IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON September 1, 2008 Issue

MEN AND WOMEN: GOD-CENTERED AND GOD-CONNECTED

HELEN MATHIS

THIS WEEK'S Christian Science Bible Lesson on "Man" mirrors the Bible itself, in that the Lesson begins with the first book of the Bible (Genesis), and ends with its last book (Revelation). Also like the Bible, the Lesson begins and ends on the subject of creation—opening (in Bible citation 3) with the Genesis 1 account of creation and closing (in citation 16) with the "new heaven and new earth" of Revelation 21.

Man (the generic term includes all men and women) plays a central role in both creations. In Section I, God creates man in the divine "image" and gives him dominion over every living thing that moves upon the earth (Gen. 1:28, cit. 3). In Section VI, the relationship between God and man spiritually co-de-pendent: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev.21:3, cit. 16).

I've always been challenged by the conventional concept of man having "dominion over" all creation and subduing it. This sounds to a modern ear like God is turning man into a "lord-man" with carte blanche to take over every created thing. In recent centuries some people have turned to these Bible verses to sanction their inclination to exploit nature. Throughout recorded history, it seems that no sooner has God created everything "very good," then the exploiting mentality has asked, "Good for what?"

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