Hierarchal Design within Creation. An Exploration of Bruce Birch’s Essay “In God’s Image”. Matthew Schumacher IDCR 151: Honors Created & Called for Community. Dr. David Pettegrew March 7, 2024 In his essay, “In the Image of God”, Bruce Birch explores the biblical concept of humanity being created in the image of God, heavily drawing from the two creation accounts included in Genesis one and two. Divided into two theoretical sections, he conveys two big purposes through his writing: to reconcile ideas that are problematically separated from each other and the critique of creational hierarchy as not in keeping with God’s purposes, nor in keeping with Christian ideals. As he elaborates upon these two overarching constructs in the …show more content…
It is not until the fall of man in Genesis 3, eventually manifesting itself into full blown chaos in Genesis 4 with Cain and Abel, that we see this “shalom-breaking” world. This is why when Birch boldly describes a hierarchal view of creation as the “foundation for entire superstructures of racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism" (The CCC Core Reader ), it is not a perspective I can agree with. Yes, these awful exploitations have occurred because of mankind's continual evilness, but the idea of comparing a hierarchal view of creation, post fall of man compared to before fall of man, is completely illogical and borderline hypocritical to Birch’s earlier points throughout the essay. The original hierarchal view of creation saw the Genesis 2 view of creation, with its harmony and peace as mankind ruled the earth in a way that honored other creations, as well as the creator himself. But similar to everything else God has created, it has become perverted and twisted as a result of mankind’s choice in the garden in Genesis 3. For example, as we examine the character of Adam throughout this process of intended creation (Genesis 1-2) and non-intended creation (Genesis 3), we can see a shift from a godly hierarchal obligation to a worldly, self-serving hierarchal dictatorship. Initially, Adam is tasked to take care of Eve and hold her close as …show more content…
He does this by providing information while reflecting on its meaning to our own lives as believers, using many scriptural references in the process. But I believe his perspective that the interrelatedness and interconnectedness of creation proves that no hierarchical structure of creation is completely non-biblical. Throughout both creation accounts, God makes it clear in both literary and conceptual clues that mankind is to be distinct from all other forms of creation. It is our rule and responsibility to rule over creation, even before the “shalom-breaking” nature of the fall of man in Genesis three. Because of the many misrepresentations of hierarchal societies and leaders in our world’s history, many have completely disassociated the term from God himself, Birch included. But we must realize that God’s original design did not call for the order of God’s creation to be broken. As a result of all this discussion provided, I think that a hierarchal view of creation is in full alignment with the not only God’s character, but his intent as
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Held an Overall Captive of Prisoners Written by Aaron Guzikowski and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film Prisoners, was released in the fall of 2013 (IMDb). While the film offers a universal theme of “what would you do if your child went missing?”, has a substantial plot that is riddled with religious references and symbols, filled with twists and turns, and a superb cast of well-known actors, the movie fails because of its plot predictability, an unsatisfying ending and portrayals of characters
black R&B hits. Boone's versions of these songs often contain edited lyrics: such as substituting "drinkin' Coca Cola" for "drinkin' wine" in T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" and "Pretty little Susie is the girl for me" instead of "Boys, don't you know what she do to me" in Little Richard's "Tutti Fruitti." During 1956 ABC Radio Network bans Billie Holiday's rendition of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" from all of its stations because of its prostitution theme. Stations continue to play instrumental versions