Teaching Creation and Human Body Design with Illustrations
Teaching Creation and Human Body Design with Illustrations
The biblical account of creation provides a foundation for understanding human body design. In Genesis 1:1, the text states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" [1]. This passage introduces the theme of creation, emphasizing God's role as the supreme creator. The creation narrative continues to describe the formation of humanity, with Genesis 1:27 affirming that "God created mankind in his own image" [2].
The concept of humanity being created in God's image is significant for understanding human body design. According to the Tyndale House commentary on Genesis 1:1, the creation account teaches Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God [2]. This understanding is reinforced by the Reformed tradition, as seen in Calvin's Commentary on Genesis, which highlights the importance of understanding the image of God in humanity [4].
The biblical account of creation also emphasizes the goodness of God's creation. Genesis 1:31 states, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" [3]. This declaration underscores the idea that human body design is part of a larger creation that is intentionally crafted by God. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Genesis 1:28, notes that both the human body and soul are "adapted with astonishing wisdom to their residence and occupations" [6].
In teaching creation and human body design, illustrations can be used to highlight the complexity and intentionality of God's creation. For example, the human body's intricate systems, such as the eye or the circulatory system, can be used to demonstrate the wisdom and design evident in creation. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom's homilies, encourages believers to recognize the potential for beauty and goodness in their own lives, just as God has created the natural world [7].
The apostle Paul also references the concept of humanity being created in God's image in 1 Corinthians 11:7, stating that "man is the image and glory of God" [5]. This passage reinforces the idea that human body design is connected to the broader theme of creation and the image of God.
Sources
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 1 (introduction): Genesis 1:1 THE CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (Gen 1:1-2) In the beginning--a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in Pro 8:22-23. God--the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, namely, that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead--Father, So”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:1: 1:1–2:3 These verses introduce the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) and teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God and not by the gods of surrounding nations. • God blessed three specific things: animal life (1:22-25), human life (1:27), and the Sabbath day (2:3). This trilogy of blessings highlights the Creator’s plan: Humankind was made in God’s image to enjoy sovereign dominion over the creatures of the earth and to participate in God’s Sabbath rest. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: This statem”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:31: 1:31 The Creator declares his work good seven times in ch 1; following the creation of human beings, God declares it all very good.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:7: 11:7 man is made in God’s image: See Gen 1:26-27.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them - Marked them as being under his especial protection, and gave them power to propagate and multiply their own kind on the earth. A large volume would be insufficient to contain what we know of the excellence and perfection of man, even in his present degraded fallen state. Both his body and soul are adapted with astonishing wisdom to their residence and occupations; and also the place of their residence, as well as the surrounding objects, in their diversity, color, and mutual relations, to the mind and body of this lord of the creation. The co”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: similar power; as a painter, being an affectionate father, teaches his own art to his son. I formed thy body beautiful, he says, but I give thee the power of forming something better. Make thy soul beautiful. I said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, and every fruitful tree.” ( Gen. i. 11 .) Do thou also say, Let this earth 1278 1278 i.e. the body. bring forth its proper fruit, and what thou willest to produce will be produced. “I make the summer and the cloud. I create the lightning and the wind.” ( Amos iv. 13; Ps. lxxiv. 17 .)”