Re: The breath of life and the Spirit of God

Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Mon, 12 Jun 1995 15:18:31 -0500

Steve Jones writes
>
>My point was that the model of making man from the dust and the breath
>of God (Gn 2:7) could have applied to all new basic types, for all
>life is from the earth (Gn 1:11, 24) and all animal life (including
>man) has God's breath of life (Gn 1:30, Gn 2:7; 6:17; 7:15,22). There
>is no Biblical warrant for believing that man's creation is something
>different.

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)