All life forms are valuable and beautiful. But in the entire context of creation, humans are the only life created in the image of God. Because every human person is made in the image of God, or imago Dei, each human life is to be treated with a unique level of respect and care. This unique characteristic of being made in the image of God is a profound theological truth that is true for all humanity; past, present, and future.

The Creation of Humanity

The Bible introduces the distinct creation of humanity in Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.’… So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” This passage highlights key aspects that set humans apart: 

1. Divine Intention: Unlike other creatures, humanity’s creation is preceded by divine counsel. This indicates a special intention and purpose in our creation. 
2. Image and Likeness: Humans are made in the image (tselem) and likeness (demuth) of God, reflecting His attributes such as rationality, morality, and relational capacity.
3. Stewardship: God gives humans dominion over the earth and its creatures, entrusting us with stewardship of creation.

Theological Insights

The concept of the imago Dei extends beyond physical appearance, encompassing our entire being—in spirit, mind, and body. 

1. Relational Aspect: Humanity’s capacity for relationships, both with God and each other, is a key aspect of the imago Dei. Our ability to sustain and cultivate relationships points to being made in the likeness of God, who created and sustained the first relationship ever: the relationship within the Trinity. 
2. Moral and Rational Capacities: Our ability to make moral judgments and think rationally sets us apart from animals. These faculties enable us to know and love God. Scripture teaches us that God will put His laws on our hearts and write them on our minds (Hebrews 10:16-17). The author of Hebrews seems to indicate that there is an innate ability to decipher between right and wrong. This ability is unique to humans, further pointing to our shared dignity and worth. 
3. Creative and Spiritual Expression: Humans uniquely possess the ability to create, reflect, and worship. Our ability to create far surpasses any other form of life, and our ability to express worship is also unique to the human experience.

Biblical Affirmations of Human Value

Throughout scripture, God shows distinct concern for the wellbeing and protection of humanity. 

1. Sanctity of Life: In Psalm 139:13-14, God emphasizes the sacredness of human life: “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” 
2. Care for the Vulnerable: The laws given to Israel reflect God’s concern for justice and dignity. For example, Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs the Israelites to leave part of their harvest for the poor and the foreigner, ensuring everyone is cared for. 
3. Calls for Justice: Isaiah 10:1-2 condemns those who exploit the needy, while Isaiah 58:6-7 calls for true acts of righteousness, such as feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.

Humanity’s Role and Responsibility

Being made in the image of God carries both privilege and responsibility. Humans are called to reflect God’s character in our interactions with creation and each other. This involves: 

1. Stewardship: As stewards of creation, we are entrusted with caring for the earth. This requires wisdom, compassion, and justice. 
2. Relational Living: Reflecting the relational nature of God, we are called to live in harmonious relationships characterized by love, respect, and mutual care. 
3. Moral Integrity: Upholding moral values and justice is central to reflecting the imago Dei. This includes protecting the vulnerable, pursuing justice, and living ethically. 

Conclusion

By being created in the image and likeness of God, humans hold a unique place with inherent value, purpose, and dignity. This distinction is a profound theological truth that is secure and unchanging. But what can change is how active we are in ordering our lives by this reality. As we trust in Jesus, we receive grace to reflect the character of God and walk in the high calling of being more like Him. Without this special grace, we would have no hope to reflect His nature. 

In the words of R. C. Sproul, “Dignity, by biblical definition, is tied to the biblical concept of glory. God’s glory, His weightiness, His importance, His significance, is what the Bible uses to describe the fountainhead of all dignity. And only God has eternal value and intrinsic (that is, in and of Himself) significance. I am a creature—I come from the dust. The dust isn’t all that significant, but I become significant when God scoops up that dust and molds it into a human being and breathes into it the breath of life and says, ‘This creature is made in My image.’ God assigns eternal significance to temporal creatures. I don’t have anything in me that would demand that God treat me with eternal significance. I have eternal significance and eternal worth because God gives it to me.” 

 “From the little boy with a disability, to the elderly widow with Alzheimer’s, to the family living in a war-torn refugee camp, to the preborn little girl and the precious mother in whose womb she is growing—each human life is of infinite value and worthy of protection.” – Elizabeth Graham 

Join us as we walk through our Image of God study over the next several weeks. Access the study for free!