Man has dominion

[kross]

The other day I read a post from someone who stated that man has been given dominion over the Earth.

The read as if the person felt that GOD had given man control over what happens here and HE was just taking care of Heaven.

I was wondering if there are Christians that believe this or if I just read into the post?

Thanks.

[Iryssa]

I would actually take it that this person meant that man has sovereingty over animals and plants and that sort of thing, meaning we have a kind of priority over the rest of creation. I don't think it has anything to with God not being in control or relinquishing all His power over the earth. But we are stewards over the rest of creation, if you will. Still under God, and God is still sovereign over all.

I hope I'm explaining that right...my brain is kinda fuzzy from lack of sleep right now.

[Iryssa]

(just wanted to add that I'm merely speculating on this person's position...without seeing the original post, all I'm really going on is the statement "man has been given dominion over the earth," no more or less)

[KC02]

Speculation is good! It gets us thinking and hopefully searching the Word.

First off, this is an excellent question! What is man's vs. God's (mysterious) Kingdom.

Let's define God's Kingdom: God's will and God's rule [in the earth].

I have a book, Creation Regained by Abert Wolters. It teaches the fundamentals of the Christian worldview (creation-fall-redemption). Not much new information, but the most fascinating thing taught in this book is about God's Kingdom. From the author's perspective, God's Kingdom is presently breaking through in the earthly kingdom. Jesus came to initiate God's Kingdom. Jesus promised that His Kingdom would grow. The meaning is not crystal clear (to me anyway).

I used to think that God was sitting on a throne far away and the world was on auto-pilot. But think that every person saved, every person healed, and every person touched by God proves that God is still in the earth. He is still in the miracle working business. His Kingdom is still breaking through in our day-to-day lives and this evil world.

If someone thinks otherwise, they need to get saved. We are as close to God as we want to be.

(just wanted to add that I'm merely speculating on this person's position...without seeing the original post, all I'm really going on is the statement "man has been given dominion over the earth," no more or less)

[Poindexter]

The other day I read a post from someone who stated that man has been given dominion over the Earth.

The read as if the person felt that GOD had given man control over what happens here and HE was just taking care of Heaven.

I was wondering if there are Christians that believe this or if I just read into the post?

Thanks.

At the fall, man kinda lost it. Even the plants have dominion over men now. Corn, rye, cannabis, poppies etc...drinking and smoking all the way to hellish nightmares.

[Wayfarer122]

As a layperson I always took it to mean that we are responsible for the earth, animals, and plants that God as given us. In short, we are to be good stewards.

[KC02]

Even the plants have dominion over men now. Corn, rye, cannabis, poppies etc...drinking and smoking all the way to hellish nightmares.

Wow. That is true. I have never thought about it like that.

[Guest LadyC]

i believe God has given us dominion over the earth. that doesn't mean that God is unconcerned about what goes on here on our planet, it means that He has given us the authority and the responsibility for this world.

a MAJOR part of that responsibility is seeking God... God is in control only as much as we allow Him to be. God will get us out of any mess we get ourselves into, personally, nationally or globally, IF WE ASK for God's help and submit to His will. if we don't, God will allow us to suffer the consequences of our own stupidity.

so bottom line is, humans having dominion does not count God out of the equation, it lays a heavy responsibility on our shoulders to actively seek God's direction. God's not running the show, but He will intervene if we pray.

as a nation, we seem to be failing miserably.

[Floatingaxe]

The other day I read a post from someone who stated that man has been given dominion over the Earth.

The read as if the person felt that GOD had given man control over what happens here and HE was just taking care of Heaven.

I was wondering if there are Christians that believe this or if I just read into the post?

Thanks.

In think that could have been me.

God gave mankind sovereignty over his will, and dominion over earth. God will never intervene unless a man invites Him in prayer. That is why we are admonished by Jesus that a man ought to pray always. Otherwise, God's hands are tied.

God isn't JUST taking care of heaven. That is a limited view of God. But God allows mankind to make his decisions without Him if he so chooses...and they do it all the time. Hence the mess this planet and its societies are in.

Luke 18:1

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

[WayneB]

A passage of Scripture comes to mind...

Isaiah 59

1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,

nor his ear too dull to hear.

2 But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear.