I believe there were humans set upon the world in more than one place and if there was a literal Adam and Eve, then they were the guardians of our race, the special ones created specially to guard the trees. Just as Christ was born specially in order to restore Eden's promise.
I come to this due to the problematic existence of Cain's mysterious wife. And yes I'm aware people try to write her off as being Cain's sister 650 years removed or whatever that the Bible just didn't see fit to tell us about. Whatever.
Of course if it turns out there was only one Adam and Eve and all people came from them that's not going to destroy my worldview.
The Kabbalists who follow Isaac Luria believe roughly that all human souls were pre-existent within Adam. He was not the founder of the human race but the entire human race. While there are problems with the theory I need to ponder, I still find it an intriguing thought.
I believe that God created the components necessary for the evolution of life on earth.
At some stage in human evolution, God breathed souls into us, making us in His image.
The story in Genesis of the Fall of Man is not a literal, but its function is still to teach us about how man falls from grace and why he needs salvation.
christianblog has put it very well. I'd add that I don't "believe in" evolution. I accept it as the best explanation for the diversity of life on earth, supported by several independent lines of evidence.
I don't think being made in God's image means that God is a physical being like us. We are spiritually in God's image. I believe that God is behind evolution and always knew that it would result in creatures who were capable of seeking Him out.
Dr Francis Collins, the director of the human genome project is a Christian who believes evolution is God's way of creating. He wrote "The Language of God" There's an interview with him here, where he discusses his faith and how he sees Genesis.
I'm pleased to see you don't think it's a problem if some of us see the first few chapters of Genesis as allegorical. I've met Christians who practically make a literal acceptance of it part of the Gospel. My cousin tells me I'm blind and deceived by Satan. That makes conversations with him difficult, which is a shame, as we are both Christians.
Thank you for expressing some agreement with me Lila, but I'm a bit concerned, because viewing your userpics, it looks like you are a West Ham Supporter, and as an Arsenal fan (eg: football aristocrat and top of the league by 5 points) I fear for your eternal soul.
What, 'ol Minto is a Gooner? I always thought he was the right sort. Not that today was very good for us - the worst Arsenal performance I've seen in years. The problem with someone being a West Ham supporter is... I always think of Alf Garnett...
I think evolution is the best explanation for our existence, and the existence of life in general.
I personally disagree with this because I feel it shows no deep connection between man and God versus any other creature, but that is just my opinion.I question your assumption that other creatures are not deeply connected with God. I think it's very likely that they are, and that our evolutionary ancestors were, in their way. Just because they can't tell us about it, and just because we don't see the connection, doesn't mean it isn't there
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The reason I feel that a strict evolution has no connection with God is because if it were true, I think things would fall apart. The creator would not have desired to share our love with us, would not see any need to send us redemption later on. Why would he want to do this for a species that essentially won the natural selection lottery? I also base our important connection with God versus other life on the lines of the Gospel where Jesus flat-out says we're more important than the lilies of the field or the birds of the air. Jesus does acknowledge that God provides for them, most definitely.
But I definitely don't disagree with what you say about Adam and Eve. It is way more important to realize that we are all sinners in some way and that we need to care for each other and seek Christ.
The creator would not have desired to share our love with us, would not see any need to send us redemption later on.
Hmmm. Not sure I agree with this, but it's an interesting point.
I also base our important connection with God versus other life on the lines of the Gospel where Jesus flat-out says we're more important than the lilies of the field or the birds of the air.
But doesn't this line of thinking encourage an exploitive mentality? That the earth and the animals are there for us to use, so it doesn't matter if we destroy the earth or abuse the animals? Not that you necessarily think that way, but you see what I'm getting at, right?
It could be said that we (human beings) are better prepared to receive the messages of God and Jesus, but I do think animals have some sort of spiritual connection to God as well.
Jesus does acknowledge that God provides for them, most definitely.
*nod* He is truly a great and wondrous God.
It is way more important to realize that we are
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I come to this due to the problematic existence of Cain's mysterious wife. And yes I'm aware people try to write her off as being Cain's sister 650 years removed or whatever that the Bible just didn't see fit to tell us about. Whatever.
Of course if it turns out there was only one Adam and Eve and all people came from them that's not going to destroy my worldview.
The Kabbalists who follow Isaac Luria believe roughly that all human souls were pre-existent within Adam. He was not the founder of the human race but the entire human race. While there are problems with the theory I need to ponder, I still find it an intriguing thought.
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I come to this due to the problematic existence of Cain's mysterious wife.
Didn't she come from the land of Nod? *shrug*
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did come from Nod, then there were humans outside the Garden. I see.
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At some stage in human evolution, God breathed souls into us, making us in His image.
The story in Genesis of the Fall of Man is not a literal, but its function is still to teach us about how man falls from grace and why he needs salvation.
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I don't think being made in God's image means that God is a physical being like us. We are spiritually in God's image. I believe that God is behind evolution and always knew that it would result in creatures who were capable of seeking Him out.
Dr Francis Collins, the director of the human genome project is a Christian who believes evolution is God's way of creating. He wrote "The Language of God" There's an interview with him here, where he discusses his faith and how he sees Genesis.
I'm pleased to see you don't think it's a problem if some of us see the first few chapters of Genesis as allegorical. I've met Christians who practically make a literal acceptance of it part of the Gospel. My cousin tells me I'm blind and deceived by Satan. That makes conversations with him difficult, which is a shame, as we are both Christians.
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I personally disagree with this because I feel it shows no deep connection between man and God versus any other creature, but that is just my opinion.I question your assumption that other creatures are not deeply connected with God. I think it's very likely that they are, and that our evolutionary ancestors were, in their way. Just because they can't tell us about it, and just because we don't see the connection, doesn't mean it isn't there ( ... )
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The reason I feel that a strict evolution has no connection with God is because if it were true, I think things would fall apart. The creator would not have desired to share our love with us, would not see any need to send us redemption later on. Why would he want to do this for a species that essentially won the natural selection lottery? I also base our important connection with God versus other life on the lines of the Gospel where Jesus flat-out says we're more important than the lilies of the field or the birds of the air. Jesus does acknowledge that God provides for them, most definitely.
But I definitely don't disagree with what you say about Adam and Eve. It is way more important to realize that we are all sinners in some way and that we need to care for each other and seek Christ.
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Thanks for your input.
You're most welcome! :)
The creator would not have desired to share our love with us, would not see any need to send us redemption later on.
Hmmm. Not sure I agree with this, but it's an interesting point.
I also base our important connection with God versus other life on the lines of the Gospel where Jesus flat-out says we're more important than the lilies of the field or the birds of the air.
But doesn't this line of thinking encourage an exploitive mentality? That the earth and the animals are there for us to use, so it doesn't matter if we destroy the earth or abuse the animals? Not that you necessarily think that way, but you see what I'm getting at, right?
It could be said that we (human beings) are better prepared to receive the messages of God and Jesus, but I do think animals have some sort of spiritual connection to God as well.
Jesus does acknowledge that God provides for them, most definitely.
*nod* He is truly a great and wondrous God.
It is way more important to realize that we are ( ... )
Reply
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