Episode 190 - The Creation of Humanity

Scripture ReferencedGenesis 1:26-28; Genesis 3:15; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Colossians 1:13QuotationsOntological or Structural Views of Image of GodAugustine (354-430) located the image in the rational soul, finding a trinitarian structure in memory, understanding, and will (De Trinitate, Books IX–XIV). “The mind is the image of God, in that it is capable of Him and can be partaker of Him.” —De Trinitate 14.8.11 (NPNF trans.)Anselm (1033-1109) follows a similar line of thinking, treating the image as the capacity to remember, understand, and love God:“I acknowledge, Lord, and give thanks that you have created in me this your image, so that I may remember you, think of you, love you. But this image is so worn away by vices, so smudged by the smoke of sins, that it cannot do what it was created to do unless you renew and refashion it.” — Proslogion, ch. 1Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) grounds the image in intellect and freedom:“Man is said to be made to God’s image, in so far as the image implies an intelligent being endowed with free-will and self-movement.” — Summa Theologiae I-II, prologue“Intellectual creatures alone, properly speaking, are made to God’s image.” — ST I, q. 93, a. 2Aquinas also distinguishes a threefold image: by nature (all men), by grace (in those justified), by glorification (in the blessed) — ST I, q. 93, a. 4Functional View of the Image of GodFunctional - The image of God means to have dominion, that human beings were made to rule and reign as representatives or vice regents of God on the earth. Anthony Hoekema brings together the structural and functional views: The image of God in man must therefore be seen as involving both the structure of man and the functioning of man— Hoekema, Created in God’s Image, 1986Relationally as central to understanding Image of GodKarth Barth (1886-1968) is the key theologian here - he saw "male and female he created them" to indicate relationality as key to understanding the image of God. Summary God created us with certain capacities (intellect, understanding, emotions, will), to do what he created human beings to do (rule and reign and represent God on the earth) in covenantal relationship with God and other people. Other Quotations Cited“The image of God carries with it the right not to be mistreated or harmed.... Regardless of their record or character, all human beings have an irreducible glory and significance to them, because God loves them.... So we must treasure each and every human being as a way of showing due respect for the majesty of their owner and Creator.” — Timothy Keller, Generous Justice “We are not to consider what men merit of themselves but to look upon the image of God in all men, to which we owe all honor and love.” — Institutes IV.1.7