Made in the Image of God

Three Competing views of Humanity

1. Naturalism (atheism): Naturalism

People are the result of mindless, random chance.

We are a temporary collection of atoms.

We have come into existence without any

ultimate purpose, and we are destined to return to

nothing.

Three Competing views of Humanity

Pantheism

Humans are a part of “god”

We are all connected by a

divine force/energy.

God is impersonal and in everything in

nature.

Example: Hinduism

Three Competing views of Humanity

Theism

Humanity was created by a personal God.• Christianity• Islam• Judaism

The Image of God

Genesis 1:26-3126 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”27 So God created mankind in his own image,    in the image of God he created them;    male and female he created them.28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the

dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

C.S. Lewis

“Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” 

The Weight of Glory

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

1. Representing God through God-like actions:• Treating people

with love, mercy, & justice.

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

2. Moral Freedom & Accountability:• A deep awareness

of Good and Evil, not just survival behavior.

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

3. Spirituality:• Immortality,

Relationship with God

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

4. Intelligence: Complex

Language, Symbolic/Abstract

reasoning, Self-Awareness

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

5. Creativity:• To find joy in the

act of imagining

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

6. Relationally:• The depth of human

relationships reflect the depths of community with God (the Trinity)

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

7. Stewardship: • The

responsibility to rule over and care for God’s “temple” (creation)

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

1. Does not mean we are “mini” gods. Sun and moon analogy It means we are uniquely gifted and given a place of authority

2. Sin has distorted God’s Image in humans Like funny house mirrors

3. Christ’s Kingdom work was about restoring the image of God in people so we can represent him The church continues this work todayJesus is our modelWe will be completely restored at Christ’s return

Characteristics of being made in the “Image of God”

• Treating people with love, mercy, & justice. Representing God through God-like actions:

• A deep awareness of Good and Evil, not just survival behavior.

Moral Freedom & Accountability:

• Immortality, Relationship with GodSpirituality:

Intelligence: Complex Language, Symbolic/Abstract reasoning, Self-Awareness

• To find joy in the act of imagining Creativity:

• The depth of human relationships reflect the depths of community with God (the Trinity)Relationally:

• The responsibility to rule over and care for God’s “temple” (creation)Stewardship:

Quiz Questions 1. Discuss a Biblical perspective on the question of

euthanasia. Be sure to distinguish between active and passive euthanasia, and integrate an important idea or two from Campolo’s article.

2. Discuss the effects of sin on our lives (as illustrated in the Biblical story of David & Bathsheba). You should use FOUR specific lessons outlined in our Bible study.

3. Write an essay in which you explain a Biblical perspective of humanity. Be sure to include a discussion on what it means to be made in the image of God.

Integration of class notes and discussion are essential for credit!