Humans / Adam | Genesis 1:24-31

Mara examines the creation of humans on Day Six, focusing on what it means to be created "in the image of God." She explores the ancient Near Eastern context of images and idols to illuminate this profound concept. "The ancient writers are saying that not just the kings, not just the leaders, not just the priests, but every human, and humanity as one collective is the image of the divine." KEY THEMES: • The Hebrew word "Adam" meaning "human" rather than a male name • The ancient understanding of images/idols as representations of deities • How Genesis democratizes royal language for all humans • The profound intimacy between creator and humanity by design REFERENCES: • The Bible Project’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heaven and Earth Classroom Series⁠⁠ • John Walton's The Lost World of Adam and Eve • Marilynne Robinson's Reading Genesis⁠ • The work of J. Richard Middleton⁠⁠ and N. T. Wright