I believe context is significant. The opening chapters of Genesis
explicltly mention breathing the breath of life into man _when man was
created_. No such mention is made with animals. Not until much later, in
the flood account, is it even mentioned that animals _have_ the breath of
life. Nor is it clear that the term is saying anything about spiritual
issues -- it may well mean simply that the animals breathe. Obviously that
applies to Gen 2:7 too, but 2:7 is discussing the actual _creation_ of man
in God's image and likeness. I think that allows a different
interpretation, and perhaps actually argues for one.
I suspect we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
>What is different about man's creation is that he alone was
>made in the image of God (Gn 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6).
>
Agreed, but I believe that having the spirit of God is a significant part
of being made in the image of God.
Bill Hamilton | Vehicle Systems Research
GM R&D Center | Warren, MI 48090-9055
810 986 1474 (voice) | 810 986 3003 (FAX)