Andrew Snyder THEO 202-002
Biblical Worldview
Essay
The Image of God and My Vocation
The image of God is what sets us apart from all other forms of creation. To better
understand the image of God and the biblical, historical and theological implications of it we
can look to scripture in both the Old and New Testament. We are told in Colossians that we
need to put on the new self which is to be renewed to a 'true knowledge according to the
image of the One who created him' (Colossians 3:9-10). Both in Colossians and in Ephesians we
are told that being born again involves being renewed and made in the 'likeness of God'
(Ephesians 4:22-24). If true knowledge is being renewed than it points us back to what
happened in the Fall, we messed up and need to be renewed. What are then the virtues and
true attributes of the image of God? We read in Ephesians that these attributes are true
knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). Historically, the image of God is
seen sometimes as only a description of how man was created. Being made in the image of God
is somewhat of a universal understanding throughout the Bible. In history, we see Adam as
being the first representative or bearer of the image that was given to him (Erickson, 193)1. It is
made clear in Genesis that the image of God is present in both male and females (Genesis 1:27;
5:1-2). This then describes the universality of the image of God, it lays the groundwork for
understanding the dignity of being human (Erickson, 193)2. From a theological approach, it is
also fundamental to understand that every human is made in the image of God (Erickson, 194)3.
Without this fundamental concept, we devalue the importance of everyone being made in the
image of God.
1 Erickson, Millard J. Intorducing Christian Doctrine . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1992.
2 Ibid.,193.
3 Ibid.,194.
Andrew Snyder THEO 202-002
Biblical Worldview
Essay
4 Toledo, David. Created in God’s Image: Humanity’s Doxological Vocation. n.d.
By analyzing what Scripture, history, and theology have to say about the image of God we gain
a better understanding of God's intended, unique and predestined purpose for our lives.
When writing on what I want to do once I graduate college I often wish I had more time
so that I could study every degree a university had to offer. I think that I have been gifted in
understanding and comprehending technology and can use that to serve in many ways. I feel
that I am being called to pursue a degree in Web Development to teach underdeveloped
communities about technology use and to build solutions for local businesses. I could use this
platform to touch many people in a community with the hope that I could have the joy of
sharing what Christ has done for me. I want to do that either by working with a mission
organization or a tech company that has influence in the community.
How I view the image of God affects how I go about in my chosen vocation. The doctrine
of the image of God should intersect sharply with my chosen vocation and affect the decisions I
make and pray about. This doctrine should convict and practically change the way I go about
my chosen vocation. The first practical way the image of God should affect my vocation should
be in my understanding that without the Holy Spirit I cannot reach my potential. I cannot utilize
the gifts given to me without the Spirit. The work of the Spirit is connected to the ongoing
transformation of believers into the image of God (Toledo, 9)4. In Galatians, we are told that the
work in our lives has begun by the Spirit (Galatians 3:3). The Holy Spirit, being God, is the image
of God in us. The second practical way the image of God should affect my vocation is in the way
it causes me to rely on God and the help of those in my Church to reorient myself. Because of
the lack of knowledge, holiness, and righteousness, I fall short and need God's help. To reorient
Andrew Snyder THEO 202-002
Biblical Worldview
Essay
myself I must have the Spirit living in me and working through me. In Galatians, it talks about
the manifestation of the image of God in believers as the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22;
Toledo, 95). The final way in which the image of God in my life should affect my vocation is how
I respond to God. Recognizing that God is personal and relational and that he made me for an
intimate relationship with him. I then must learn what my gifts are and find the appropriate
ways to utilize them in everything I do. Intimacy with God should be my goal and understanding
who he is and what he has done for me paints a beautiful picture of how the image of God
should be reflected in my life.
Word Count: 781
BIBLIOGRAPHY
5 Toledo, David. Created in God’s Image: Humanity’s Doxological Vocation. n.d.
Andrew Snyder THEO 202-002
Biblical Worldview
Essay
Erickson, Millard J. Intorducing Christian Doctrine . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1992.
Toledo, David. Created in God’s Image: Humanity’s Doxological Vocation. n.d.
https://www.academia.edu/9460273/Created_in_Gods_Image_Humanitys_Doxological_Vocatio
n (accessed November 10, 2017).
