Post by Redeemed on May 18, 2023 14:31:08 GMT -8
What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? The word for “image” (tselem) is used rarely in the Old Testament, and just as often refers to the image of God as it does to statues as the images of gods or created things (Num 33:52; 1 Sam 6:5).
However, the “image of God” plays a special role in Genesis 1–11, not just identifying the form that humans are created in, but also referring to our role on earth. First, humans are created as God’s imagers—we function in the capacity of God’s representatives. The image of God is not a quality within human beings; it is what we are. The image of God includes our commission: fruitfulness and care of creation. Genesis 1:28
Being created as God’s imagers means we are His representatives on earth—the only qualification for this is that we are human. This is why the creation of humankind as God’s image in Gen 1:26–27 is immediately followed by the so-called dominion mandate of Gen 1:28. Humanity is tasked with stewarding God’s creation as though God were physically present to undertake the duty himself.
Jesus is the Image of God in the New Testament. Paul tells us that believers are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). We are to live as God would, to represent him and his character. Paul elsewhere refers to Jesus as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4). The writer of Hebrews uses the same verbiage, calling Jesus “the express image of God” (Heb 1:3). As humans gave visible form to God, so Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).
Jesus was truly incarnate, becoming human to atone for humankind, but also an example for humankind (Phil 2:6–10; 1 Pet 2:21).
These New Testament passages convey that Jesus was the imager of God. As Jesus imaged God, we must image Jesus. In so doing, we fulfill the rationale for our creation. This process is gradual: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18). Paul also links our resurrection to Jesus as the image of God in 1 Cor 15:49.1
However, the “image of God” plays a special role in Genesis 1–11, not just identifying the form that humans are created in, but also referring to our role on earth. First, humans are created as God’s imagers—we function in the capacity of God’s representatives. The image of God is not a quality within human beings; it is what we are. The image of God includes our commission: fruitfulness and care of creation. Genesis 1:28
Being created as God’s imagers means we are His representatives on earth—the only qualification for this is that we are human. This is why the creation of humankind as God’s image in Gen 1:26–27 is immediately followed by the so-called dominion mandate of Gen 1:28. Humanity is tasked with stewarding God’s creation as though God were physically present to undertake the duty himself.
Jesus is the Image of God in the New Testament. Paul tells us that believers are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). We are to live as God would, to represent him and his character. Paul elsewhere refers to Jesus as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4). The writer of Hebrews uses the same verbiage, calling Jesus “the express image of God” (Heb 1:3). As humans gave visible form to God, so Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).
Jesus was truly incarnate, becoming human to atone for humankind, but also an example for humankind (Phil 2:6–10; 1 Pet 2:21).
These New Testament passages convey that Jesus was the imager of God. As Jesus imaged God, we must image Jesus. In so doing, we fulfill the rationale for our creation. This process is gradual: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18). Paul also links our resurrection to Jesus as the image of God in 1 Cor 15:49.1
