“Imitating the Diving Creator (Bearing the Image of God)”

Monday, March 30, 2020

God created us in His image and after His likeness.

What does that mean? Nowhere are we given an explicit definition of what it means to be made in the image of God.

The language “create man in our image and in our likeness” suggests that we share some affinity with God, that is we resemble God in some way. Because we lack an explicit definition of this, either in Genesis 1 or elsewhere, students of the Bible are left to infer what this might mean from the implications of the text. The inferences that have been drawn over the years range from the idea that we bear some physical resemblance to God, to the idea that we were created perfectly righteous, to the idea that we are embodied spirit beings, to the idea that we are rational beings and the list goes on. Several of these things are true (though the claim that we resemble God physically is dubious) and it's unlikely that the implication of being made in the image of God can be exhausted by any one of these things by itself. In Genesis 1 we see God as the Divine creator with capacities for intelligence, creativity, and relationship who creates good things in order to bring a blessing to His creation.

The word image suggests that not only do we resemble God but that we are made to represent God. That is what an image was, a representation. For example, Nebuchadnezzar had an image created to represent his power and glory (Dan. 3). Likewise, idols are often referred to as images (see for example 2 Chron. 23:17; Amos  5:26). It is not that ancient pagans were so primitive that they thought the pieces of wood and stone were actually gods, but that they represented the gods and they were a place where they could pray, worship, and confer with the gods. How pagans that of their idols, Israel thought of their tabernacle/temple and ark of the covenant. It was the place where God is represented. Part of the reason why God did not want Israel to make images of Him is that He had already made an image to represent Him. Us! Think about that, we are the “place” where God is represented. We bear His name and were created for His glory (Isa. 43:7). It is no surprise then that the New Testament applies temple imagery to Christians both individually and collectively. We are redeemed and restored to be the “place” where God is represented and glorified.

Perhaps the most concrete implication we can draw from the context of Genesis 1 about being made in the image of God is that we were endowed with authority. We are made to rule with the Divine Creator. We have been given dominion and stewardship over this earth and having an affinity with God, and being agents/representatives of Him, we ought to use our authority for His glory (see also Psa. 8). Like God, we exercise our capacities and capabilities of intelligence, creativity, etc. to continue to care for, cultivate, and capitalize on the resources that He’s given us to be a blessing to others. For Adam and Eve, their task was gardening (Gen. 2:15). In our vocations, we are to employ our faculties and capabilities to do good, but this idea extends far beyond the workplace. We are created as God’s workmanship, created for good works and this applies to all of life (Eph. 2:10). We each have different capabilities and capacities, but we are all created in or as God’s image. It is our divinely appointed task to glorify God and bless others. Because of this, it is difficult to prescribe specific tasks to each individual. However, some questions might help each of us figure out how we can uniquely image God.

What are my skills and abilities that I can employ to be a blessing to others?

How has my training, background, experience, etc. equipped me to make a difference in someone else’s life?

What knowledge has God blessed me with that I can pass on to others?

What resources has God given me that I can utilize and share to His glory?

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