1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Created in the image of God

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

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2001
    Messages:
    10,544
    Likes Received:
    1,558
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Genesis 1 says that man was created in the image of God.
    What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
     
  2. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,943
    Likes Received:
    1,661
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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.
     
  3. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,817
    Likes Received:
    2,106
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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.
     
  4. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    20,080
    Likes Received:
    3,490
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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."
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,469
    Likes Received:
    1,228
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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
     
    • Winner Winner x 1
  6. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2001
    Messages:
    10,544
    Likes Received:
    1,558
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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.
     
  7. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,793
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Created as a spirit being with authority and dominion.
     
  8. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 14, 2001
    Messages:
    26,977
    Likes Received:
    2,536
    Faith:
    Baptist
    We possess Intelligence and creativity.
     
  9. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,793
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So do apes, dolphins, and several other animals.
     
  10. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 14, 2001
    Messages:
    26,977
    Likes Received:
    2,536
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Hmm, never read a poem by any of those "animals" you have mentioned.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2001
    Messages:
    10,544
    Likes Received:
    1,558
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
    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!
     
  13. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    20,080
    Likes Received:
    3,490
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That's because you don't understand dolphin language. :D
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  14. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2001
    Messages:
    10,544
    Likes Received:
    1,558
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Would this not be true of angels, with exception of the physical body?
     
  15. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I do not think Angels have the Holy Spirit, God Himself, indwelling them though, as that seperates us from them!
     
  16. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,793
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Dolphins and apes have some interesting conversation within their own species.
     
  17. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I do not think they have a spiritual relationship with God though!
     
  18. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,793
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That would make one "not created in the image of God" prior to salvation.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,793
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That was my original point.
     
  20. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 14, 2001
    Messages:
    26,977
    Likes Received:
    2,536
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Do they have underwater schools and universities?:Cool
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Loading...