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Gavin L Simpson's avatar

Great topics for this week, M.B. Some questions for Theo-Anthro Confession in consideration of Walton's archtypical Adam, Peter Enns' non-traditional historical Adam, and the old human view of William Lane Craig contrasted with the geneological Adam & Eve of S. Joshua Swamidass:

1. Does faithful Biblical exegesis and early creedal orthodoxy demand the Adam & Eve of the Edenic garden be the first human couple and genetic progenerater of all humanity?

2. Given that he second & last Adam is humanities' Federal Head & representative, not a biological or historical statement, could the concept of the first adam also be referring to Adam as humanities' Federal Head & representative, a theological idea, rather than an historical and biological descriptor?

3. Is it unorthodox to believe the description of Adam & Eve's creation is pictorial and theological (or even visionary re: Adam's halving to form Eve), rather than normal biological evolutionary development & natural birth?

4. Given that in Gen5.3: Adam fathers Seth "in his own likeness, after his image" (not said of Cain & Abel), and that Gen9.6 highlight's the image of God as a divine-human role of judicial judgment on murder, is the imago Dei not more a creation mandate, or functional statement of human destiny/purpose/character and role rather than a description of physical human nature or ontology?

5. If the role and character of humanity is to be the image of God in creation, does that not necessitate union, participation & fellowship with God for its meaning & fulfillment, and conversely, that the nature and depravity of original sin primarily & initially consists in the breaking of that union and the progress of antagonism to it in the whole human entity & personality?

[6. Personal: Would you accept the above questions as the basis of a M.Th. thesis proposal on the Imago Dei?]

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Scott Limpert's avatar

Can Christians affirm monogamous, covenantal, non-celibate same-sex relationships while continuing to affirm the authority of Scripture and practice orthodox Christian faith? If so, how? If not, why not?

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