THE SECOND MAJOR QUESTION: What happened at the Fall?
Let’s continue to use our dual revelation framework as we look at the Fall.
The sixth great creation period, or day, was a time of great change. The first great change was in the introduction of something new, a species that the Earth had never seen before.
That new species was man.
Man was unique, in his creation, in his nature, and in his position.
According to Genesis 2, the creation of man is like no other recorded. Man is made of the “dust from the ground” (Gen. 2:7 ESV). God breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils “and the man became a living creature” (Gen. 2:7 ESV).
In the previous chapter, God indicates that man is created in His image (Gen. 1:26). The idea of being created in the image or likeness of God conveys the idea that man has certain attributes that are like God’s faculties. These attributes separate man from animals. The main quality is that of free will. As we will see, this free will gives man the ability to follow God’s commands or not.
Man has several tasks to perform.
· Exercise dominion over the creation (1:26).
· Subdue the earth (1:28).
· Fill the earth (1:28).
· Name all the animals (2:19).
God then rested from his creative work on the seventh day. Bible interpreters say that we continue to be in the seventh day. It is also interesting to note that no new species have appeared since the creation of man as well.
This fact, along with the special quality of his creation, nature, and work assignment, gives us the idea that man is, indeed, the pinnacle of creation.
Next Week: One Prohibition
Mark Riser - Apologist 