Why do the Churches teach Adam was created perfect?

by acolytes 44 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Elsewhere

  Sorry, I have to disagree. The verse said "in our image, in our likeness".

  This is a linguistic strategy of repeating synonyms used to ensure the reader understood the proper definition. It said "image" and then "likeness". Each word alone could mean several things. Together the synonyms share only one definition: Physical Appearance.

  Sometimes people ask me how I came to all of these conclusions that are so different from the common teachings of churches. What I did was very simple: I read the bible again, only before I began I blotted out everything in my mind that I had ever been tought about the bible. I read the bible with a fresh mind as if I had never seen it before in my life. I also took notes as a read along and drew lines on my pages of notes connecting different events.

  I encourage everyone to do this. I guarantee you will be amazed at what you find.
• 

  PSacramento

  The Genesis account is sort of like the "prodigal son" in some aspects.

  God created Man (and woman) and gave them everything (including immortality it cna be argued) and put only one conditon, Don't eat that "apple".

  Man, being tempted because they had free will, disobeys and, in a nutshell, slaps God in the face.

  God says, "son, I told you so, you really should have listened".

  But, when Man comes back to God, God still welcomes him with open arms.

  Well, untill the flood anyways, LOL !

  Ah, the OT God...he is different, that's foir sure !
• 

  PSacramento

  QUote:

  Sorry, I have to disagree. The verse said "in our image, in our likeness".

  This is a linguistic strategy of repeating synonyms used to ensure the reader understood the proper definition. It said "image" and then "likeness". Each word alone could mean several things. Together the synonyms share only one definition: Physical Appearance.

  That's fine, we don;t have to agree, this isn't the WT, LOL !

  So tell me, what part was the physical appearance? Hands? legs? hair? beard? , why no wings like the Cherbims or did they fall off? Adam wasn't circumsized, that came later, why? God was obviously uncirumsized since Adam was the same as God was in physical appearence.

  Hair on chest? clean shaven? what about Eve? Angels have no gender, where did she come from?
• 

  PSacramento

  By the way, dos the OT or NT say anywhere that Adam was perfect?

  I know the WT claims that, but is it said anywhere?
• 

  acolytes

  Good advise Elsewhere. Actually thats what Iam trying to do.

  In my Bible the verse says "In our image after our likeness" But that doesnt mean your point is not valid.

  Thanks to everyone for their contribution. This is the place to come for a diversity of viewpoints.

  Acolytes
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  PSacramento

  The term for likeness is demuwth, which means:

  1) likeness, similitude

  And Image: tselem

  1) image

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

  b) image, likeness (of resemblance)

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

  While it says that Adam and Eve were created in the Image of God and his fellow heavenly dwellers ( Christaisn will say God and Jesus), if we think of it in a STRICKLY literal sense then Adam and Eve had no corporal bodies, for God has no coperal body.
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  acolytes

  Hi Psacramento

  I never thought of it in a literal sence. In fact I think the whole concept of understaning God in these verses is beyound our comprehension and understanding. You see words are such an imperfect way for communication. I mean they are great for fun literature ie Sherlock Holmes ,Mark Twain ect. My hope is that their is a afterlife and we are unable to grasp how wonderful it is. Thats why we need faith .But I have also enjoyed debating the subject and challenging my thinking.

  Acolytes
• 

  acolytes

  Hi Psacramento

  I never thought of it in a literal sence. In fact I think the whole concept of understaning God in these verses is beyound our comprehension and understanding. You see words are such an imperfect way for communication. I mean they are great for fun literature ie Sherlock Holmes ,Mark Twain ect. My hope is that their is a afterlife and we are unable to grasp how wonderful it is. Thats why we need faith .But I have also enjoyed debating the subject and challenging my thinking.

  Acolytes
• 

  acolytes

  Hi Psacramento

  I never thought of it in a literal sence. In fact I think the whole concept of understaning God in these verses is beyound our comprehension and understanding. You see words are such an imperfect way for communication. I mean they are great for fun literature ie Sherlock Holmes ,Mark Twain ect. My hope is that their is a afterlife and we are unable to grasp how wonderful it is. Thats why we need faith .But I have also enjoyed debating the subject and challenging my thinking.

  Acolytes
• 

  moshe

  -it is very obvious that the god of the bible views humans the same way it views animals.

  I have heard a Rabbi explain that until humans became self-aware, they were just like the animals, living by instinct, with no worries about cold, pain or of their mortality. The Knowldege of good and bad, includes the knowledge that you will one day die and this changes everything. My dog lives everyday as a carefree animal - he is not the least bit worried about getting sick, hurt, finding a mate (thanks to the Vet) or dying. He has food today and doesn't worry about food for tomorrow. Total bliss. Humans wanted the ability to have free choice and not be governed by pure instinct. The right of choice is a power the gods have and to get it comes with a price. Humans have invented many mental tricks, like religion, to put off our day of death and we would go crazy, if we worried about it everyday.