The Image and Anti-Image

In Chapter two of his book, Benjamin Gladd digs deeper into the consequences of the fall of mankind. He notes that Genesis 4-5 is paradigmatic for how the godly line of man and the ungodly line begin to interact with one another and fulfill the promise of Genesis 3:15. Cain becomes the poster-child for what Gladd calls the "anti-image" of God. God, according to Genesis 1-2, constructs a cosmic temple, so it's not surprising that those in his image do the same. "But Cain perverts his God-given responsibility as a priest and instead of building a city that brings glory to God's name, he builds a city for the glory of his son Enoch. The habits of the anti-image are beginning to take root."

Gladd goes on to show how the fallen images and redeemed images engage in the world. I find it interesting to see the power of God's image in man and how he enables us to be like him in many ways; on the flip side, how we can use those abilities to work against that image:

"Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. Zillah also had a son...who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron" (Genesis 4:20-22). Humanity is beginning to understand and interact with the created order in new and exciting ways. Here we see the development of farming, music, and manufacturing processes. Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 2:15 somehow linger in the background of these verses. Despite the fall, humanity still possesses God's image. We are created to understand and engage the world around us. Yet, Lamech's wickedness in Genesis 4:23-24 demonstrates that fallen humanity will always contort and pervert the divine calling. Daniel Migliore puts his finger on this tension when he writes, "We human beings are a mystery to ourselves. We are rational and irrational, civilized and savage, capable of deep friendship and murderous hostility, free and in bondage, the pinnacle of creation and its greatest danger."

Not only do I see this tension in all of mankind, but in myself.