A quick post... and a book review

I want you to know that I was already in bed when I remembered that I made a promise (of sorts) to blog every day... so here I am, back in the office, posting away!

I just finished reading this book



and I have to say that it was definitely a worthwhile read! For some reason I passed it by several times I saw it recommended... but when my husband emailed me and suggested it as well, I decided it was time to read it.

I must say it prompted many questions... and I can't say I have the answer to them, of course. For example (and if anyone knows the answer to this, I would greatly appreciate being pointed in the right direction!) I know that men are created in the image of God. Does that mean that angels are not? And if so, what do we have that they don't?

This question was brought about in my mind after reading that some of the early Church fathers concluded that Satan fell due to his "envy" of humans. Some say that he rebelled against the thought that God would one day become Incarnate... others that he was upset over the dominion we were given over the material world. I had always heard that he rebelled because he thought he was equal in some sense to God, and in his pride sinned; however, envy is also mentioned (in regard to humanity) and that opened up a floodgate of wondering for me as I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry.

Is it true that we are made in the image of God in a way that angels are not? And if so, what is it?

Looking in the catechism, I can't say I found the answer that I was looking for, exactly, but I did find that:

God created everything for man,²²² but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him: 

What is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such honor? It is man that great and wonderful living creature, more precious in the eyes of God than all other creatures! For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist. God attached so much importance to his salvation that he did not spare his own Son for the sake of man. Nor does he ever cease to work, trying every possible means, until he has raised man up to himself and made him sit at his right hand.²²³

 

Did you catch that? "God created everything for man...", "For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist..."

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them^f with glory and honor.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their^g feet: (Psalm 8:4-6)

Who are we that we would be created with such dignity?  I have spent the day in awe, that God would even begin to grace those "hairless bipeds" (as Screwtape calls us in The Screwtape Letters) with that sort of favor.

I can't even begin to do justice to the thoughts and questions that arose after reading this book, so I will just say that I highly recommend it to all. 

Good night!