Theology of the Body: lecture 2

[Ron Conte]

2. Biblical Account of Creation Analysed
http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb2.htm

There are two accounts of the creation of mankind.

One account emphasizes the sameness and equality of men and women, since we have the same human nature, which is made in God's image.

[Genesis]
{1:26} And he said: “Let us make Man to our image and likeness. And let him rule over the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the air, and the wild beasts, and the entire earth, and every animal that moves on the earth.”
{1:27} And God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him; male and female, he created them.

The second account emphasizes the differences in roles of men and women, which is less fundamental that our very nature, but still important to the plan of God.

{2:18} The Lord God also said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. Let us make a helper for him similar to himself.”
...
{2:21} And so the Lord God sent a deep sleep upon Adam. And when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and he completed it with flesh for it.
{2:22} And the Lord God built up the rib, which he took from Adam, into a woman. And he led her to Adam.
{2:23} And Adam said: “Now this is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh. This one shall be called woman, because she was taken from man.”

Eve was created to be a helper to Adam. Mary was created to be a helper to Christ. A wife has a different role in the family than a husband. The husband is the head of the family; the wife is the heart of the family. Ordained men have a different role in the Church than women have. Differences in roles are inherent to the human race as created by God, and this should show in the Church, the family, and in society in general.

[VKallin]

Nearly all life forms on earth exist in male and female species and there is typically a different role for the male and female. In this regard, man is much the same as all other life forms.

But we are created IN HIS IMAGE (within the soul) and we have been given free will. It seems to me that these are the qualities which establish man with dominion over all other life on earth.

[Climacus Areopagite]

"A cosmological character could especially be attributed to it. Man is created on earth together with the visible world. But at the same time the Creator orders him to subdue and have dominion over the earth (cf. Gn 1:2; therefore he is placed over the world. Even though man is strictly bound to the visible world, the biblical narrative does not speak of his likeness to the rest of creatures, but only to God. "God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him..." (Gn 1:27). In the seven day cycle of creation a precise graduated procedure is evident.(1) However, man is not created according to a natural succession. The Creator seems to halt before calling him into existence, as if he were pondering within himself to make a decision: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Gn 1:26)."

From these verses JPII is commenting on I think it is implicit that man's body has no direct evolutionary link to the high primates. I think its implied in these verses and the Faith. that the man's body was miraculously created independent of evolution, because he is created in God's image and likeness (and this refers first to the soul yet extends to his body since man is a totality of soul/body), he is set up as lord over the earth, he has a transcedent end of knowing and loving God. I think it is implied in these truths that man's body is an independent miraculous creation, albeit God did use the elements of the earth to form Adam's body, however this act is independent of the evolution of plants, and animals.

Plus we were made in the image and likeness of Christ who is God. His body was created miraculously independent of any natural processes (namely the usual way of conception). Adam is Christ's image created independent of any sort of natural process of evolution.

[Shane]

What is the relationship between male and female animals and male and female humans? Does the male/female distinction in animals reflect the way that humans were created by God?

[Ron Conte]

Originally Posted by Shane

What is the relationship between male and female animals and male and female humans? Does the male/female distinction in animals reflect the way that humans were created by God?

All creation is made in the image of God, to some extent. All that is created shows the goodness of God. However, human persons are made in the image of God in a manner and to an extent beyond that of animals, plants, and inanimate things. This is because men and women have an immortal soul, we have free will and reason.

The male/female distinction among animals is also a reflection of the goodness and wisdom of God, but not to the same extent as with human persons.