[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

Here’s a thought: Humans are NOT created in God’s image. Consider this, from Gen 5:

1) This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2) Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3) When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

See the difference between those who were created in God’s image (Adam and Eve) and those created in the image of their earthly (fallen) parents (all who follow Adam and Eve)? Once Adam and Eve fell, they were sinful people who could not pass on the “image of God”. When the One Who is the perfect image of God (the Lord Jesus) came, He brought back to Earth the image of God. All who are born again in Christ are created as new creatures in the image of God.

Sinful reprobates (Romans chapter 1) are not created in the image of God. Sinful people who are apathetic towards God are not created in His image. Until saved, we are His enemies (Romans 5) and not “in His image”. But once born again, we are new (2 Cor 5) and bear His image (the Spirit of the living God) within our soul.

[stfassisi]

Basically, I think what you’re saying is that every human created after Adam and Eve was not created by God,they were created by Adam who has replaced God’s power to create due to sin?

This heretical idea would mean that God did not will anyone else after Adam and Eve,thus making Adam the creator of every human soul after original sin.

Do you believe this,or do you believe that God willed us?

[kosta50]

I am posting your whole post for lurkers and for context.

Here’s a thought: Humans are NOT created in God’s image. Consider this, from Gen 5:

1) This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2) Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3) When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

See the difference between those who were created in God’s image (Adam and Eve) and those created in the image of their earthly (fallen) parents (all who follow Adam and Eve)? Once Adam and Eve fell, they were sinful people who could not pass on the “image of God”. When the One Who is the perfect image of God (the Lord Jesus) came, He brought back to Earth the image of God. All who are born again in Christ are created as new creatures in the image of God.

Sinful reprobates (Romans chapter 1) are not created in the image of God. Sinful people who are apathetic towards God are not created in His image. Until saved, we are His enemies (Romans 5) and not “in His image”. But once born again, we are new (2 Cor 5) and bear His image (the Spirit of the living God) within our soul.

The correct meaning is to be found in the finesse, in the context of the language in whcih it was written. The Apostles used the Septuagint in over 93% of their references to the Old Testament, and wrote the New Testament in Greek. It is therefore not in English, but in Greek that the finesse lies.

The Church understood the difference between an image and likeness from the beginning and never considered them to be one and the same, because they are very distinct concepts in the language of the Bible.

We are created in God's image, as sovereigns on earth, as "top dogs." But God also created man in His likeness, which was lost in the Fall.

The image (Greek eikona, an icon) is a symbol, not to be confused with the object itself.  The likeness (Greek homoios) clearly means more than a symbol; it is an actual similitude in quality and not simply an abstract representation.

Thus, while an icon (image) of Christ is merely a symbolic representation of our Lord, a person who is Chirst-like exhibits qualities and characteristics that are like those of Christ Himself; in other words that man is transformed, or restored (to a degree) to man's original state through grace. It is through these individuals  that we see less of them and more of Christ. 

This distinction is completely lost in English, with image and likeness being practically synonymous and naturally confused as one and the same thing. If this were true, then Gen 1:26 would be redundant.   

[Quix]

Interesting points.

Thanks.