Hi Paul
Thanks for these most interesting comments. Extrapolating these passages to the
modern world picture is quite a challenge. It is curious how in the present day
commentators focus on the dominion aspect, rather than the reproductive aspect,
although traditionally it was this aspect which exercised the thoughts of the
exegetes, as noted in Cohen's book on Genesis. Presumably therefore the ethical
limits on filling the earth/cosmos are those compatible with care of creation so
that it's ability to reflect God's glory is not marred, the rights of other
created beings not impinged, and that humanity works to God's glory ant not out
of selfish greed.
How does the Septuagint translate the earth that is to be filled in Genesis
1:28? Does it use Kosmos or geos?
respectfully
Jonathan
PHSEELY@aol.com wrote:
> Jonathan orginally wrote (and I have been thinking about it)
>
> << Are we to
> restrict ourselves to minimum input scientific exploration, or does
> creation dominion extend to for extensive exploration that might include
> using the resources of other planets for propellants and other
> consumables for scientific exploration and even establishment of bases? >>
>
> There is something very interesting about the dominion mandate in Gen
> 1:26-28. It is addressed to all human beings and is paired with the
> reproduction mandate. Although it is seemingly restricted to this earth, the
> exploration of other planets was not part of the Weltbild; so, cannot, it
> seems to me, be excluded. But, my point about its being paired with the
> reproduction mandate is that reproduction is built into human beings in such
> a way that it was bound to be fulfilled. It could not be stopped. I think the
> dominion mandate is the same. Curiosity is built into humans. It also cannot
> be stopped. This leaves ethical questions of how space exploration should be
> conducted (which I do not know enought about to answer); but, it seems to me
> that God intended for the dominion mandate to be fulfilled until the end of
> the age; and that would include space exploration and dominion for as far out
> into space as curiosity takes us.
>
> Paul
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