What DOES It Mean To Be CREATED In God's IMAGE?

Dr. Michael S. Heiser2 minutes read

God includes the heavenly host in creation, with humans and the heavenly host representing Him and sharing attributes that include freedom, leading to both realms experiencing chaos due to uncoerced decisions.

Insights

  • God involves the heavenly host in the creation of humankind as His representatives, establishing a unique relationship between them and humans as His children, according to Bruce Waltke.
  • The shared attribute of freedom between humans and the heavenly host, intended to mimic God, can lead to both realms experiencing chaos and rebellion due to the possibility of uncoerced decisions and autonomy.

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Recent questions

  • What is the relationship between humans and the heavenly host?

    Both are God's children and representatives.

  • Who is Bruce Waltke?

    A renowned evangelical Old Testament scholar.

  • What attribute do humans and the heavenly host share with God?

    Freedom.

  • What leads to chaos in both realms according to the argument?

    Failure due to freedom.

  • What is the root cause of rebellion in the heavenly realm and among humans?

    Shared attribute of freedom.

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Summary

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God and Heavenly Host: Agents of Creation

  • The argument presented is that God is speaking to the heavenly host in Genesis 1:26, using the plural of exhortation, where God includes them in the conversation but ultimately carries out the actions Himself.
  • The members of the heavenly host are involved in creating humankind as imagers on Earth, with a relationship between them and humans, both being God's children and representatives.
  • Bruce Waltke, a renowned evangelical Old Testament scholar, supports the idea that humans and the heavenly host are God's agents, representing Him in their respective realms.
  • Humans and the heavenly host share attributes with God to mimic Him, with freedom being one of these attributes, leading to the inevitability of failure and introducing chaos into both realms.
  • Rebellion in the heavenly realm and among humans stems from the shared attribute of freedom, allowing for uncoerced decisions that can lead to autonomy and rebellion against God.
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