Who was it that was Perfect in the Bible's Creation Epic?

A couple reoccuring thoughts continue to bounce around my head during certain times of pondering and as well as conversations with a co-worker of mine that is in fact religous.

Genesis 2: 15-17: 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

The Bible states in Genesis 3:22: 22 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

So keeping these verses in mind, we can also assume that since man was made in "Gods" own image and in "His" likeness, and since "He" is perfect then man must have been too. As well, we can obviously make the assumption that man was cursed and was no longer considered perfect and was destined to die for partaking of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

My question is this: If man was perfect prior to knowing good and evil ( which came from eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge ) would that make "God" not perfect since "He" already had knowledge of good and evil and as well would be mere mortal since the price of knowing good and evil was death?

I would like to hear all your thoughts on this. Please be tolerant of others as well. These threads all too often get hijacked by needless rhetoric. I am merely asking a question, I do not begrudge anyones personal beliefs and thoughts.

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

So keeping these verses in mind, we can also assume that since man was made in "Gods" own image and in "His" likeness, and since "He" is perfect then man must have been too.

No, when the Bible says we were created in the image of God it means we are a 3 part being, body, soul, and spirit.

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


Man is perfect my friend, so is everything else in creation...

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


Good question, no clue though, I guess we'll find out soon.
FYI I freakin loved that movie, The Fountain... I recommend everyone watch it

Originally posted by NOTurTypical
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

So keeping these verses in mind, we can also assume that since man was made in "Gods" own image and in "His" likeness, and since "He" is perfect then man must have been too.

No, when the Bible says we were created in the image of God it means we are a 3 part being, body, soul, and spirit.

NO.. that's just man's religiously-indoctrinated perception/belief of it.

In the source material for the first few books of the Hebrew Torah, and thus Genesis...the Sumerian Tablets.. it is clear In Our Image means exactly that... IMAGE.. the Form, the Physical Body... only.

Originally posted by Akragon
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

Man is perfect my friend, so is everything else in creation...

Man was created perfect, but God made that deceleration before the fall. I will be the first to tell you I am certainly not perfect, I'm not even GOOD.

reply to post by Tayesin


Sorry, the definition of the Hebrew word "Tselem" which was translated "image" in English:

"1) image

a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods)

b) image, likeness (of resemblance)

c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.)"


We were created in God's semblance, likeness or resemblance... not a mirror image as we think of the word as it's used today.

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by Akragon
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

Man is perfect my friend, so is everything else in creation...

Man was created perfect, but God made that deceleration before the fall. I will be the first to tell you I am certainly not perfect, I'm not even GOOD.

Your body and your creation is still perfection...every living molocule is in fact perfection. Peoples thoughts and actions are what makes them less then such.

Me. I was perfect in the bible. Now give me all of your money and kill your neighbor. Be sure to pray to me before you do anything. Fear me. I am always watching you. Remember that you were born a sinner, so kiss my butt as much as possible and maybe I will save you from burning forever. Stay dismissive to anybody who questions the beliefs that I have given you. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I love you.

reply to post by AnimositisominA


Interersting...

Thou art the horrible diety...

Originally posted by Akragon

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by Akragon
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

Man is perfect my friend, so is everything else in creation...

Man was created perfect, but God made that deceleration before the fall. I will be the first to tell you I am certainly not perfect, I'm not even GOOD.

Your body and your creation is still perfection...every living molocule is in fact perfection. Peoples thoughts and actions are what makes them less then such.

Well, if you want to view it in that context i won't argue with that. God's creation is perfect, as He said so when He was finished with Creation on day 6. I kinda look at man in totality, which includes his heart, mind and spirit.

The heart and the mind are "exceedingly evil" since the fall, just as the Word states.

Sure, I'll play for a minute. ( 6 paragraph reply deleted )

No never mind. Trying to make sense out of these questions is futile.

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by Akragon

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by Akragon
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

Man is perfect my friend, so is everything else in creation...

Man was created perfect, but God made that deceleration before the fall. I will be the first to tell you I am certainly not perfect, I'm not even GOOD.

Your body and your creation is still perfection...every living molocule is in fact perfection. Peoples thoughts and actions are what makes them less then such.

Well, if you want to view it in that context i won't argue with that. God's creation is perfect, as He said so when He was finished with Creation on day 6. I kinda look at man in totality, which includes his heart, mind and spirit.

The heart and the mind are "exceedingly evil" since the fall, just as the Word states.

haha, more and more you see we think alike... but

The heart and the mind and the spirt are all a part of the spiritual and not the physical.

The heart and the mind are "exceedingly evil" since the fall, just as the Word states.

This is not true in all cases, perhaps most....but not all.

reply to post by Akragon

This is not true in all cases, perhaps most....but not all.

Jesus said no man is "good".

Originally posted by NOTurTypical
reply to post by Akragon

 

This is not true in all cases, perhaps most....but not all.

Jesus said no man is "good".

I think times are a little different then back then my friend...but i'd like to see that quote

Gen 3:22 And the Lord said, Behold, The man has become as one of us, to know good and evil: lest he put forth his hand, and take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:


That a very interesting verse that has always intrigued me. I have never had anyone, minister, preacher. nor anyone to fully explain why God would put the tree of life in the Garden. Since God already knows everything from beginning to end , He knew they would fail even if he told them not to. Does this tree hold the key to living forever if they take of the tree? Is that what it is saying? God already knew these two would disobey and would never be allowed to take of the tree of life. He speaks to his council about the two becoming as one of us, to know good and evil and reaching out to the tree of life and eat of the tree that would let them live forever.

So some one explain....

reply to post by Akragon


I think that would be St Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

Originally posted by NOTurTypical
reply to post by Tayesin

 

Sorry, the definition of the Hebrew word "Tselem" which was translated "image" in English:

"1) image

a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods)

b) image, likeness (of resemblance)

c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.)"


We were created in God's semblance, likeness or resemblance... not a mirror image as we think of the word as it's used today.

Thanks, but I didn't say anything about a mirror image.. I said Image = Form.. the Form of the physical body.

Originally posted by ellieN
reply to post by Akragon

 

I think that would be St Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

I believe Jesus was refering to "Good" as perfection...

10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

This "one" was hoping he might gain favor by calling him "good" master... because he had possessions...

He asked jesus what might he do to go to heaven because he thought he had it all, yet something was missing... And his answer...

19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God

Greed was in his heart...

reply to post by Tayesin


Usually , I don't like to put too much input into these religious threads because they can become heated over something said very quickly. But I have a different theory as to what the word image means. Since God is omniscient or not limited in authority or power. I don't see that God needs a body., nor wings, nor a flying machine. We are made for the environment that was created for Earth, a very beautiful place too and it is perfectly suited to our earthly bodies. Also made to be able to create things of our own. No other creature on Earth has the abilities that humans have. We are the essence of what God is .The being that God gave sentience to. The power to reason, to have feelings and emotions, perceptions and a whole lot more. That to me is the image we were made in. If God wants to appear to you He would appear to you in human form, because that is all we know. We know of no other sentient beings. God knows we can't perceive of anything beyond that.
As I said it is just an opinion...