are created to know God in a “personal” way. They were both made to rule over creation, to have dominion over it.

Isaiah 43:7 “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.””

4. Therefore, since we are created for the glory of God… How shall we live? 1 Cor. 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We live for God and His purposes. What shall our will be? God’s will. How shall we experience God’s presence? To be without separation, and to have a mind and a heart that is filled with God, so that our intentions, motivations, attitude and behavior can reflect God.

What is our purpose in life? To fulfill the reason we are created: To glorify God. What is the chief end of man: To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

5. But, how is this possible if everyone has “fallen” short?

The beginning of sin, death, confusion, despair, disorder, dysfunction, rebellion, selfish ambition, and all other problems starts here… in the beginning, in a garden.

Romans 5:12 - Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

Original sin is the doctrine that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all mankind are sinners by nature, having a propensity to sin that underlies every actual sin.

Scripture emphasizes repeatedly the universality of human sin. God brought a flood upon the world because of the universality of human sin, which extended even to Noah and his family, who were spared.

The only explanation for this universality is that, underlying every individual sin is a propensity to sin that affects all mankind. While man has a will and the responsibility for action that comes with it, his will is influenced and shaped by his heart. From the heart of man proceed all types of evil (Mark 7:21–23). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jer 17:9).As a result, human beings can even be described as enslaved to sin (Rom 6:6) and unable to please God (Rom 8:8). In the New Testament, sinners are described as dead in sin, not only lacking freedom, but even life (Eph 2:1). But this slavery cannot be the sort of slavery that removes responsibility from individuals; we are willing slaves.This universal reign of sin is presented in Scripture as the result of Adam’s first sin (Rom 5:12). This means that original sin is not the original state of mankind but instead a departure from that origin.

God created man righteous and good. His nature was not bound to sin, at first. Adam’s first act of disobedience affected not only him but also all mankind.

But God...