The explicit testimony that many parts of the New Testament give to the literal
accuracy of the record of the creation of man, makes it impossible for the followers
of Christ to accept the many theories which are in circulation that have as
common ground a denial of the historic accuracy of Genesis 1 and 2.
One of the most important aspects of the subject we are considering is the realisation
of the place man occupies in the purpose of God. When we reach the record of
the sixth day in Genesis 1, we read of a transaction that is in marked contrast
with the whole of the previous account of creation. The creation of the first
heaven and earth, the calling forth of light, the fashioning of the present
heavens, the placing of the sun and the moon in their respective spheres, the
creation of vegetable and animal life, all go forward at the fiat of the Creator;
but the close of the fifth day introduces a marked change. A pause comes in
the work. We read of a conference, and the first revelation of the nature of
the Godhead is given.
'And God said, Let us make man in our image'.
The creation of man and the purpose of God are intimately associated. Man is
created in the image of God and after His likeness. Christ is the Image of God
(Col. 1:15). The creation of man in God's image does not indicate resemblance
in the sense of physical likeness, but in the sense of Romans 5:14, 'Adam ...
who is the figure (or type) of Him that was to come'.
The likeness seems to be associated with dominion, and this element of rule
for God is given a large place in the typical character of Adam. We have it
in Psalm 8, in Hebrews 2, in 1 Corinthians 15, and it is alluded to in other
places.
Another matter of importance which we learn from Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2 is that
Adam was made, 'for a little, lower than (inferior to) the angels'. Subsequent
revelation shows that the intention of God was that Adam and his seed should
at some future time be raised above angels. Luke 3 tells us that Adam was the
son of God; at one end of the genealogy is 'Jesus the beloved Son', at the other,
Adam (Luke 3:22,23 and 38).
Genesis 2:4-25 supplements the account of Genesis 1, giving us fuller details
of the formation both of Adam himself and of Eve. 'And the Lord God formed man
of the dust of the ground'. Man shares with the rest of the animal creation
an earthly origin -- 'of the earth, earthy'.
There is however a difference to be observed.
'And (He) breathed into his nostrils the breath of life'. This expression, a
translation of neshamah, occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. These references
are set out and examined in The Berean Expositor Vol. 19, pp. 66-69, and the
conclusion arrived at from their consideration is that this 'breath of life'
belongs only to God and to man, and not to the lower orders of creation. Man
is separated from the rest of creation. He is, for a little, lower than the
angels. He is in possession of the 'breath of life', a gift not possessed by
any other creature on the earth. He is in the image and likeness of God.
The characteristics in which man is allied to the existing creation are expressed
in the third statement -- 'And man became a living soul' (Gen. 2:7). Tradition
has it that this implies the immortality of the soul. Scripture declares that
it indicates that Adam, as created, was non-spiritual.
' ... The first man Adam was made a living soul ... that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural' (1 Cor. 15:45,46).
The point of the argument here is blunted by the translation. Our language possesses the two words, 'spirit' and 'spiritual', but not the words 'soul' and 'soulish'. Now the word translated 'natural' is rightly 'soulical' if such a word could be permitted. All that Adam was and could give to his descendants was soulish and earthy; the Lord Jesus alone, as the last Adam and the second Man, can give spiritual and heavenly enduements. The words, 'man became a living soul', far from teaching man's spiritual and immortal nature, actually teach the reverse. The following passages taken from Genesis will prove this without any doubt:
'The moving creature that hath life (margin soul)' (Gen. 1:20).
'Every living creature that moveth (margin living soul)' (Gen. 1:21).
'Let the earth bring forth the living creature' (Gen. 1:24).
'Every thing ... wherein there is life (margin a living soul)' (Gen. 1:30).
The two words nephesh and psuche, the Hebrew and Greek respectively, for 'soul',
occur 857 times in the Scriptures. Yet not one reference can be found that speaks
of an immortal or never-dying soul. Consequently we reject such teaching as
untrue. A reading of Genesis 3:22,23, moreover, shows that the tree of life
was such that man by partaking of it could live for ever, but that as a result
of sin, God took special precautions to prevent man from living for ever, by
banishing him from the garden. Immortality can only be obtained through Christ,
and will be entered upon at resurrection (1 Cor. 15:53,54).
The question is more fully discussed in a pamphlet, Hell, or Pure from the blood
of all men -- same author and publisher.