The Image of God CLED 800

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Dec 6, 2023

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1 THE IMAGE OF GOD The Image of God Megan Yingst-Coats CLED 800 5/1/2021

2 THE IMAGE OF GOD The Image of God In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (ESV) This verse tells readers that we are each created in the image of God. The image of God can be looked at from many different angles. There are three different tangles that are important to discuss and understand. First, the actual image of God, what we today believe he looks like. Next, the image of God and how we are viewed by Him. Lastly, the image of God and how we perceive him to be or act. Understanding these three angles of God along with the biblical context, history, and theological aspects will allow readers to fully understand what the Image of God is. The Image of God Past and Present The way that the world sees God today is based upon how the television, phone, or photographs show Him ( Jones & Barbeau, 2016). While this is helpful for some to understand the Jesus was a real human who came to this earth. Others may turn away from the image that the world has painted of God and the cultural difference between themselves and the image that is being portrayed. Overtime the image of God has been changed to fit what man believes that He looked like. Though we never really know what is true and accurate. The only thing that remains constant from the time the Jesus was on earth until now is the Word of God. Reading the Word will begin to restore the image of God for those who may have an image that is not accurate. Understanding what the "image of god" means is the most important aspect of this doctrine. Understanding what the image of God truly is will allow others to see Him and

3 THE IMAGE OF GOD themselves in a healthy loving way. When looking at "image of God in latin, "The imago Dei is not a quality possessed by man; it is a condition in which man lives, a condition of confrontation established and maintained by the Creator. … The imago Dei is that in man which constitutes him as him-whom-God-loves " (Keller, 2018). This tells readers that being created in God's image is not something that we earn or possess, but rather the love that God has for his children. This is the true unconditional love that each person receives from God and each person should love others with the same unconditional love. The theological concept that is explained asserts that the human being is made in the likeness of God (Keller, 2018). The image of God can also affect how we will view Him. As we strive to be more like Him, we are striving to be more like the image that we have of Him. Sin itself separates us from God, not because he will ever leave us or forsake us, but because we are not focused on Him. As we continue to sin it can change the image that we have of Him. This will disrupt and alter the way we live in a bad way because we are striving to be more like the image that we have of Him. 1 John 3:6 says, "No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him" (ESV) This verse tells us that those who keep on sinning do not know the Lord and if you do not know the Lord it is impossible to strive to be more like him. Therefore, the image of God is distorted in the mind of sinners and those that keep on sinning may never really know him. Church Leadership and Educators Leaders and educators have the job to spread the gospel all over the world. While in some countries they may not have access to the Bible or technology that may teach us about God, the United States does. It is not as simple as teaching people in the U.S. about God because they

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