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Theological Essay Image of God
Biblical Aspects of the Image of God
Unsurprisingly, man has a history of searching for their true self. We may have read about this self-
searching exploration or seen movies depicting such behavior. Man is in constant search of their creator. Some
may stumble upon those answers and find satisfaction in them. Others may hopelessly come to their wit's end
and declare themselves a higher power. Yet, the Bible tells us plainly that no one searches or seeks for God
(Romans 3:11), at least not the true and living God of the Bible. Taylor (2006) notes "that humans have three
basic needs only satisfied by God Himself: (1) the need for meaning, (2) the need for transcendence, and (3) the
need for understanding" (p. 52). While this will not be a theological essay on the Doctrine of Theology Proper,
where we are making a case for the existence of God and His attributes as revealed from the pages of historic
Christianity, the doctrine on the Image of God will prove close enough. Here, we will explore various aspects of
what it means to be made in the image of God.
The writer of Genesis gives us a vital historical account of the creation and all that is in it. The part of
creation we will focus on is found in verses 26-27 of the chapter, where the author writes:
26 Then God said, "[a]Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and [b]let them rule
over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and
over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image, in the
image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (NASB).
Being made in the image of God gives humanity a higher status in all of creation, even above animals. The
reason being is the key phrase "in His image." This ideal signifies that God created mankind to reflect Himself,
thus giving humanity value and respect. Kilner (2015) notes, "Recognizing humanity's creation in God's image
has played a significant role historically in freeing people from the ravages of need and oppression" (p. 7). History
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has continually repeated and prided itself on countless wars and fights that have claimed countless millions of
lives. Christ reminds us of the value of humanity in our treatment of each other by stating this:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and
you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or
naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will
answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.'
(Matt 25:35-40, NASB).
However, sin has ravished the image of God in man, thus resulting in a loss of connection and relationship.
Kilner (2015) writes, "People have a special connection to God, and God's intention is that a variety of human
attributes (somehow reflecting God's own attributes) ought to evidence such connection.... sin intervenes..." (p.
134). Sin does not damage God's image, as we will learn later, but man, created in God's image, is badly
damaged. Elwell (2017) writes, "Our understanding of God profoundly affects how we view other humans,
ourselves, and our participation in God's purposes" (p. 415).
For humanity to regain its status as a reflection and representation of God in right relationship, it will take
renewal. That renewal can only come through one Person, Jesus Christ. Paul lets us know in Romans 5 that sin
and death reigned from Adam to all humanity, but because of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, those who
place their faith in Christ alone receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness (vv. 12-21, NASB).
Christ is, as Paul declares, the very image of God. He writes, "15 [a]He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation. 16 For [b]by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and
for Him. 17 He [c]is before all things, and in Him all things [d]hold together" (Col 1:15-17). Elwell (2017) writes,
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"What was lacking and warped in humans, God in steadfast love came to restore and make right in Jesus Christ"
(p. 416).
Several biblical passages help us understand how seriously God takes humanity's renewal and how we
should also take it seriously. Three key passages Kilner (2015) notes are found in Paul's letters to the Romans,
Corinthians, and Colossians. What all three passages (Romans 8, 2 Cor 3, and Col 3) have in common is this,
they all center on and around Christ. Kilner writes, "In Romans 8:29 the focus is the image of God's Son; in 2
Corinthians 3:18 it is the Lord's image; and in Colossians 3:10, the image of the One who (re)created the new
humanity" (p. 234). Simply put, humanity is renewed in Christ, conformed to Christ, and then transformed by or
into Christ. Paul encourages us to imitate Christ (1 Cor 11:1), as we are new creatures in Him (2 Cor 5:17).
Historical Aspects
It is not uncommon for specific people groups to not understand what it means for man to have been
made in the image of God. Scholars have studied this idea throughout the centuries, noting the disagreements it
presents in religious circles. Kilner (2015) reports, "How people have understood being in God's image has had a
'tremendous impact' on human well-being, for better and for worse. Much of this impact has been hugely
positive" (p. 5). It is this belief that because man has been created in God's image, a level of respect comes with it.
More so, a level of humanity in that we show care and concern for those in need. Recognizing humanity's
creation in God's image has played a significance historically in freeing people from the ravages of need and
oppression (Kilner, 2015).
One may think about the Civil Rights movement and the push to see African American free from
slavery and racism. Predominantly black churches in America have made it their mission historically. Yet, the
woman's suffrage movement of the 19th century subjected harsh treatment to all women regardless of race and
class. Scholar Anne Clifford applauds how women's struggle against the dehumanizing forces of patriarchy' has
been undergirded by 'the recognition that females are imago Dei'" (Kilner, 2015). However, as history may have
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proven favorable in women being treated equally as men in America today, other parts of the world know of no
such freedom. Only through revelation and realization of both men and women being created equally in the
image of God are women starting to speak up and out in countries like Latin America, Palestinian regions, and
some parts of Africa. Kilner (2015) writes, "Humanity's status in God's image, then, has served historically as a
compelling impetus toward liberation. It has fostered respect and protection for those who have been wrongly
oppressed, including impoverished, ill, and disabled people, as well as Native Americans, enslaved Africans and
their descendants, and women" (p. 16).
Theological Aspects
God created humanity in His image and likeness to foster relationships through connection and reflect
His attributes in humanity. Because Adam sinned, this broke fellowship with a Holy and infinite God. Humanity,
having been created in God's image, has now been damaged. God's image was not damaged, but only man's
image of God was. Kilner (2015) notes, "Just because sin has badly damaged people, that does not mean that the
standard, the image of God, has been damaged" (p. 135). Thus, something must happen in order for humanity to
be renewed to what it once was. Christ is the hope and answer for man's depraved state. Paul tells his readers that
Christ is the very image of the invisible God (Col 1:15). Jesus, Himself tells Philip in John's gospel that if anyone
has seen Him, they have also seen the Father (14:9). All of Scripture points us to Christ, through His obedience
and sacrifice in our place, taking upon His persons the sins of humanity, to bring renewal and restore right
fellowship between man and God. Christ is the image of God and has always been so (Kilner, 2015). From our
video lecture, Small (n.d.) reminds us that only in Christ are we justified and, through Christ, sanctified in
becoming new creatures in Christ. The old person passes, and behold, we put on the new self in Christ alone (Col
3:1-17).
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Implications for Education and Leadership
As redeemed humanity in Christ, we are renewed only because of His finished work on the cross. We
must never forget that we are still human, sanctified, and conformed more and more to reflect His glory. As Paul
writes in Romans 14, we are to do everything to the glory of God in Christ. The Christian leader and educator are
to be an example of this in word and deed, drawing attention away from their human fragility and pointing all
image bearers to Christ. This is done no matter where they find themselves. No other person in history comes to
mind than the Apostle Paul, who was an advocate for Christ alone. He determined to know nothing else but
Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). He lived, breathed, ate, sweated, and slept nothing but Christ, that he may
present Him in all His splendor and glory. As Christian educational leaders, this is the standard we build our
entire lives off of and the only measure of truth that is able to save a lost sinner, Christ, and Christ alone.
People, whether still dead in sins or alive in Christ, needs to recognize and understand the image in
which God created them and desire to renew within. As Kiliner (2015) notes:
Much is lost when pastors, counselors, and other ministers do not encourage and challenge
hurting people with the glorious truth that they are created, and continue, in God's undamaged
image. People need to hear the message that, like many others, they may be flawed in terms of
rational, moral, relational, and/or other attributes... Despite all that is wrong with them, their
existence in God's image is a constant that has not deteriorated, for it is more about God than
about people" (p. 324).
This truth holds even for those engaged in education and leadership. For those whom He foreknew, He
also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many
brethren (Romans 8:29, NASB1995).
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References
Elwell, W. A. (Ed.). (2001). Evangelical dictionary of theology. Baker Academic.
Kilner, J., (2015). Dignity and destiny: humanity in the image of God. William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company.
Small, R. (n.d.) The renewal of God.
https://libertyuniversity.instructure.com/courses/136123/pages/watch-the-renewal-of-theimage-of-
god?module_item_id=14839853
Taylor, J. E. (2006). Introducing apologetics. Baker Academic.
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