In the book of Genesis of the Old Testament, it is written that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, the lights, the waters, the stars, the great sea creatures, livestock, reptiles, and beasts of the earth (ESV Study Bible, Genesis 1:1-24). Finally, «God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Likewise, man became creator and he too built great things. From the glorious civilizations of the past and present to the splendor of churches, history bears witness to the creations of man. But, asks the poet, have you then founded your thrones and your altars on the bodies and souls of living men? And do you think that that building will last, that it protects the nobles and crushes the poor? (Lowell 25-28). These lines, taken from James Russell Lowell's poem, “A Parable,” imply that the oppression of the poor and weak, at the hands of the rich and powerful, leads to the destruction of a nation. Inspired by Lowell's poetry and convinced of his Christian morality, Jacob Riis, a late 19th-century social reformer, published How the Other Half Lives (1890) so he could expose the plight of the weak and encourage reform of conditions of life of the citizens of New York. poor. Filled with biblical imagery, How the Other Half Lives refers to the Genesis creation story from the first chapter, “Tension Genesis.” Initially a “blessing” for New York's working poor, man created the rental home in response to the combined demands of industrialization, immigration, and urbanization (5). However, unprecedented population growth put a strain on limited housing resources and before long the wealthy took advantage...... middle of paper ......tian caring for his fellow man is a reflection of how God himself takes care of his fellow men. Ultimately, whether or not one subscribes to Jacob Riis' religious beliefs is irrelevant, because his message remains applicable to all. Works Cited Davis, Kay. "Photographs and lectures with lantern". Documenting “The Other Half” The social reform photography of Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine. University of Virginia. 2000-2003. Network. September 30, 2011. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 2001. Print.Lowell, James Russell. “A parable”. The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of Social Protest Literature. Ed. Upton Sinclair. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Co., 1915. Bartleby.com Great Books Online. Network. September 30, 2011.Riis, Jacob. How the other half lives. New York: Dover Publications, 1971.Print.