The following is a brief confession from a series written for my Systematic Theology classes.
I believe that humankind was created by God on the sixth day (Gen 1:26, 5:2, Deut 4:32), when God made Adam, the first man, from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7), and Eve, the first woman, from Adam’s flesh (Gen 2:21, 1 Tim 2:13). Both the first man and all those who would follow are created uniquely and in the image of God (Gen 1:27, 5:1, Ps 136:13-15, 139:13), to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31) and reflect His good character and relational nature in creation (2 Cor 3:18).
God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gave them authority over every living thing (Gen 1:28-29) and responsibility to care for them and cultivate them (Gen 1:28-29, 2:8, Ps 8:4-6). So too do all of us carry this authority and responsibility, which are to be exercised in a pattern of work and rest (Exod 20:8-11, Gen 2:2-3, Mark 2:27-28, Heb 4:9-11), and in the context of a relationship with God, submitted to his authority and watchful care (Gen 2:17, Isa 41:14).
God blessed Adam and Eve and commanded them to reproduce and fill the earth (Gen 1:28), and it is from them that all humanity is descended (Acts 17:26). He also intended for us to relate to one another in peace (Ps 34:14, Col 3:15), and to support one another in the mutually edifying relationship of marriage between one man and one woman, which is the only appropriate context for the expression of human sexuality (Gen 2:24, Mark 10:6-9). While there is a differentiation of roles intended for men and women in marriage and the church (Gen 2:18, Eph 5:22-28), each are equally loved and are of equal worth before God (Gal 3:28, Col 3:11).
I believe sin entered the world through the first man (Rom 5:12, 1 Cor 15:22), and continues in each of us by nature and by the ongoing choices we make, alienating us from the Holy God (1 John 1:8-10). Yet, because of our infinite value to God (John 3:16, 1 Pet 1:19, Rev 1:5), He is working out a plan to save and restore humanity (1 Cor 15:49, Rev 7:9, 2 Pet 3:9). This He has accomplished through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus, who became one of us in order to pay the just penalty for the sin of all mankind (Rom 5:8, 7:25, 1 John 1:7, 1 Pet 3:18). We can, therefore, either choose to receive the gift of salvation, or reject it (Josh 24:15, Rom 10:9-10, Mark 8:34).
