Are you saying that the Adam that
symbolizes the first human in an evolutionary is also the same man who is
understood to be a Manifestation (the first?) of God?
Dear Jeanne,
The term Adam literally means 'man.' Keep in mind that our Writings speak of man as being the microcosm of the universe in that he expresses all the names and attributes of God:
"Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is a direct evidence of the revelation within it of the attributes and names of God, inasmuch as within every atom are enshrined the signs that bear eloquent testimony to the revelation of that Most Great Light. Methinks, but for the potency of that revelation, no being could ever exist. How resplendent the luminaries of knowledge that shine in an atom, and how vast the oceans of wisdom that surge within a drop! To a supreme degree is this true of man, who, among all created things, hath been invested with the robe of such gifts, and hath been singled out for the glory of such distinction. For in him are potentially revealed all the attributes and names of God to a degree that no other created being hath excelled or surpassed. All these names and attributes are applicable to him."
But ultimately these are fully expressed on in the Manifestation:
"Man, the noblest and most perfect of all created things, excelleth them all in the intensity of this revelation, and is a fuller _expression_ of its glory. And of all men, the most accomplished, the most distinguished, and the most excellent are the Manifestations of the Sun of Truth. Nay, all else besides these Manifestations, live by the operation of Their Will, and move and have their being through the outpourings of Their grace." Gleanings XC
So ultimately the original man is also a Manifestation, hence Adam.
Additionally, I am
not sure that I am clear on what is meant by the Story of Eden being a
metaphor. When you say that Adam symbolizes the first man and symbolizes
the first Manifestation of God, are you also saying that there was no "flesh
and blood" human male named Adam who actually walked the earth?
That I wouldn't know. But whether or not there was a historical man called Adam, the stories about Him are all true. ;-}
warmest, Susan
P.S. For Susan B. Don't Jews see themselves as 'white folks'?
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