Imagine walking through an art gallery filled with masterpieces, each one perfectly resembling a unique reflection of the artist’s soul. Every stroke of the brush, every shade of color, every intricate detail captures the essence of the creator’s vision. Now, consider that you are one of these masterpieces, crafted with precision and care, reflecting the image of the Creator.
While this analogy offers a glimpse into the imago Dei—the image of God—it inevitably falls short. The depth of being made in God’s image goes beyond the simplicity of a painting; it encompasses the entirety of our being, both seen and unseen.
Our understanding of the imago Dei roots itself in the Old Testament, and we see its fulfillment in the New Testament. This divine reflection shapes our understanding of human dignity and worth.
Imago Dei in the Old Testament
The explicit theme of the image of God appears in two significant texts in the Old Testament: Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 5:1-2. These passages offer foundational insights into what it means to be created in the image of God.
Genesis 1:26-27: The Creation of Humanity
At the dawn of creation, we encounter the profound declaration:
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
This passage tells us that being made in God’s image is intrinsic to our identity. It’s a reflection of His nature, granting us authority and stewardship over creation. The Hebrew words tselem (image) and demuth (likeness) suggest a deeper connection, a spiritual resonance with our Creator, not merely a physical resemblance.
Genesis 5:1-2: The Generations of Adam
In Genesis 5:1-2, we see this reaffirmed:
“This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. Male and female He created them, and He blessed them and named them Man when they were created.”
Here, the divine likeness is reiterated, emphasizing that every human, from the very beginning, carries the imprint of God’s blessing and identity.
Imago Dei in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the concept of the image of God shifts focus to Jesus Christ as the perfect representation of God’s image. The Greek word eikōn (image) becomes central, appearing in significant theological contexts.
Jesus as the Image of God
Paul’s letters underscore that Jesus Christ is the ultimate eikōn of God. Colossians 1:15 proclaims:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul adds:
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Jesus embodies the fullness of God, presenting a clear and tangible image of the divine.
Humanity Conformed to Christ’s Image
The New Testament also speaks of believers being transformed into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 states:
“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
This transformation is a journey, an ongoing process where believers, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through repentance, having been justified and made new by the blood of Jesus Christ, are shaped to reflect His character more and more fully. And this journey of walking in Him is all by grace, through faith… the same way we received Him!
Upholding the Value of Every Life
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible affirms the value of every human life. Despite the fall of man, humanity retains the divine image. While sin has marred and distorted it, the imago Dei remains, underscoring the inherent dignity of all people. We have not lost our image-bearerness.
As bearers of God’s image, humanity is endowed with a unique role in creation, tasked with stewarding the earth and manifesting God’s presence in the world. This understanding calls believers to live lives that reflect God’s character and purpose, valuing and caring for every human life as an expression of divine love and justice.
Join us as we walk through our Image of God study over the next several weeks.
Access the study for free at standforlife.app!
