Advent Journey: December 4th

© Michael Livesay-Wright

Questions and Reflections

QUESTION: What does it mean that God made humans in His image?

Genesis actually says "Let us make man in OUR image" (Genesis 1:26). "Our" meaning the entire Trinity! This is such a complex question, but it's fun to think about. We are made in the image of God in that we are creative. We are made in the image of the Trinity in that we are wired for community and connection with God. Perhaps most importantly we are made in the image of God in that we are made to care for other things and people. In Genesis 1:28 God says to the humans he just made and says, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every thing that moves on the earth." This verse has caused some controversy over the years because we often have a flawed idea of what it means to "subdue" and have "dominion over." If we are made in God's image then we are also meant to exercise authority in the way He does. And that means with generosity and great care. I think we all could spend more time thinking about this as we interact with all of God's creation: How are we image bearers for God in the way we treat the world He has made?

QUESTION: Why would God make humans if he knew they would make bad choices?

On our first day of reading and today we have mentioned the fall and human goodness fading. It's true, sadly. We were created in this beautiful moment of goodness and abundance, created to be the image of God on the Earth. And yet that's not going to last. We will talk about that more tomorrow. But God is omniscient and omnipresent, meaning he exists outside of time and space and knows and sees all things at once! Why would God go ahead and create little human image bearers when he knew they would make the wrong choice? There is no easy answer to this, though theologians have offered many suggestions. The simplest answer is that (a) he already loved us and wanted us to exist with freedom of choice even if that meant painful choices, and (b) God is telling a bigger story through all of creation and fall that is not all about us -- it's about Him! So we come in and mess things up with our bad choices, but we don't really mess things up because we can't -- not ultimately... And that is what this story is all about. So keep reading!

QUESTION: What can you do to fulfill God's directions to Adam and Eve to care for the Earth and its creatures?

What are you doing right now or this week or what could you do more of in order to care for this earth that God has made. No, the world is no longer perfect, but we still have the same job. Could you be gentle with pets, plant a tree, recycle, use less water, pick up trash at the park? In what ways can we follow in the footsteps of Adam and Eve and practice that generous leadership over this beautiful planet?