Christianity and Judaism and some Sufism sects of Islam, view The Image of God as being of a concept and theological doctrine. Hebrew scholars like Gaon and Philo believe the phase to be a type of  figurative language and that God has bestowed a special honor on mankind which he did not confer on the rest of creation.

In the Hebrew Bible the phrase “image of God” is found in three passages, all in the Book of Genesis. 1: 26-28; 5: 1-3; 9: 6.                 

Consciousness, the fact of awareness by the mind of itself and the world, add to that the ability to speak, both make mankind different from animals. We are able to think and reason, also not all of our actions are just instinctual. Man as an image of God Lost some of its luster with the fall of man in The Garden of Eden and it is  because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that man will once again be redeemed in the Creator’s eyes. All Christian writers agree that each person has value not to be limited by class, race, gender or disability. There are many interpretations as to the exact meaning of this phrase but it can be argued to be a concept that is the foundational doctrine of Christianity and Judaism. From the Christian standpoint we must be aware that we, being a part of the creation, are intended to be part of His plans and purposes for His creation. Imago Dei has within it the fact that if humans are to love God, then they must love other humans that God has created. All of creation is an expression of God.

John 13:35

35 ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’

God is the maker not the made. He made us in such a way that we long for Him and His presence in our lives. 

Acts 17:28

28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being…….’ 

There is a need to live as a person in the state of Imago Dei,one who understands and strives to emulate Christ’s life and teachings, to live in his image. Image and likeness are two different words that simply reinforce each others meaning. So much has been written about this Image of God…and from so many different perspectives that as a layman I can sometimes become lost in a mass of words generated by the theological and scholarly world, that I revert back to simpler times and the comfort of what I have been taught in church. So here is what I believe to be true. We know that Jesus Christ is The Image of God. What does it mean to be conformed to the image of God?

–The thoughts, words, and actions that Jesus displayed in His life and ministry serve as a model for how we glorify God in our lives. … This is what it means to be conformed to His image.

-We show God’s mercy and grace to all people at all times

-Our love for all creation is unconditional

-God wants His people to expect only the best for others and in our actions present to the world good exceptions of things to come

-Take to the world God’s will for justice

The Image of God is one of mercy, love, hope and the salvation of us all through His son Jesus Christ. I guess we could best sum this up by understanding that the image and likeness of God we seek will be found in the life of Christ…As we wrote earlier image and likeness while different words are the same but I would refer to likeness as a spiritual attribute of the moral qualities Of God. It is worth repeating…The Imago Dei can be found in the life of Christ. May we all strive to live a Christ like life,

Life is Good 

jk