In examining the creation account of Adam in Genesis 2, one is struck by the distinction made between his creation and that of animals. Of Adam alone, it is said that “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and Adam became of living soul.” There is no indication that God breathed into the nostrils of an ox or a dog, but He did so for man. The text says Adam received special attention from the Creator God not enjoyed by other biological species. In fact, all throughout Scripture, the fact of man being special, superior, to all other created beings is obvious. Man alone bears the fingerprints of God in a way no other created being does. He alone is said to be created in the image and likeness of God. This dramatically sets him apart from the remainder of creation. Additionally, his creation came with a God-given supremacy over all else God had created. He was told to exercise dominion over the earth, to dominate the planet in an official headship role delegated to him by God.
Adam’s origin was different from all else created, and his rank and purpose were different as well. But, back to his origin, when God breathed into Adam’s nostrils, how did He do that? It does not say God put breath into Adam’s nostrils but God breathed into them. Does God have a mouth? Did God perform CPR on Adam? We’ve noted that God is Spirit, a non-physical being as opposed to materiality. So, what were the mechanics of this once-in-all of creation event?
We’ve also addressed the issue of anthropomorphism, anthropopathisms regarding God. They are literary tools used throughout Scripture assigning human physical characteristics to God as well as human emotions to God when, in reality, God has neither. These literary tools are language of accommodation designed to communicate to mere mortals in a way we can understand. God condescends to us in using our terminology when speaking of Himself because there is no communication or comprehension if He doesn’t. God is Spirit, not physical; Christ informs us in John 4. So, how do we account for clear literal inferences attributed to God in His breathing into Adam? If God is Spirit, not having a physical body, how did this occur? One might suggest it was via the Christophany. The what? The Christophany. It literally means “Christ appearing” or “the appearance of Christ”. In Genesis? How could that be? Jesus Christ doesn’t appear in Scripture until the New Testament. But, let’s not forget, Christ, as the Son of God, did not begin in Bethlehem. He always was with the Father and Spirit, with whom He dwelt in eternity. It was Christ, the Son of Man, who began in Bethlehem born of Mary. Are we saying Christ, as the Son of God, made entrance upon the earth and related to people long before His physical birth in Bethlehem? Precisely. We shall see upcoming. God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
CC-08-08
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