If God created man in his own image...

Terry · 04-10-2007 11:03PM #1

Then wouldn't God also have original sin?

Note: I am not christian. This is just something I've often wondered about and wanted to get a christian view on it.

Dave! · 04-10-2007 11:11PM

Could be interpretted as physical image... god looks just like us!

04-10-2007 11:14PM

Why would god have original sin for something people did after they were already made in god's image

radiospan · 04-10-2007 11:22PM

bluewolf wrote:

Why would god have original sin for something people did after they were already made in god's image

But if it's after they were made, how is it "original"?

04-10-2007 11:29PM

plazzTT wrote:

But if it's after they were made, how is it "original"?

it was the original sin...

BrianCalgary · 04-10-2007 11:30PM

The OP wants a Christian view where all.

The image of God is based on our ability to decide our actions and understand right from wrong. A dog can not sin, becuase they have no concept of right and wrong, just action and punishment or reward.

Man chose to sin. Our image is tarnished. It is only through Christ that the image can be restored.

Hope that helps.:)

PDN · 04-10-2007 11:45PM

Genesis tells us that Adam & Eve were created in God's image (and without original sin). They chose to sin. Hence original sin is 'original' in that it originated with the first humans.

Most churches would hold to the doctrine of original sin, meaning that all descendants of Adam and Eve inherit a propensity to sin. Some churches also believe that we all inherit the guilt of Adam and Eve's sin.

All Christians believe that Jesus was born free from original sin. Roman Catholics also believe that Mary was born without original sin (the Immaculate Conception).

Dave! · 05-10-2007 12:02AM

I thought Mary was a mere mortal... How could she not have inherited the sin from Adam and Eve?

Terry · 05-10-2007 12:46AM

PDN wrote:

Genesis tells us that Adam & Eve were created in God's image (and without original sin). They chose to sin. Hence original sin is 'original' in that it originated with the first humans.

Most churches would hold to the doctrine of original sin, meaning that all descendants of Adam and Eve inherit a propensity to sin. Some churches also believe that we all inherit the guilt of Adam and Eve's sin.

All Christians believe that Jesus was born free from original sin. Roman Catholics also believe that Mary was born without original sin (the Immaculate Conception).

That pretty much answers my question. Thanks.

However, DaveMcG touched on something else which interests me.

DaveMcG wrote:

I thought Mary was a mere mortal... How could she not have inherited the sin from Adam and Eve?

Is this correct, or is it just catholics who believe she was born without original sin?

Now onto the First/ Second (depending on faith) comandment.

4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exodus 20:2–17

If Jesus, the son of God, is part of the hold trinity that is God, is it not against the fourth commandment to make statues of Jesus?

I want to mention the Golden Cow range of food products, but have to remind myself that this isn't AH.

interestinguser · 05-10-2007 10:33AM

Question to Christian posters:
Do you think it is necessary for the Adam & Eve story to be literally true for the whole concept of original sin to make sense? If the story is simply a myth what happens to the idea of original sin?

Thanks.

Hivemind187 · 05-10-2007 10:38AM

Edmund Blackadder "They say god created man in his own image, its a sad outlook for christians around the world if God looks anything like you Baldrick."

PDN · 05-10-2007 10:47AM

Terry wrote:

is it just catholics who believe she was born without original sin?

Yes, just Catholics. I think the Eastern Orthodox churches teach that she was born with original sin but did not actually commit sin herself. Other churches (Protestant, reformed, evangelical etc) believe that Mary was born with original sin and, like all other human beings except Jesus, committed sin.

Now onto the First/ Second (depending on faith) comandment.
4. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exodus 20:2–17
If Jesus, the son of God, is part of the hold trinity that is God, is it not against the fourth commandment to make statues of Jesus?

Again, you will get different responses to this. Most non-Catholics would see statues of Jesus as idols. Catholics generally argue that they are 'venerating' a sacred image but not actually worshiping them.

interestinguser · 05-10-2007 11:05AM

Yes, just Catholics. I think the Eastern Orthodox churches teach that she was born with original sin but did not actually commit sin herself. Other churches (Protestant, reformed, evangelical etc) believe that Mary was born with original sin and, like all other human beings except Jesus, committed sin.

What evidence did the various groups use to come up with these different ideas? Is it talked about in the bible?

Catholics generally argue that they are 'venerating' a sacred image but not actually worshiping them

I was brought up catholic and we were certainly never told to worship any statues.

PDN · 05-10-2007 11:06AM

interestinguser wrote:

Question to Christian posters:
Do you think it is necessary for the Adam & Eve story to be literally true for the whole concept of original sin to make sense? If the story is simply a myth what happens to the idea of original sin?

Thanks.

There are biblical scholars who treat the Adam & Eve story as myth, but still believe that the Bible teaches original sin. Their point would be that mankind became increasingly wicked (whether through a one-off act or a process) and that all subsequent humans have an inbuilt inclination towards sin.

If you really want to look at in detail here is an article by Gordon Wenham (an Old Testament theologian who believes the creation accounts to be mythological): http://www.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_104_4_Wenham.pdf

His final paragraph, by way of summary, reads:

In any enquiry into the biblical basis of the doctrine of original sin, a sensitive interpretation of the stories of Genesis 1-11 is essential. Yet they are stories, not statements of systematic theology, and it would be wrong to look for confirmation of every detail of a doctrine in them. Nevertheless a close reading of these chapters does suggest that the author of Genesis
would have been in general sympathy with the interpretation of St. Paul and St. Augustine.

BrianCalgary · 05-10-2007 03:51PM

With regard to statues in the Catholic church.

There was a time when people couldn't read and even if they could books were rare. The result, pictures that told the biblical stories. Statues that told the Biblical stories.

If those obejects of art bring about an urge for someone to worship God, then I'm OK with it. When I read the Bible I get that urge, certain music will give me the same.

The danger is in worshipping the piece of art, be it the crucifix or the madonna or the song, etc.

If God created man in his own image...

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