What makes us human? After all, we share many similarities with other mammals. Yet, in spite of what public schools teach, we are not animals. We are, according to the Bible, created in the image of God. “The Genesis account of the creation of human beings demonstrates that humanity shares much with the rest of creation, and at the same, is distinct from all other created beings” (Christian Lecture).
The first twenty-five verses of Genesis 1 speak of God commanding things into existence. “Let the waters bring forth the moving creature that hath life” (v. 20), and “Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind” (v. 24), are examples of God commanding His creation to bring forth. All other creatures were brought forth from the land and sea, but people were made by God and in His likeness. Verse 26 says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (KJV).
To be created in the image of God means that every part of our make up reflects something of God’s nature. Thorsen speaks of both a dichotomous view of human nature (body and soul) and a trichotomous nature (body, soul, and spirit). But these can get confusing, especially when the Bible often does not differentiate between soul and spirit. Therefore, “If, in fact, Scripture makes no clear distinctions with regard to the constituent parts of humanity, then perhaps we are better off thinking about people primarily as holistic beings. As such they should be thought of as a unity, which may then be viewed from two, three, or a variety of ways” (Thorsen p. 138).
We humans are a lot of parts put together by our Creator in order to reflect His image. We reflect Him when we live in harmony with Him through the blood of Jesus. When the inner man (heart, soul, mind, and spirit) are in right relationship with Him, our bodies will act accordingly. For example, if we love God, we will also love our neighbor.
We were not meant to be alone (see Genesis 1:27). God wanted relationship so created us and made a way to have that relationship. In the same way, we long for relationship with others, and interaction with others is how we best show the love of God. Of Course, those same interactions can also be the worst way to represent our Heavenly Father.
The essence of sin is unbelief, pride, disobedience, and sensuality, the effects of which create barriers to the relationships for which we long. However, when we are saved, we reflect that original Imago Dei which include a freedom to God, a freedom to each other, a freedom from the earth, and a freedom from self-domination.
I like what the Bible says about being different and alike. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.For the body is not one member, but many” (KJV).
I think this is what Thorsen was getting at, when he says “Of course, from a biblical perspective, a balance of individuality and collectivity should be seen in the Trinity. Likewise, one should view personhood as a balance between individuality and collectivity. There is no either/or relationship between the two. Instead, we should conceptualize the nature of humanity as a both/and relationship of individuality and collectivity” (p. 143).
Thorsen writes about a structural and a functional view of being the image of God. Structural “Asserts that particular human attributes constitute the sum and substance of our likeness to God” (p. 132). Functional, on the other hand, says that what we do distinguishes us as the Imago Dei rather than what we are made up of. I see his point, but why can it not be both?
I do agree with Thorsen on this, though, “When people are obedient, they appropriately reflect the likeness of God and may grow in righteous godliness” (p. 133).
In conclusion, how can we put all of this into practical application? First, we must remember Romans 3:23, “ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (KJV). Second, we need to remember, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Third, concerning relationships with others, it is best to remember that “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV(.
Although we cannot understand what life was like in the Garden of Eden before the first couple took a bite of that forbidden fruit, Genesis 1-2 gives us a good glimpse. Adam and Eve were the perfect example of Imago Dei. They had communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as with themselves, each other, and the earth. But there is coming a day when we will experience that perfect union with God once again.Works Cited
Christian, Charles W., Human Beings: Created and Fallen (Theological Anthropology Lecture
Dunning, H. Ray, Grace, Faith, & Holiness: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology, Beacon Hill Press, 1988
Thorsen, Don, An Exploration of Christian Theology, Baker Academic, 2008-2020
Shannon Wells 