Meaning of the Hebrew Word Adam - Assignment Example

Name: xxxxxxxxxxx Course: xxxxxxxxxxx Institution: xxxxxxxxxxx Title: Meaning of the Hebrew word ‘Adam’ Date: xxxxxxxxxxxxx Meaning of the Hebrew word ‘Adam’ in Gen 1-4 and Roman 5:12-20 Question 1 Adam was the first human being to be created by God. He was created in the image and likeness of God. He possessed a body, soul and spirit. God bestowed upon him the authority over all that he had created on the earth. He was to rule and have dominion over all the earthly creation. However, god gave him a warning to eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. Unfortunately, Adam disobeyed and was kicked outside the Garden of Eden. This marked the beginning of the fall of man. In the Hebrew context, Adam represents the human nature of not being contented with their own being (Bradshaw 2005, p.18). It was due to the lack of contentment with his being that led him away from the instructions given to him by God. Adam brings out the human quest to try and become more that what our human nature allows us to be. It is as a result of the human quest that man fell into the bondage of sin. It can be argued that the turmoil has its source from this (Bradshaw 2005, p.18). Adam represents the element of human pride in his quest to become more than human. This desire of a false self leads man to destruction. Adam’s true identity before the fall of man represents true and authentic self. Though Adam was naked, he was at peace with himself and everything around him. He had no feeling of shame and lack of self worth. It is at this state that man displays his perfect self by bringing out his true and honest self (Bradshaw, 2005 p.18). Adam’s nature as brought out in Genesis 1-4 depicts the true human condition. Even under perfect conditions, man seems incapable of accepting himself. His ability to offer unconditional love and unwavering commitment seems hard to attain. In failing to accept our true identity we try to acquire a more powerful but false self. If this fails, we end up losing this true identity and settle for a state that less human. This is what results to a life full of secrecy and hiding. It is this state of secrecy and cover-up that leads to human struggle and suffering. In losing our honest and true self we become disoriented with life and this contributes to our state of suffering (Bradshaw 2005, p-19). In the book of Genesis, Adam also represents the beginning and source of the problems that subdue the human race. His failure to adhere to the directions given to him by his creator ushered man to a new era of struggle and suffering. The first Adam (as depicted in Genesis) symbolizes the start of this fall while second Adam (as depicted in Romans) comes to the rescue of the human race. The first Adam is seen as the problem while the second Adam is the source to this problem (Murdoch 2000, p.2). Christ (second Adam) works to redeem man from his current state of suffering. His key focus being to restore man back to his initial status of perfection and self worth. It is interesting to note that through the failure of the first Adam suffering spread to the whole of the human race. This suffering has been the source of man’s lack of happiness and fulfilment in life. The problem of the fall of the first Adam does not only affect the human race but also affected the rest of the creation (Smith Jr 2007, p.75). However, Paul argues that through the obedience of the second Adam the solution to the untold suffering of the man will be found. The act of obedience of the second Adam brings the redemption that is needed for the salvation of the world. Therefore, the problem and the solution of human suffering lies between the first and Adam. Human destiny finds its fulfilment in the obedience of Christ (second Adam) through his death and resurrection. This is in clear contrast to the first Adam’s who actually brought death and suffering to the human race by being disobedient. This disobedience of the first Adam has brought death and suffering while the obedience of the second Adam though death and resurrection has brought redemption. This problem of death brought about by the first Adam finds its solution in the resurrection of the second Adam. In Romans, Paul is making this argument to Jewish audiences who have a clear background understanding of this first Adam based on Genesis 1-4 (Pannenberg 1977, p.196). In order to bring out a clear perspective for argument he is presenting, he chooses to identify Jesus Christ as the second Adam. Based on this the audience can clearly understand and appreciate all the benefits the second Adam brings to the human race. With this clearly etched in the minds of the audience, he proceeds to build the picture of a man reconciled to God, the prototype of the true human identity (Pannenberg 1977, p.196). Paul is basically building and expanding the concept that the resurrected Christ is the ideal heavenly man that holds the key to the redemption of the whole world. Jesus is the man who is in favour with God through his act of obedience and the acceptance of the fate that before him. Through his resurrection there is a rebirth of a new life to the human race. Question 2 Historical criticism involves carefully examining the history in the text as well as the history of the text in question (Hayes & Holladay 1987, p.60). When we carefully examine Romans 5: 12-20, we see that Paul is presenting his argument on the personality of the Jesus Christ (second Adam) to the Jews by bringing into memory the history of the first Adam. The Jews are already aware through their historical writings about the existence of the first Adam. This Historical perspective helps the audience to understand well the benefits of the Risen Christ. It gives a chronology of events since the fall of the first Adam that follow and lead to the redemption of mankind by the second Adam. We are able to see and visualize the origin of sin, the effects it brought to the world and the plan of God to redeem and save mankind. It also helps us understand the plan of redemption and how this plan was executed. Historical criticism also helps us understand the religious challenges that Paul was facing at the time while he was spreading the gospel. However Grammatical criticism involves analysing a particular text by looking at the language used (Hayes &Holladay, 1987 p.60). The choice of words employed in the biblical text mentioned above assists us to understand the gravity of the first Adam’s fall. For example, the use of the word ‘all men’ in Romans 5:12 helps us understand that the disobedience of the first Adam affected the whole of humanity. The consequences of his act of disobedience were not limited to himself but also spread its ugly stain of sin to the rest of humanity. Paul’s choice of words presents a smooth transition of events which helps the reader clearly understand and appreciate the message which he is trying to pass. Our careful study of such words as sin, death, transgression, and condemnation help us to understand the intensity of man’s fall from grace and the resulting repercussions. On the other hand, the use of words like, justification, righteousness, ’abundance of grace’ and reconciliation bring to light the benefits brought by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (second Adam). However, one weakness to the use of the grammatical approach is its difficult to completely understand the argument presented by Paul by simply analysis the grammar in the text. You need to employ more than one approach in order to grasp the bigger picture. Literary Criticism involves the study of the matters relating to the text itself include its author and other aspects of the language and content. It revolves around identifying and examining the other source matter identified by the text (Hayes & Holladay 1987, p, 73). A good example of this approach is in Romans 5:12, 14 where Paul appears to have referred to Genesis 1-4. The reader can now carefully examine these two sources and clearly understanding the message being relayed by Paul. This is especially helpful for a reader who is not familiar with the story of the first Adam as presented in Genesis 1-4. Paul also makes mention of Moses and this would also interest the readers to carefully examine the writings on Moses in order to have the whole picture of the message. This approach helps the reader identify the unity of the bible. However its limitation is that one cannot simply read the text and draw the conclusions but they have to carefully go through all the other sources before coming to a conclusion (Murphy 2000, p 13). Canonical Criticism it’s a way of interpreting the bible by examining the text and determining its meaning today rather than how it was understood at the time of writing. It is a more recent approach to the world of bible interpretation. Canonical Criticism it’s a way of interpreting the bible by examining the text and determining its meaning today rather than how it was understood at the time of writing. It is a more recent approach to the world of bible interpretation. With this approach the reader can be able to interpret the text and see its relevance to the life of a believer today. The message in the bible is said to have internal value that transcends time. The manner in which Pauls writes creates a feeling that the message in the bible was not just meant for that generation alone but was also for the generations to come. This generates a greater interest to reader and assimilate the message there in. The choice of Paul’s words show that his message was meant to reach the generations to come. Therefore the subsequent generations can read and interpret the message with reference to their current situation as long as the interpretation is carried out within the context of the scripture itself. This will help us own up the message and take it as an admonition that Paul was presenting to us. For example, a Christian will be able to analyse the text in Romans 5:12-20 and see the relevance of accepting Christ into their lives. For them the bible seizes from being a book with rich history but a manual for their daily living. Nevertheless, this approach can be used only by those individuals who have already embraced its message. It does not leave any room for an independent reader or scholar. Therefore this approach cannot be used by individuals who do not subscribe to the message presented by its writers. Bibliography Bradshaw, J. 2005, Healing the Shame That Binds You, Health Communications, Inc, Florida. Hayes, H. & Holladay, R. 1987, Biblical exegesis: a beginner's handbook, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky. Murdoch, B. 2000, Adam’s Grace: Fall and Redemption in Medieval Literature, D.S.Brewer, Cambridge Murphy, A. 2000, The Comedy of Revelation: Paradise Lost and Regained in Biblical Narrative, T & T Clark ltd, New York. Pannenberg, W., 1977, Jesus God and Man, Westminster press, Philadelphia. Smith Jr, B. 2007, Cosmic and Universal Death from Adam’s Fall: An exegis of Romans, vol. 21 no. 1, viewed 29 January, 2011 Read More

The first Adam is seen as the problem while the second Adam is the source to this problem (Murdoch 2000, p.2). Christ (second Adam) works to redeem man from his current state of suffering. His key focus being to restore man back to his initial status of perfection and self worth. It is interesting to note that through the failure of the first Adam suffering spread to the whole of the human race. This suffering has been the source of man’s lack of happiness and fulfilment in life. The problem of the fall of the first Adam does not only affect the human race but also affected the rest of the creation (Smith Jr 2007, p.75). However, Paul argues that through the obedience of the second Adam the solution to the untold suffering of the man will be found.

The act of obedience of the second Adam brings the redemption that is needed for the salvation of the world. Therefore, the problem and the solution of human suffering lies between the first and Adam. Human destiny finds its fulfilment in the obedience of Christ (second Adam) through his death and resurrection. This is in clear contrast to the first Adam’s who actually brought death and suffering to the human race by being disobedient. This disobedience of the first Adam has brought death and suffering while the obedience of the second Adam though death and resurrection has brought redemption.

This problem of death brought about by the first Adam finds its solution in the resurrection of the second Adam. In Romans, Paul is making this argument to Jewish audiences who have a clear background understanding of this first Adam based on Genesis 1-4 (Pannenberg 1977, p.196). In order to bring out a clear perspective for argument he is presenting, he chooses to identify Jesus Christ as the second Adam. Based on this the audience can clearly understand and appreciate all the benefits the second Adam brings to the human race.

With this clearly etched in the minds of the audience, he proceeds to build the picture of a man reconciled to God, the prototype of the true human identity (Pannenberg 1977, p.196). Paul is basically building and expanding the concept that the resurrected Christ is the ideal heavenly man that holds the key to the redemption of the whole world. Jesus is the man who is in favour with God through his act of obedience and the acceptance of the fate that before him. Through his resurrection there is a rebirth of a new life to the human race.

Question 2 Historical criticism involves carefully examining the history in the text as well as the history of the text in question (Hayes & Holladay 1987, p.60). When we carefully examine Romans 5: 12-20, we see that Paul is presenting his argument on the personality of the Jesus Christ (second Adam) to the Jews by bringing into memory the history of the first Adam. The Jews are already aware through their historical writings about the existence of the first Adam. This Historical perspective helps the audience to understand well the benefits of the Risen Christ.

It gives a chronology of events since the fall of the first Adam that follow and lead to the redemption of mankind by the second Adam. We are able to see and visualize the origin of sin, the effects it brought to the world and the plan of God to redeem and save mankind. It also helps us understand the plan of redemption and how this plan was executed. Historical criticism also helps us understand the religious challenges that Paul was facing at the time while he was spreading the gospel. However Grammatical criticism involves analysing a particular text by looking at the language used (Hayes &Holladay, 1987 p.60). The choice of words employed in the biblical text mentioned above assists us to understand the gravity of the first Adam’s fall.

For example, the use of the word ‘all men’ in Romans 5:12 helps us understand that the disobedience of the first Adam affected the whole of humanity. The consequences of his act of disobedience were not limited to himself but also spread its ugly stain of sin to the rest of humanity.

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