Topical Bible: Man: Received Dominion Over Other Creatures

◄ Man: Received Dominion Over Other Creatures ►

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The concept of man's dominion over other creatures is rooted in the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis. According to the biblical account, God created man in His own image and bestowed upon him a unique role and responsibility over the rest of creation. This dominion is not merely a privilege but a divine mandate that underscores humanity's stewardship and governance over the earth and its inhabitants.

Creation and Dominion Mandate

The foundational scripture for understanding man's dominion is Genesis 1:26-28. In this passage, God declares His intention to create man and grants him authority over all living creatures:

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" (Genesis 1:26-28)

This passage highlights several key aspects of man's dominion:

1. Image of God: Man's dominion is intrinsically linked to being made in the image of God. This likeness implies a reflection of God's authority, creativity, and moral responsibility.

2. Comprehensive Authority: The scope of man's dominion is extensive, covering all forms of life, including fish, birds, livestock, and every creature that moves on the earth.

3. Stewardship and Responsibility: The command to "subdue" the earth and "rule" over its creatures suggests a role of stewardship. Man is to manage and care for creation, ensuring its flourishing and sustainability.

Theological Implications

The dominion mandate carries significant theological implications. It establishes a hierarchy within creation, with man positioned as a steward under God's ultimate authority. This stewardship is not to be exercised tyrannically but with wisdom, care, and respect for God's creation.

Post-Fall Considerations

The fall of man, as described in Genesis 3, introduced sin and its consequences into the world, affecting the nature of man's dominion. The harmonious relationship between man and creation was disrupted, leading to toil and struggle. Despite this, the mandate to exercise dominion remains, albeit in a fallen world where redemption and restoration are necessary.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament reaffirms the concept of dominion, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Christ, the image of God is perfectly restored, and through Him, believers are called to reflect God's character in their stewardship of creation. Romans 8:19-21 speaks of creation's eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God, indicating a future restoration where man's dominion will be fully realized in harmony with God's original design.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the dominion mandate calls for responsible environmental stewardship, ethical treatment of animals, and sustainable use of natural resources. It challenges believers to engage in practices that honor God and reflect His care for all He has made.

In summary, the biblical teaching on man's dominion over other creatures is a profound aspect of the creation narrative, emphasizing humanity's unique role as God's stewards on earth. This dominion is to be exercised with a sense of responsibility, reflecting the character and purposes of the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 8:6-8
You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is Natural for Man to Possess External Things?
... For this reason man has a natural dominion over things, as ... Reply to Objection 2:
The rich man is reproved ... principally, as though he had not received them from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is natural for.htm

Rome, Socinus, Arminius, Calvin.
... the original righteousness, and gave him dominion over all other ... who, as they taught,
was born a mere man. ... Jesus, who, after His Resurrection, received of the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi rome socinus arminius calvin.htm

On the Lordship or Dominion of God
... to whom chiefly we treat on the dominion and power ... annexed to the confederation,
that if man be unmindful ... on the good which the creature has received from his ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxvii on the lordship.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... of the duty; for out of those man thousands that ... reminded him of the favors he had
received, as so ... You may, indeed, let other lords have dominion over you, and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

Essay
... would his insinuations have been received, we may ... us to two reflections: First, man,
who has ... so excellent, and has dominion over other creatures, should act ...
/.../an essay on the mosaic account of the creation and fall of man/essay.htm

A Community Rests Upon Justice and Good-Will. ...
... no one, except when driven to it by wrongs received. ... after our likeness, and let
them have dominion over the fish of ... meet for him." [197] For one man could not ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxviii a community rests.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... the nature, but which had assumed dominion over the whole ... was propounded as a law,
to be received both as ... as a covenant; the acceptance of it engaged man to it ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Glorious Predestination
... He came unto his own, and his own received him not ... we, the men who are made in his
image, have dominion over all things ... It is a great honor to any man to be like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/glorious predestination.htm

The General Deliverance
... the earth." (Gen.1:28.) And so the Psalmist: "Thou madest him to have dominion over
the works of ... For they had gratitude to man for benefits received, and a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

Concerning Man.
... of the grace of the Creator, of which grace it has received both its ... And so man is
a microcosm ... For these are not under the dominion of reason but under that of ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xii concerning man.htm