| The nature of men and women—how
they came to be, what happened to change them from having been created "very
good" (Gen. 1:31), their restoration, and their ultimate destiny—is
becoming increasingly important as we near the second coming of Christ. Much
confusion exists about this important subject, and it is the purpose of this
quarter's guide to focus on what the Scripture teaches.
Humankind did not spring out of nature by some natural evolutionary process,
for according to Genesis, the creation of human beings is attributed directly
to God. Men and women were created and formed by Him (Gen. 1:27; 2:7, 8).
Also, while the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Elohim, plural for God)
were involved in the creation process (Gen. 1:2, 26), Jesus was more directly
involved. "All things were made through Him (John 1:3, NKJV).
Even though there exists a close relationship between humans and nature,
in contrast, humans were created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), distinct
and unique, with the capacity to "think God's thoughts after Him"
(Education, p. 17). People were of more value to Jesus than the birds
and the beasts (Matt. 10:3 1; 12:12). He saw them as sons and daughters of
God first by creation (Luke 3:3 8) and then by redemption (John 1: 12; 3:16).
Satan deceived our first parents by using the serpent to lie about God (Gen.
3:1-5). He continues to lie about our loving God and uses any means he can
to lead us to doubt His love. But Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn
it. Furthermore, Satan lied to our first parents about their destiny. He
told them that they would not die (Gen. 3:4). This was the beginning of the
belief in the immortality of the soul and opened the door to such evils as
spiritualism.
As we near the coming of Christ, Satan will intensify his efforts to deceive
(Rev. 12:12) and to deceive even the very elect (Matt. 24:24). Jesus' warning,
"See, I have told you beforehand" (Matt. 24:25, NKJV), must be taken seriously.
It is the context of the great controversy that makes this quarter's topic
so important.
"Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power
and freedom to think and to do.... When our first parents disobeyed God ...
the image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their
descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born
with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the
world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image
of their Maker."—"Fundamental Beliefs, 7." Quoted in Seventh-day
Adventists Believe . . . A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines,
edited under the direction of the Ministerial Association of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1988), p. 78.
Contents: (no
frames)
Meet the Principal Contributor
to This Quarter's Lessons
 Dr.
Jack J. Blanco graduated with a B.A. from Union College; with an M.A. and
M.Div. from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary; with an M.Th.
from Princeton Theological Seminary; and with a Th.D. from the University
of South Africa. During his career, he has served as pastoral assistant,
pastor, and evangelistic coordinator, working in the Potomac, New Jersey,
Georgia-Cumberland, and Southeastern California conferences.
He chaired the theology departments at Solusi College, the graduate program
at Philippine Union College, and taught theology at Columbia Union College,
where he also served as academic dean. He also served as an associate editor
of the Review and Herald. At the time of this writing he served as
holder of the Ellen G. White Memorial Chair in Religion and as dean of the
School of Religion at Southern Adventist University. He has written articles
for Adventist Review, Ministry, and The Journal of the Adventist
Theological Society. His best-known work is The Clear Word (An Expanded
Paraphrase of the Bible to Nurture Faith and Growth).
During World War 11, Dr. Blanco spent three years in a German labor camp,
returning home to the U.S. weighing only 80 pounds. During the Korean War
he served in the United States Air Force. Dr. Blanco enjoys almost any kind
of exercise, especially hiking and waterskiing. He is an avid reader. His
hobbies include specialized stamp collecting from times of answered prayer
or other significant experiences in his life and rock collecting from places
geographically connected with the Bible or with Adventist mission work. Dr.
and Mrs. Blanco have two children and two grandchildren.
Giardina Sabbath School
Study Helps
Jerry Giardina of Houston, Texas, prepares a series of helps to accompany
the Sabbath School lesson. He includes all related scripture and most EGW
quotations. These are provided in three wordprocessing versions
Wordperfect;
Microsoft Word;
RFT for our MAC friends; and
HTML (Web Pages).
Last updated on April 2, 1999
Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
Principal Contributor: Jack J. Blanco.
Editor: Philip G. Samaan.
Associate Editor: Lyndelle Brower Chiomenti.
Editorial Assistant: Soraya Homayouni Parish.
Art and Design: Lars Justinen.
Pacific Press Coordinator: Glen Robinson.
Copyright © 1999 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist.
All Rights Reserved.
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