Grace Institute: Systematic Theology: Anthropology: Imago Dei

Anthropology Grace Institute for Biblical Leadership Winter 2006

[Previous: The Human Constitution]

Imago Dei (Genesis 1-2)

The Image (Genesis 1, 2)

In contemplating the culmination of his creation, God says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” Somehow, we as humans, reflect the image of God. This is what David was speaking of in Psalm 8 when he stated that man is “a little lower than God.” We bear the image of God, much in the same way that a child might bear the image of his or her parents.

The creation of man was unique in this regard. No other creature is said to bear the creator's image. Even the specifics of the creation are unique. Up that point God spoke things into existence. Now, with man, God forms man out of pre-existing materials, and very uniquely, in a very intimate, deliberate act, breaths life itself into the body. (Genesis 2)

But what exactly does this mean? What is it in our make up which makes us like God? There is a great deal of debate as to exactly what this means. Here are a few possibilities of what it means to be an image bearer:

Physical Body

We are physical beings. As we saw in Genesis 2, man has been made with a physical body comprised of the elements of the earth.

While one extreme view might actually say we look physically like God, this can not be true completely, in that we know that God is spirit (John 4:24). Yet, we do know that Jesus was God in human flesh. We see in the Old Testament that God (very likely the second person of the Trinity), taking on our form. Further, Jesus, in his present glorified state, has a glorified body. Perhaps our body does indeed reflect something of the element of physicality possessed by the Son [1]. Nonetheless, this certainly does not encompass all that being made in the likeness of God does, for even the animals have physical bodies.

Rationality

The clearest distinction between the animals and us is our ability to think. Humans have the capability to not merely perceive reality, but make judgments about reality, contemplate reality, imagine alternative realities, and communicate these realities. God has made man a rational being [2]. God himself is also rational (Colossians 2:3).

Yet this is not the fullness of being like God, for other beings have an apparent rationality. The angels, and Satan, himself have the ability to reason. An even more compelling argument that our rationality is not what solely defines our image of God is presented by Barry Striker:

Furthermore, to accept this interpretation fully is to suggest that persons with higher levels of intelligence or more astute powers of reason would be able to relate to God on a higher level. Scripture knows of no such distinction. All are created in God's image [3].

Freedom

God has given man the ability to choose what to do. We have the ability to determine our own course in life, from the mundane selection of clothing in the morning, to the critical decision of whether or not to follow God. Animals do not possess this freedom. Angels are very limited in their freedom. But man can chose his own course. The caveats of this freedom are that man, by choosing to follow God of his own free will, has the ability to have an intimacy with God on a level deeper than any other creature.

Relational

The image of God is tied solely to a human's relationship to God. Man was created to be in relationship with God. Before the fall, man, it seems, frequently met and “walked” with God (Genesis 3:8). The whole of scripture is a picture of God seeking to have that intimacy with man.

This view focuses only on a human's relationship to God and does not ask what enables a human to have that relationship, which is a substantive issue. Furthermore, it assumes then, that those outside of relationship with God do not bear his image.

Dominion over Creation

The image of God is found in the role as lord over the earth and in humanity's dominion over the earth. Both Psalm 8 and Genesis 1 connect the likeness of God in man to his dominion over creation. We are uniquely set up as beings with the capacity and responsibility to rule over this world. We are like God in that we have an element of sovereignty over this world.

As image bearers, we also have the ability and right to exercise dominion over creation, continuing to bring order to God's creation. The beauty of manmade objects then, is an extension of the creativity of God. Architecture, engineering, art, and other acts of creativity are part of the blessing that comes from being image bearers, and reflects our dominion over the rest of creation. While humanity has the right to subdue nature, we must ensure that we are wise stewards of that God-given right.

However, the exercise of dominion is a consequence of the image and should not be equated it with the image itself. Humans exercise dominion and creativity because we bear the image of God in the substance of our being. We don't obtain God's image by exercising dominion or creativity.

Male and Female

Genesis 1:27 shows that both Male and Female were together made in God's image. The details of this creation in Chapter 2 emphasize the equality of male and female. Here we learn that the male was made first, and the verdict was that this creation was not good (Genesis 2:18). Only after female was formed (again in a specific direct formation from pre-existing materials) did God pronounce that His creation was "very good."

Without male and female together, man is incomplete (1 Corinthians 1:11). Apart from each other the image is incomplete. The unity of marriage reflects the unity of God, and is more able to carry out God's direction together. [4]

One of the primary ways marriage reflects the image of God is in child bearing. As image bearers, we have the ability to reproduce the image of God, filling the earth with the image of God. God wants to use humanity as a primary offensive strategy to promote His agenda on the earth. In other words, godly families who continually create offspring who reflect God's image are the front line method of infiltrating and controlling creation. That is why God places such importance on family.

To be made in the image of God, then, has elements of each of these things. But at the core, all humans contain an image of God which is unique to humanity and which separate humans from other sentient beings such as animals or angels.

Footnotes

1. Dr. Patrick Taylor, in a lecture given March 1996, Institute of Christian Discipleship, Grace Community Fellowship.
2. Allen, 155.
3. Barry Striker. “Anthropology.” Holeman Bible Dictionary for Windows . (Parsons Technology, 1991).
4. "God's Purpose for Oneness." Family Life Marriage Conference . (Little Rock AR: Family Life Ministries), 31.

[Next: The Fall & Redemption of Humanity]