[betty boop]

So far as genesis contradictions, without going into any detail at all, our sister, Alamo, still has my favorite take on the happenings in early Genesis.

Oh, please do reprise her general take on Genesis for us here, dear brother in Christ!

I believe I have some understanding of Alamo-Girl's take on Genesis matters. Basically, it boils down to differentiating between the spiritual creation of Genesis 1, and the subsequent physical creation of Genesis 2 -- which really doesn't qualify as a "separate" creation at all; for it is merely the "outplay" or "material" instantiation of the Word of the spiritual creation, which is physical creation's ultimate and eternally abiding cause.

If indeed this is how my dearest sister in Christ sees this (I really dislike speaking "for" her), then all I can say is: I am entirely persuaded that her understanding is TRUE in all respects. By the Grace of God....

Or did you mean by your remarks to refer me to A-G's take on Genesis 1 exclusively? I.e., as when you said "the happenings in early Genesis?"

[TXnMA]

Are you sure that A-G describes the creation of mankind in Genesis 1 as "spiritual" -- and the (special) creation of Adam & Eve in Genesis 2 as "physical"?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Please re-check that order! IIRC, that is not what we have discussed in the past, at all!! (Does "ensoulment" of Adam & Eve sound familiar...?)

If that ("spiritual" then "physical") order is correct for both of you, then we are diametrically opposed in our beliefs re the creation of mankind.

I am working offline on an extensive, graphical testimony as to why I believe that it was Genesis 2 that described the creation of Mankind in the ("spiritual") image and likeness of God [Spirit].

~~~~~~~~~~~

Much work to do; more later...

[xzins]

I hesitate to speak for Alamo. She is much smarter than I am, and she is far more guided by the Spirit in this understanding than am I.

I cannot look up all of her many explanations, but here is a concise one: (Found at:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2288826/replies?c=16

To: xzins

I think that is an perfectly fine way of putting it, dear brother in Christ!

My central point is that the tree of life is in the midst of the garden of Eden and also in the midst of Paradise.

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. – Genesis 2:9

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. – Revelation 2:7

And that the first three chapters of Genesis are not speaking only of the physical Creation but all of it:

These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground. – Genesis 2:4-5

So whereas I perceive that Adam was created in/for the non-physical realm (whether we call it heaven or spiritual realm) - I can also see where Eden/Paradise can be perceived as an intersection between the two like the Temple, Tabernacle, Ark, Holy Mountain, you and me.

16 posted on 07/09/2009 9:44:16 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl

[Alamo-Girl]

I think that is an perfectly fine way of putting it, dear brother in Christ!

My central point is that the tree of life is in the midst of the garden of Eden and also in the midst of Paradise.

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. – Genesis 2:9

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. – Revelation 2:7

And that the first three chapters of Genesis are not speaking only of the physical Creation but all of it:

These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground. – Genesis 2:4-5

So whereas I perceive that Adam was created in/for the non-physical realm (whether we call it heaven or spiritual realm) - I can also see where Eden/Paradise can be perceived as an intersection between the two like the Temple, Tabernacle, Ark, Holy Mountain, you and me.