...at everything He had created and saw that it was perfect (Genesis 1:1, 31). All of God’s creation worked together in perfect harmony. Why, then, is the world not perfect today? In the beginning of the world, mankind fell from perfection and God made a plan to restore perfection. All of God’s creation was perfect. Man was perfect because “God created man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). Adam, the first man, was alone, so God created a woman, Eve, from one of Adam’s ribs. Eve was the perfect companion for Adam. Because the world was free of sin, Adam and Eve knew nothing of evil. In order to give them the choice to experience sin, God put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden. He told them not to eat the fruit of the tree; if they did, they would surely die. In this perfect world, Satan waited in the tree of knowledge of good and evil disguised as a serpent. Satan started up a conversation with Eve, questioning the rules God had made. Eve told Satan that if she ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, she would die. Satan tempted her with a lie by saying, “You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4, 5). Because she wanted to be like God, she was willing to believe the lie. She ate the fruit and gave the fruit to Adam, who ate it as well. When confronted by God, they tried...
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...Orc? --- Genesis & Human Nature” When you think of our origin you think of questions such as “who created me?” and “where did I come from?”. Through God and the bible it is revealed to us that God is our creator and it is God who created us in his original design. Through original design Adam was created and it is Adam who our fall of grace comes from. It is from Adam that original sin comes from. But, God sent his only son to die for us to cleanse sin. The Genesis accounts of creation in Gen 1-3 shed light on the mystery of human nature. They figuratively reveal our original design, our fall from grace, and hint at our salvation in Christ. The first person created through original design, holiness, and justice is Adam. From Adam...
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...The consequences of sin were devastating, not only for Adam and Eve but also for the entire human race. The sad story of human history is replete with numerous examples of sin’s repercussions: wars, genocide, human sex trafficking, slavery, racism, and injustice to name just a few. Different philosophies and worldviews attempt to explain the presence of evil in the world with some, despite the evidence, even denying evil exists. Only the Christian worldview adequately explains such iniquity: sin. Although the Bible does not reveal the origin of sin (Zuck, 1991, p. 18), the first twelve chapters Genesis not only describe the entrance of sin into the world and trace its development, they also hint at the nature of sin, its consequences, and the solution to sin. The Progression of Sin The consequence of sin, death, manifests itself the moment Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Bartholomew and Goheen (2009) recognize that on the surface, Adam and Eve do not immediately die. Or do they? The physical life of Adam and Eve does not stop in the instant they taste the fruit: this isn’t the poison apple of the fairy tale. But something deep inside them and between them does die. Their sense of themselves and their...
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...After reading through Genesis 1-11, it become apparent that the natural world was created by the all might God for man to enjoy, and throughout history, mankind has an inclination to stray from God’s plan to follow their own. This straying would inevitably result in man’s depravity and consequences from God himself. From the start of Genesis we see a progression of mankind’s morality drifting further and further from God. Man strays so far down the path of evil that God Himself regrets the world he created (Genesis 6:6-7). Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s first commandment, His creation has been plunged into darkness, and the natural order of the world has been turned upside down. When one reads through the first eleven chapters of...
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...God has chosen certain individuals for duties and missions in his name. The interpersonal relationships God has with these select few affects one’s understanding of who he is. Also, his persona wavers from person to person, revealing parts of himself through his actions and emotions. At first God is as an all-powerful creator, an artist designing the world. However, he has a different, fatherly side to him when he creates Adam and Eve. He is happy, content and even hurt and betrayed. God also goes through period of wrath and anger as he copes with the disobedience of man. He slowly changes, and begins to transform with other characters as he starts to have empathy and understand them. Most importantly, he begins to evolve with humans as the timeline progresses. Before learning about God through his relationships with humans, it is necessary understand who he was before humans existed. The bible begins by saying, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The immensity of these ten words pulls one into the abrupt beginning of life, and who it is that created it. The very first characteristic stated about him in Genesis is that he is a creator. He has formed the heavens and the earth for mankind to flourish upon. Much can be learned about him through his process of creation. First, God is a god of order. He created life in a matter of six days with specific designs for each day. For example, he made light and firmament on the first two, while creating humans on the...
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.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Introduction……………………….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Beginning…………………………………………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Views ………….……………………… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Original Image……………………… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 God’s Image In Woman…………………………………….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Conclusion…… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Bibliography……. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 THESIS STATEMENT Instead of dividing the human race into characteristics, one must recognize that the whole essence of the human being is the exact image and likeness of God. INTRODUCTION There are several biblical questions, From Christology, "What think ye of Christ?” From Soteriology "What must I do to be saved?" and From Eschatology "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"...
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...Biblical World View I just turned 44 years old a few days back and as I think back to my earliest memory, I believe I established my Biblical Worldview early on in my life. Studying the bible and taking new courses on Christianity help solidify my core beliefs. Genesis 1-11 sets the base for biblical truth for the teaching of the natural word, human identity, human relationships, and civilization. I have came to the conclusion years ago that Christians know how they are supposed to view the world. However, the Christian communities and the family unit have failed at helping each other live as Christians should live. When non-Christians see Christian they general can’t tell the difference. We Christians have the worst habit of kicking another Christian when he or she fails. We gossip just like non-believers do. We yell when we are not being treated in a Christ-like manner, but see no issues when our tongue persecutes another. Human nature is such a complicated thing to understand why we do what we do. I believe we have truly lost site on what we believe and how to live it. Don’t think for a minute that I’m excluding myself. Oh, how I wish I had lived better and pray that I try to do better as I move forward with life. All I know to do is pray and ask for forgiveness. During my childhood, it was always presented that God created the natural world in six literal days. In II Peter 3:8 NIV which reads, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends, With the Lord a day is...
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... There are five important questions that are addressed when identifying our worldview. The questions include our origin, identity, meaning and purpose, morality, and destiny. Christians have a definite and absolute answer for each of these questions that can be supported by the bible. These truths will inspire our perspective and provide us with reliable answers to carry out the purpose for our life. The first question in the Christian worldview concerns origin. How did life begin and how did mankind come into existence? Christians believe that God spoke the world into existence, and creation began from nothing. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2014) In six days, God created everything (including mankind), and He created man in His image. (Genesis 1:27) Creation of man began with Adam. God created him from the dust of the earth. He breathed the breath of life in his nostrils, and Adam became alive. (Genesis 2:7) Mankind is unique and special to God because He created us with abilities that set us apart from all other living things. The second question is regarding identity. What does it mean to be human and are humans more important...
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...Judaism’s Rejection of the Original Sin In the bible, the story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis serves as scriptural evidence of humankind’s first transgression of God’s command resulting in the expulsion from paradise. Christians claim that humans are tainted from the fall and many scholars reinforce the idea of a recovery narrative, which depicts the bible as following a pattern of decline and recovery, thereby reinforcing the belief that something was once lost and must be recovered. After mankind’s fall from the state of perfection, Christians believed that Jesus was their savior and would consequently sacrifice himself in order to redeem man. Through the act of disobedience in Genesis emerged the concept of the original sin, which stipulates that humans are born sinners and that sins pass from parent to child as an inherited characteristic. Jewish believers, however, often criticize this notion and although they acknowledge that the human race came under the dominion of sin, which would affect their subsequent environment, Judaism, unlike Christianity denies that man is born into this world in a state of sin. Judaism affirms that the act of sinning is not part of the human condition but rather represents a conflict between two opposing inclinations (a good and an evil tendency) and that man has the ability to resist sin and can overcome the evil inclination by willing himself to become a righteous person. Therefore, Jewish people believe that man is inherently...
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...parties, homosexual activities, parades or whatever, sex is the vehicle that attracts interest. It has even encroached into children's cartoons, books, magazines and videos! "Living in sin" is now par for the course. People refer, not to husbands or wives, but to "significant others." They speak of "satellite relationships" rather than affairs. Perversions have been downgraded to "personal sexual expressions." What was once shameful is now acceptable. Why is sex promoted so extensively? Because sin is pleasurable, and sex sins are particularly so. Moses chose to forego the "passing pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:25) for a greater ultimate reward and pleasure. Unaware of their glorious potential, the people of this world are busy "serving various lusts and pleasures" (Titus 3:3). Though we may not engage in sex sins, this barrage of innuendo and flagrant sensuality can leave us very jaded. Such an assault can deaden our resistance. We can find ourselves losing sight of God's purpose for the seventh commandment and...
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...202-B17 Hamartiology: The Problem of Evil (Theodicy) You would have to ask yourself, why does a God who is all-loving and all-powerful, allow evil to exist in a world that was divinely created by Him? Because when you ponder the problem of evil, it is the most obvious and serious challenge to belief (Faith) in God and His existence, which is why religious scholars have dedicated so much effort towards resolving it. Elwell states, “The phrase ‘the problem of evil’ is a label for a series of such problems involving good and evil.”[1] But the problem with evil is if an omnipotent and omniscient God exists, then there should be no reason God would tolerate such pain and suffering. Evil acts, thoughts, and words will always separate us from God, which was established from the beginning with Adam and Eve. Isaiah 59:2 says “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”[2] This is the only thing that separates us from God and causes Him to turn His face away from men. However, evil would have never existed had Adam and Eve not sinned and opened the door for it to enter the world upon all men (Romans 5:12).[3] The resolution then is to be united back to God, who is the source of eternal life, through His Son Jesus, (1 Jn.5:20; Jn.17:2-3). The biggest problem today, among believers and non-believers, is that they are blinded to what evil is and what it does (2 Cor.4:4). And according to Elwell,...
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...Judgment (1970) it was translated as “worldview” in the 19th century, as Weltanschauung described as “our intuition of the world.” (pg. 50) as stated in Consider by Dr. Weider& Gutierrez. Like a telescope; a representation of our perspective on life. II. 1. The Question of Origin – For any Theists, those who believe God was the actual creator and shares intimate relationship with those created in his image, Genesis 1:1 defines of how the world originated in the Christian worldview in Consider by Weider & Guttierrez (pg.56). In that first chapter of Genesis it explains in detail of those six days of all that God created. Like (Dr.) Weider& Gutierrez take from scripture in Pslams 139:13 David himself declares the existence of God as the One true Creator of this universe because of all that God had revealed to David; his faith in God was strong. 2. The Question of Identity – As Christians Theists view God as the Eternal One that created mankind other than Gods angels. Pslam 8:5 explains this as Gods children being so special they were created in Gods image and just beneath His angels. Genesis 2:5 explains the responsibility God gave over His children for all of His Creation. It even explains the animals and the earth were not to be worshipped but taken care of whilst being thankful for what God provided for His children. 3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose – For Naturalists and Panthesists, notice there is not an exact explanation as to why...
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...Define what the term “worldview” means. From the German word Weltanschauung, worldview is the term for how we see the world. While each individual has their own personal worldview in regards to many aspects of life including, but not limited to relationships, cultures, death, life, religion, faith, It is a person's philosophy of life, the framework for how they make their decisions, and a filter through which they see the world around them. (Gutierrez & Weider, 2013) The Question of Origin The question of our origin has been asked for many years, in many ways. Each worldview offers it's own answers to these questions. In the Christian Worldview the answer to many of these questions can be found in Genesis. We often wonder how the Earth came to be, and as Christians we believe that God created the Heavens and the Earths (Genesis 1:1). When the question of were we as humans came from, we as Christians know that God created mankind in his image (Genesis 1:27) with Adam and Eve, from who we are all descended (Genesis 1:28). The Question of Identity We often wonder what does it mean to be human, are humans the superior beings, and the bible offers us many answers to these questions. We know that we were created in God's likeness (Genesis 1:27) and we know that we were given authority and reign over the Earth (Genesis 28-30), including tending to the livestock and plant life that were created for our use. We also know that we are chosen (Peter 2:9) to be saved, and being...
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...(Summer 2014) Systematic Theology I By Matthew Dumler (26110162) August 15th, 2014 Contents Introduction 1 Gap Theory 1:1 and 1:2 2 Gap Theory Chapters 2 and 3 5 Before Creation 8 Conclusion 10 Introduction Before Genesis 1:1 God created the heaven of heavens (Nehemiah 9:6) with angels so numerous no one could count (Revelation 5:11). One of God’s most cherished creations, Lucifer, was placed in charge of guarding his royal thrown (Ezekiel 28:12-16). One day Lucifer took pride in his own beauty and his heart was filled with pride (Ezekiel 28:17). He began to think highly of himself and began to think wrongly of God. He began to take what rightfully belonged to God and began to put himself in God’s place. For the first time in all creation, one of his own had sinned against him. God judged him accordingly and placed him in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41). The sacred scriptures tell us that after the fall, Lucifer was thereafter known as the Devil or the accuser. One question that remains to be answered is this: when did this event occur? Some theologians claim that Satan’s fall occurred before Genesis 1:1. Others contend that there was a gap that took place between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Yet others make the claim that Lucifer’s fall took place between Genesis 2 and Genesis 3. Little scriptural evidence exists to answer the question of when the fall happened. Some suggest the silence of scripture on...
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...every time it’s taken off the shelf. This paper seeks to study this maiden work of fiction by Arundhati Roy as a parable of the original sin depicted in Milton’s Paradise Lost. Like the biblical tale of man’s first disobedience, Roy’s fiction also acquaints the readers with characters who disobey the perennial ‘love laws’ and suffer...
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