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Created in the image of God

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by rlvaughn, Aug 7, 2018.

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  1. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Genesis 1 says that man was created in the image of God.
    What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
     
    #1 rlvaughn, Aug 7, 2018
  2. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Context: At least two possibilities imho. (1) Having dominion over God's creation as God has dominion.
    (2) Relationship: God exists in relationship with the Godhead...Father, Son, Holy Spirit: 3 persons existing in unity as one God.

    Mankind was created for relationship: male and female He created them. The relationship between a husband and wife reflects the relationship within the Godhead. Male and female become 1 flesh.

    I am sure there will be others.
     
    #2 canadyjd, Aug 7, 2018
  3. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    I'm sure that Genesis 1:26-27 (before the Fall) is meant to be contrasted with Genesis 5:3 (after the fall).
    Therefore God's image must have something to do with righteousness.
     
    #3 Martin Marprelate, Aug 7, 2018
  4. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    I believe man is the image of God by virtue of his spiritual nature. Man received the breath of God by which Man, formed from the dust of the earth, became a living soul.

    Man is endowed with a free self-consciousness in his spiritual nature, a copy of the holiness and blessedness of the Divine Life of God Himself. This essence of the divine likeness was shattered by sin; and it is only through Christ, the brightness of the glory of God and the expression of His essence according to Hebrews 1:3, that our nature is transformed into the image of God again according to Colossians 3:10, "and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator" and Ephsians 4:24, "and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."
     
    #4 TCassidy, Aug 7, 2018
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  5. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    As the creation of God we were designed to be his image-bearers to the rest of creation. We were designed to bring order/function, to have dominion over the world God made (in its context ... Genesis 1:26-27).
    We were designed to be God’s represenitives to the rest of creation, to be his image to the world.
    As Christians we are called priests, representatives of God’s creation.

    Rob
     
    #5 Deacon, Aug 7, 2018
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  6. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Thanks for the comments thus far. I will add a few things that may spark further/other comments.

    IIRC, I was first taught that man created in the image of God referred to the fact that he was a triune being -- body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). For example, Lehman Strauss :
    I wouldn’t say that there is no connection/application, but now to me that doesn't seem a primary consideration. Here are the few added things:
    • I except to find the primary meaning in the context of the first mention in Genesis 1:26-27.
    • So far as I know, man is the only part of God's creation described as “in the image of God.”
    • Even in his depraved condition man continues the benefits of being created in God’s image. In Genesis 9:6 it is cited as a reason against murder.
     
    #6 rlvaughn, Aug 8, 2018
  7. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Created as a spirit being with authority and dominion.
     
    #7 Reynolds, Aug 8, 2018
  8. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    We possess Intelligence and creativity.
     
    #8 HankD, Aug 8, 2018
  9. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    So do apes, dolphins, and several other animals.
     
    #9 Reynolds, Aug 8, 2018
  10. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Hmm, never read a poem by any of those "animals" you have mentioned.
     
    #10 HankD, Aug 8, 2018
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  11. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    And if I am correct that the image of God in creation is only applied to man, then it should be something that distinguishes him from both animals and angels.
     
    #11 rlvaughn, Aug 8, 2018
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  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    We have a spiritual aspect to us, not just a physical body, and have the means to commune with and be in direct connection to God! Also have emotions, awareness of self idenity!
     
    #12 Yeshua1, Aug 8, 2018
  13. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    That's because you don't understand dolphin language. :D
     
    #13 TCassidy, Aug 8, 2018
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  14. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Would this not be true of angels, with exception of the physical body?
     
    #14 rlvaughn, Aug 8, 2018
  15. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    I do not think Angels have the Holy Spirit, God Himself, indwelling them though, as that seperates us from them!
     
    #15 Yeshua1, Aug 8, 2018
  16. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Dolphins and apes have some interesting conversation within their own species.
     
    #16 Reynolds, Aug 8, 2018
  17. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    I do not think they have a spiritual relationship with God though!
     
    #17 Yeshua1, Aug 8, 2018
  18. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    That would make one "not created in the image of God" prior to salvation.
     
    #18 Reynolds, Aug 8, 2018
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  19. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    That was my original point.
     
    #19 Reynolds, Aug 8, 2018
  20. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Do they have underwater schools and universities?:Cool
     
    #20 HankD, Aug 8, 2018
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