Tuesday, January 17, 2017

But not God

How, then, does Gen 9:6 illumine our understanding of what it means that humankind is created bəṣelem ʾelōhîm? It clearly demonstrates that humans are not God nor are they the ultimate lawmakers. However, it does indicate that there is a profound level of correspondence between God and humans. That is, humankind acts on God’s behalf, in the capacity of a divinely appointed judge and administrator and as one who obeys and enforces the divine law authored by God. Thus, being created in the image (ṣelem) of God has something to do with representing him in the realm of law and justice, but it is clearly distinct from being God himself.—The "Image of God" in the Garden of Eden, page 122

<idle musing>
And some of us forget the last part: we are not God! Or, perhaps more honestly, all of us on occasion forget that we aren't God. .thinsp;.
</idle musing>

No comments: