Tha nature of humankind and the image of God

[NickolaosPappas (Nick)]

@Christy

Most scholars agree that in the ancient Near East, “image” meant a visible representative of authority. Images of gods and kings (who were considered the embodiment or representatives of gods) were placed in temples and other public places to remind everyone who ruled the region. With the idea of humanity bearing God’s image and God resting in Genesis 1 there are allusions to the idea that the whole world is God’s temple/domain and that he has placed his image (humans) in it to represent him and remind people of his reign. It does speak to the intrinsic worth of humans, because in the ancient context, if someone disrespects or mistreats an image, it is the equivalent of disrespecting or mistreating the god or king.

Which basically justifies my views . Since we disrespect our own image.

[NickolaosPappas (Nick)]

@mitchellmckain

would only add that this is not something we do on our own by our own power and ability but only with God’s help in a relationship with Him.

It’s pointless though. That’s why I don’t agree with the answer Michael gives.

@Michael

It is our duty to seek the true nature of our sin, to identify it and to bring it into form and then to ultimately destroy it.

We cannot do that. No one is unable to “destroy his sin” no matter how saintly Christian he is. That’s the my problem with it

[NickolaosPappas (Nick)]

@St.Roymond

specifically a university friend who got put in the top position with an organization and by his mere example reduced corruption to near-zero – no orders, policies, or anything else changed, just his example.

Well let time pass and we’ll see I guess. Temptations don’t always work in the begining. But as Nitche said “stare too long to the Abby’s and it will stare back”. Sooner or later his behaviour will change. That’s my opinion as a misanthrope though so take it with a grain of salt

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

@adamjedgar

how then do you explain the Nephilim?

Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.

The descendants of Adam and Eve were mighty men of renown and the leaders of human civilization.

The fantasy reading of this as being about angels breeding with humans and giving birth to fairy tale giants comes from the book of Enoch which is NOT scripture.

[heymike3]

I never saw it before, but this is apparently the cultural background and significance of Jesus’ miraculous conception

[Michael]

@NickolaosPappas

We cannot do that. No one is unable to “destroy his sin” no matter how saintly Christian he is. That’s the my problem with it

You have overlooked a crucial portion of what I had said. In hope of bringing clarity, I’ll emphasize:

@Michael

It is our duty to seek the true nature of our sin, to identify it and to bring it into form and then to ultimately destroy it.

It isn’t about being “saintly” (whatever that may mean) or necessarily even being Christian (though this provides a powerful framework by which to proceed if understood properly). The manifestation of our sin is irrationality, and one cannot overcome this irrationality without endeavoring to bring its source into focus. To willfully disregard this quest and its purpose is to resign oneself to “gazing into the abyss” exactly according to the Nietzsche quotation which you’ve misappropriated.

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

I don’t understand what you are trying to say… that Jesus is a half-breed human & angel? The “Prophecy” movies suggest such a thing and it is entertaining. But I don’t think that is compatible with Christian theology.

[heymike3]

I’m not saying anything other than what has been traditionally understood with Jesus’ miraculous conception, but it does come across as a Jesus is better than moment. Other heros were conceived by the gods, but Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

Well I don’t think it is a matter of genetics that the descendants of Adam and Eve were leaders of human civilization. I think it is the ideas communicated to them by God, things like love and justice, which brought the human mind to life.

As for the virgin birth, I will defend the possibility but I don’t have any great attachment to that teaching. It is not genetics which made Jesus special but His unbreakable relationship with the Father. And He was constantly trying to teach us that we could be the same.

[St.Roymond]

@mitchellmckain

Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.

The descendants of Adam and Eve were mighty men of renown and the leaders of human civilization.

The fantasy reading of this as being about angels breeding with humans and fairy tale giants comes from the book of Enoch which is NOT scripture.

Jude says they were angels who didn’t stay in their proper abode.

[St.Roymond]

@heymike3

Other heros were conceived by the gods, but Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Those “heroes” were also conceived either by actual sexual intercourse or by magic, neither of which applies to Christ.

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

@St.Roymond

Jude says they were angels who didn’t stay in their proper abode.

No Jude does not say anything of the kind. Jude makes reference to angels which did not keep their proper abode but that is all. There is nothing to connect these with anything in Genesis.