Image of God - or image of Adam?

[Carry_Your_Name]

We're been taught all the time in motivational sermons that we're made in the image of God, in latin, "Imago Dei", I understand its significance, as it points us to our one and only Creator, and it's especially relevant in this corrupt era where up is down and down is up, it reminds us of our original identity and affirms that there're only male and female. However, this "Imago Dei" alone is deceptive, because it's only half truth, it has been frequently exploited to boost pride and ego, it has even become a selling point for the body positivity movement by lots of influencers with a Christian label, that everyone is "fearfully and wonderfully made" in the image of God, no matter what size you are. I heard that yesterday in a podcast, it was outrageous, and it inspired me to write this thread.

Indeed, Adam and Eve were directly made in the image of God, but from Seth and there on, all mankind are made in the image of Adam. In other words, while Adam was a copy, Seth was a copy of a copy, which was no longer the original, the difference was SIN. The original image of God was tainted by sin, we're indirectly made in the image of a sinner. This might sound harsh, even offensive, yet it's the other half.

This other half comes from Gen. 5:3, you've probably have never noticed, yet it's key to understand who we are, who Christ is and why we need salvation from Christ. The garden of Eden was the intersection of heaven and earth, since Adam was banished, the connection between man and God was severed, as a result, mankind deviated further and further away from God, and sin piled up like entropy, generation upon generation. According to the genealogy in Lk. 3, when it came to Jesus's generation, the 76th, it had become a "faithless and perverse generation" (Matt. 17:17). And this is not just talking in a moral sense, but also in biological sense. Think about how sick we have become of, both mentally and physiologically, compared to the boomers and the silent generation. We're not evolving, but DEvolving. This is confirmed in epigenetic research, some of our lifestyle choices can be embedded into our genome and passed down to the next generation.

This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. (Gen. 5:1-3)

Knowing our sinful nature points us to Christ, who was born of the Holy Spirit, not Mary's egg and Joseph's sperm, and thus the incarnate of God, directly manifested in the Father's image, not indirectly in Adam's image. Like the first Adam, the prototype, He was born in the original, pristine, sinless state, therefore he was called the Second or Last Adam, that sets Him apart from Mary, Joseph, James and all other human beings who have inherited Adam's sin nature; and UNLIKE the first Adam, He resisted the devil, he retained his sinless state till he was crucified. We're taught to conform to image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), justified by His blood, and at the resurrection we will be divested of the sin nature we inherited from Adam and remade in glorified bodies. If you don't conform in the image of Christ, you know what the alternative is? The image of the Beast (Rev. 13:14-15), and again, not just in a moral sense, but also in biological sense, known as transhumanism, I assume you guys are no stranger to that, today's transgender movement is just a preview. It's the same lie in the garden - "you shall be like God, knowing good and evil," Gen. 3:5.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. (Rom. 5:12-14)

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

There has been a dangerous teaching, common among megachurches that teach prosperity gospel, that "we are little Christs", as "little Christ" is what "Christian" means; we as imagers of God can do all things Christ did; by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, our sins are all washed away, no more guilt and shame, we're God's chosen and blessed vessels to advance his kingdom, God will give us all things we need, we're imbued with divine power to knock down giants in our path. This all sounds honky dory and theologically correct, backed by certain verses, but it's a humanistic heresy that elevates man and diminishes God, the heart of the problem is the omission of Gen. 5:3, which reveals our fallen nature inherited from Adam.

 

[tdidymas]

We're been taught all the time in motivational sermons that we're made in the image of God, in latin, "Imago Dei", I understand its significance, as it points us to our one and only Creator, and it's especially relevant in this corrupt era where up is down and down is up, it reminds us of our original identity and affirms that there're only male and female. However, this "Imago Dei" alone is deceptive, because it's only half truth, it has been frequently exploited to boost pride and ego, it has even become a selling point for the body positivity movement by lots of influencers with a Christian label, that everyone is "fearfully and wonderfully made" in the image of God, no matter what size you are. I heard that yesterday in a podcast, it was outrageous, and it inspired me to write this thread.

Indeed, Adam and Eve were directly made in the image of God, but from Seth and there on, all mankind are made in the image of Adam. In other words, while Adam was a copy, Seth was a copy of a copy, which was no longer the original, the difference was SIN. The original image of God was tainted by sin, we're indirectly made in the image of a sinner. This might sound harsh, even offensive, yet it's the other half.

This other half comes from Gen. 5:3, you've probably have never noticed, yet it's key to understand who we are, who Christ is and why we need salvation from Christ. The garden of Eden was the intersection of heaven and earth, since Adam was banished, the connection between man and God was severed, as a result, mankind deviated further and further away from God, and sin piled up like entropy, generation upon generation. According to the genealogy in Lk. 3, when it came to Jesus's generation, the 76th, it had become a "faithless and perverse generation" (Matt. 17:17). And this is not just talking in a moral sense, but also in biological sense. Think about how sick we have become of, both mentally and physiologically, compared to the boomers and the silent generation. We're not evolving, but DEvolving. This is confirmed in epigenetic research, some of our lifestyle choices can be embedded into our genome and passed down to the next generation.

This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. (Gen. 5:1-3)

Knowing our sinful nature points us to Christ, who was born of the Holy Spirit, not Mary's egg and Joseph's sperm, and thus the incarnate of God, directly manifested in the Father's image, not indirectly in Adam's image. Like the first Adam, the prototype, He was born in the original, pristine, sinless state, therefore he was called the Second or Last Adam, that sets Him apart from Mary, Joseph, James and all other human beings who have inherited Adam's sin nature; and UNLIKE the first Adam, He resisted the devil, he retained his sinless state till he was crucified. We're taught to conform to image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), justified by His blood, and at the resurrection we will be divested of the sin nature we inherited from Adam and remade in glorified bodies. If you don't conform in the image of Christ, you know what the alternative is? The image of the Beast (Rev. 13:14-15), and again, not just in a moral sense, but also in biological sense, known as transhumanism, I assume you guys are no stranger to that, today's transgender movement is just a preview. It's the same lie in the garden - "you shall be like God, knowing good and evil," Gen. 3:5.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. (Rom. 5:12-14)

James says that we are all made in the likeness (image) of God. So then, just as we can be both saints and sinners simultaneously, we are simultaneously in the image of God and of Adam. The likeness of God in all mankind has been corrupted, so we are still in God's image, though marred. It's not mutually exclusive.

 

[Elijah7777]

Indeed, Adam and Eve were directly made in the image of God

Jesus lived His life as an example for us to follow. 1 Peter 2:21 – "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

James says that we are all made in the likeness (image) of God. So then, just as we can be both saints and sinners simultaneously, we are simultaneously in the image of God and of Adam. The likeness of God in all mankind has been corrupted, so we are still in God's image, though marred. It's not mutually exclusive.

Yeah, we have a sin nature, that's why we need redemption from Jesus whose true original image of God is for us to follow. The tricky thing is that this sin nature wasn't inherent in the design of the first Adam as much as he was originally sinless, and he was "very good"; nor was it acquired from the forbidden fruit; it was a postlapsarian trait, which means after the rebellion against God and the banishment from Eden. From there on, human nature was marred, as sin entered the world. Most teachings from the church and Christian influencers would never tell you this, they'd only pound on the "image of God" because "image of Adam" is offensive.

 

[Elijah7777]

Most teachings from the church and Christian influencers would never tell you this, they'd only pound on the "image of God" because "image of Adam" is offensive.

They like to quote John 3:16 which would suggest all we have to do is believe. Then we are told that God loves everyone no matter how much of a sinner they are. What we need to do is talk about how we are to become born again and a new creation in Christ. Even we are to put on the mind of Christ. God has a plan for all of us and we ned to follow that plan for us and our lives. Even we are told the angels have been given to help us to be transformed and to become the people God always intended for us to be.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

They like to quote John 3:16 which would suggest all we have to do is believe. Then we are told that God loves everyone no matter how much of a sinner they are. What we need to do is talk about how we are to become born again and a new creation in Christ. Even we are to put on the mind of Christ. God has a plan for all of us and we ned to follow that plan for us and our lives. Even we are told the angels have been given to help us to be transformed and to become the people God always intended for us to be.

This is called spiritual junk food, loaded with empty calories, but little nutrients. It is as bad to your soul as junk food is to your body.

 

[Elijah7777]

This is called spiritual junk food,

People do seem to be confused as to what food they can or can not eat.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

People do seem to be confused as to what food they can or can not eat.

Here's the answer. The bottom line is, eat what God created, not what man created.

I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. (Gen. 1:29)
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. (Gen. 9:3)
Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. (Lev. 11:3)
These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. (Lev. 11:9)

 

[tdidymas]

Here's the answer. The bottom line is, eat what God created, not what man created.

I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. (Gen. 1:29)
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. (Gen. 9:3)
Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. (Lev. 11:3)
These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. (Lev. 11:9)

He was talking about spiritual food.

But keeping in mind not to hijack a thread, shrimp and lobster have scales and a fin, but high in cholesterol. Not really healthy. Crayfish (also called "mud shrimp") is detestable.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

He was talking about spiritual food.

Spiritual diet results from spiritual appetite. If your ears can be easily tickled by "moralistic therapeutical deism", and such teaching is so ubiquitous, don't be surprised when you're being fed up with it.

 

[Elijah7777]

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.

The leading cause of death is to eat the fat of animals. The Bible instructs against eating fat in Leviticus 7:23-25, where God commands the Israelites: "You must not eat the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat." (Leviticus 7:23)

Eli was a high priest whose sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were corrupt. 1 Samuel 2:12-17 describes how they took raw meat before the fat was burned, which was against the sacrificial laws. This was considered a great sin in God's sight. The sons of Eli, were considered wicked and corrupt priests. The Bible describes them as "worthless men" who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12)

Jesus tells the lawless "depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:23) Of course I understand you believe we should follow the diet laws we read in our Bible. But there is not a good solid understanding of just what those laws are. Even Science does not help us to understand as well as we need to stay healthy.

Science and religion both fail us in this regard and the diet in America is not good or healthy. This was the cause of death for my brother, mother and grandfather.

The Bible often speaks of long life as a blessing from God, especially for those who follow His wisdom and live righteously. Several verses highlight this:

• Proverbs 3:1-2 – “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”

 

[Free]

The leading cause of death is to eat the fat of animals.

Do you have any sources for that?

The Bible instructs against eating fat in Leviticus 7:23-25, where God commands the Israelites: "You must not eat the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat." (Leviticus 7:23)

Eli was a high priest whose sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were corrupt. 1 Samuel 2:12-17 describes how they took raw meat before the fat was burned, which was against the sacrificial laws. This was considered a great sin in God's sight. The sons of Eli, were considered wicked and corrupt priests. The Bible describes them as "worthless men" who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12)

But why? Lev. 3 and 4 tell us why—because the fat was a part of God’s portion. It is only in relation to sacrifices, not in relation to fat that is in the meat, nor in relation to other clean animals that can be eaten but are unsuitable for sacrifice.

Even Science does not help us to understand as well as we need to stay healthy.

Science and religion both fail us in this regard and the diet in America is not good or healthy.

Science gets us most of the way there.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

The leading cause of death is to eat the fat of animals.

Are you sure this is not anti fat propaganda from the 80s and 90s in the last century? Since then, animal fat was slowly replaced with artificial sweeteners and seed oils, which are more deadly?

 

[Elijah7777]

Are you sure this is not anti fat propaganda from the 80s and 90s in the last century?

Absolutely, 100% positive. After they put a stint in the first thing the doctors did was put me in a class to teach me what is the cause of hardening of the arteries. Dr Ornish did a lot of the research. The have found out that his diet works for much more than just the heart. Also diabeties cancer and other health issues.

Also, the Bible is very clear on this issue. I try to follow the teachings of Moses on what we and can not eat. Science and the Bible are in 100% agreement on this. I would not want to teach that class because people really fight it. They just do not want to have to give up their happy meal.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Absolutely, 100% positive. After they put a stint in the first thing the doctors did was put me in a class to teach me what is the cause of hardening of the arteries. Dr Ornish did a lot of the research. The have found out that his diet works for much more than just the heart. Also diabeties cancer and other health issues.

Also, the Bible is very clear on this issue. I try to follow the teachings of Moses on what we and can not eat. Science and the Bible are in 100% agreement on this. I would not want to teach that class because people really fight it. They just do not want to have to give up their happy meal.

I don't believe you, since you seem to have grown up in that era with that anti-fat propaganda. The factor that causes disease is not fat itself, but the toxins absorbed in the fat cells. If you consume industrial hydrogenated seed oils everyday, that contributes to the hardening of arteries more than butter and lard - as long as it's from free ranged grass fed source.

 

[Elijah7777]

I don't believe you, since you seem to have grown up in that era with that anti-fat propaganda.

I am going by the Bible. In Leviticus 7:22-25, God commands the Israelites not to eat the fat of cattle, sheep, or goats. The passage states that the fat of an animal used for offerings must not be consumed. I try to follow the teachings of the Bible. David expresses deep love for God's law throughout the Psalms. In Psalm 119:97, he declares, "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." He sees God's commandments as a source of wisdom, guidance, and joy. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:7, a distinction is made between a righteous person and a good person, implying that goodness may involve kindness and generosity beyond mere righteousness. Only through the Blood of Jesus can we be right with God.

 

[Elijah7777]

Do you have any sources for that?

Eating red meat daily triples heart disease-related chemical

People had high blood levels of TMAO, a chemical that’s been linked to heart disease, when they ate a diet rich in red meat.

www.nih.gov

Eating excessive amounts of animal fat, particularly saturated fat, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Research suggests that consuming high levels of red meat can raise levels of TMAO, a chemical associated with heart disease. However, some experts argue that the real issue is processed foods and refined carbohydrates, rather than animal fat alone.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

I am going by the Bible. In Leviticus 7:22-25, God commands the Israelites not to eat the fat of cattle, sheep, or goats. The passage states that the fat of an animal used for offerings must not be consumed. I try to follow the teachings of the Bible. David expresses deep love for God's law throughout the Psalms. In Psalm 119:97, he declares, "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." He sees God's commandments as a source of wisdom, guidance, and joy. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:7, a distinction is made between a righteous person and a good person, implying that goodness may involve kindness and generosity beyond mere righteousness. Only through the Blood of Jesus can we be right with God.

You've gone on a tangent. If that's your conviction, good for you. I don't eat the fat either, as it's usually already trimmed and removed by the meat packer. Whether butter and lard are categorized as "fat of cattle, sheep, or goats" though is up to you.

 

[Elijah7777]

I don't eat the fat either, as it's usually already trimmed and removed by the meat packer.

The put fat in hamburger. I just had an angioplasty. Everything was fine, no stents no balloons. They were not expecting this because they put a stent in 20 years ago. But everything is fine now. When my brother died his wrists were very sore from all the stents they put in him.