Imago Dei

[killbourne]

Hey, this is something I've been thinking about because it's come up in a few classes. As human beings we are created in the image of God. What does this mean? It seems that as long as something can be remotely related to God's character than we claim that it comes from us being made in His image. It seems to me that this is pretty important since

Comments

Good topic!

[sirk_nalnick]

I could give the usual ideas on this (our differences from other animals), I like these ideas, (desire to create, inborn conscience, etc.) but I think we are all going to be quite amazed when we see God in eternity, and we realize that God, does in fact, look just like us!

I know that raises all kinds of issues and problems and that's why people want to avoid the obvious interpretation (is God jewish, black, white, asian, man?) I don't know. Why would God need a human looking body? I don't know. Could God trip and break His ankle. I don't know; but I doubt it. I choose to take the bible literally, unless compelled not to. The bible says that God created man in his likeness (image). That means that we resemble God. There it is. I know that God is spirit, but we also know that Jesus was the image of the invisible God. Invisible to us now, but in eternity we will see him quite well; and this question will be answered along will all the others.

[cool_mums_rock]

...lol...I don't think God could trip and break His ankle because he is perfect, first of all, He wouldn't trip...LOl. But I agree that when the Bible says that we were made in the image of God, that literally, we resemble God. But I think it goes beyond the outward appearance to the point where being made in God's image also gives us a need for Him. We were created with a need to be filled by Him...a need to know Him...a need to seek Him. Not everyone seeks God, but they do seek to fulfill that need, not realizing that that need they are trying to fill with other things is what God put there to be filled by Him!

Anything in us that resembles God's character I believe is simply Christ living through us. The Holy Spirit who indwells us helps us to walk in the ways of God...each time that we choose God's way over Satan's way (our flesh) we allow God to build a little more of the character of Christ in us.

[cool_mums_rock]

"Why would God need a human looking body?" I don't think God has a human-looking body...it's the opposite...WE were made in GOD's image...we look like Him!! Sin changed, perverted our God-image...but Christ provided a way back...salvation...restoring the relationship and allowing us to be the mirror image of Christ. It is not about us at all! It's totally about Christ being seen through us!

[cool_mums_rock]

..one more comment,,,it could very well be that the image that God is talking about is not physical at all...but a heart issue! Are our actions, our hearts, our character...the image of God.

[cool_mums_rock]

I'm very curious about something...how do you post a new subject on this community? I have looked and looked, but can't seem to find a way to post a new discussion....

[killbourne]

Write like you're going to post on your lj. At the bottom of the text box there should be a "post to:" option. If you've joined this group you should be able to select it from the drop-down list. At least that's how I did it. I don't know if there's a more obvious way.

[cool_mums_rock]

Thanks, that worked! I didn't realize you had an option of where you wanted to "post to" :o)