Man: Made in the Image/Likeness of God (Part 2)

Preface: I have been searching the Scriptures and researching other materials, but still it feels like I don't quite "get it" yet. What I have thought through here is what I have figured out (or what I *think* I have figured out) so far.

A. Image versus Likeness

The first use of “image” also contains the first use of “likeness” (Genesis 1:26). I think this is slightly confusing. Here are my attempts to delineate image and likeness.

Old Testament Example:
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.

New Testament Example:
Luke 20:24
“Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

Perhaps what we could glean is that “image” and “likeness” are very similar words.
However, image appears to be more of representation or appearance. Whereas “Likeness” is a copy of similar virtues or emotional characteristics. (David Guzik’s Commentary of the Bible, Genesis 1)

B. How can we be made in the image of God if God is a spirit?

Short Answer: Because we have already defined image as a representation of virtue & characteristics. Also, God said that He made us in our image (Gen 1:26).

We are created with an eternal soul. This soul is a creation of God to reflect Him.

Both man and woman have a soul. The soul is not gender specific.

Longer Answer: ........

....Back to Scripture, folks!

God could not fully put all of his attributes of Himself into us. I'm not saying God doesn't have the ability-- I'm just saying why would He?

God didn't have to create individuals in His image or likeness. Yet, He chose to do so. He created more than one human being. He created a pair-- Adam and Eve. With His creation of the animal kingdom, we can see evidence of variety, uniqueness, detail, and purpose.

Genesis 1
Creating the light (vs 4)
..........and it was good.
Creating land and vegetation. (vs 10)
........and it was good.
Creating day and night (vs 18)
.........and it was good.
Creating the animals (vs 20-25)
..............and it was good.
Creating man & woman (vs 26-31)
.............and it was VERY good.

And creation was finished. Have you ever seen that before? God created man and there was nothing else to make.

It. Was. Perfect.

Here's something else. The animal kingdom and the earth kingdom were created with a word.
Man and woman, however, were created by God touching, molding, and shaping them.

The Creation of man and woman was much more intimate. There is much more detail in the where and how of our creation.

Example:  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Gen. 2:7 )

This attention to detail, the priority given to creation of man is so much more significant than the creation of animal kingdom. There is no denying it. Again.

Example: Let us create man in OUR own IMAGE. (Gen 1:26) 

I think that's pretty explicit, don't ya think?
But how can we fully validate both ideas that God is wholly spirit and man is spirit and flesh?

C. Illustration.

A friend and I were discussing my previous post. She brought up a very good illustration from a Disney movie. In Toy Story 2, Sheriff Andy is separated from Andy and is uncertain of his future and of who he is. Sheriff looks down at the bottom of his cowboy boots to wipe off the paint that marred his owner's name. Sheriff remembers who he belongs to. He remembers and desperately wants to go back to his human buddy, Andy.

We are not so unlike the Pixar toy named Andy. We are marked in the image of God. We were separated. We have his name on us, yet we have allowed His name to be marred-- covered up.
Will you be like Sheriff Andy? Will you acknowledge that you are His creation, His precious imprint? How far will you go to go back to your Heavenly Father?

Man: Made in the Image of God (Part 1)

Preface: Why is “image” important? Because “image” is how we view ourselves, others and God. How we view or perceive directs our actions and manner of our self and how we treat other people. This post will look at the definition of image (Webster's and Scripture), give examples throughout Scripture, and remembering that as Christians to be in Christ' image is our goal.

A. Definition of image

1. Webster's online dictionary

* a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing; especially : an imitation in solid form : Statue
* tangible or visible representation: Incarnation
* a visual representation of something: as (1) : a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material
* exact likeness : semblance b : a person strikingly like another person


2. Scriptures definition of image and likeness.
Image = Tzelem. Meaning: Image, likeness of, (resemblance)
The root of the word Tzelem comes from Tze "shadow" or "reflection."
Source: Torah.org.

B. Scriptural examples
In a basic search of the NASB, there are almost 100 examples for the word “image”.
1. The first verse is Genesis 1:26- Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
and Genesis 1:27 - God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.


2. New Testament References
1 Corinthians 16:49- Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.


3. Christ described as image of God
Colossians 1:15- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation
This verse reminds us that man is in the image of Christ; or Adam-Christ typology.
Wycliffe: Christ is viewed as the first true man who fulfills God’s design in creation. Thus to be in the image of Christ is the goal of all Christians. (p.1338)


There are other verses throughout the Scriptures of parallelisms between Adam (the first created man, but corrupted) and Christ (not human being, but incarnate physical representation of God, uncorrupted).

Example: Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 15.


C. Not all Scriptural references of "image" or "likeness" have glowing terms. Because of man's sin, both image and likeness of God has been corrupted. Several times throughout the Torah and Israel's history do we see warnings to not make and worship images.

1. Consequence of “image”: Mankind by mankind.
Genesis 9:6
“ Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

The statement might sound gory, inhumane, or an unrealistic response. What we should remember is not to trivialize another human being's life. God certainly didn't think it was a laughing matter.

2. Negative connotation of word “image”
Leviticus 26:1
‘You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.
{Interesting fact: Hebrew definition of idol literally means “things of nothingness”. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary, page 107)}

Conclusion: Genesis 1 and 2 start out with a perfect world. The climax of His Creation was to make a reflection of His attributes and characteristics. God created the perfect people, the perfect environment, the perfect situation. But he also gave man and woman a free-will. By Adam and Eve's free-will, they deliberately choose not to obey God's commands. The once-perfect image became corrupted. But, we still find ourselves longing for and trying to recapture that once perfect replication of Him.

How can man be made in the image of God, if God is a spirit? ( Intro)

In any given election, there will be an off hand comment that a candidate has "good image". This image may be based off of looks or good policy decisions, good word choice etc. This isn't just for politicians potential or otherwise. Image is also essential for advertising. All advertisements give this image of a great life if you buy your product. Everyday we worry about if we do something that people will think badly of us. It seems to be a common and continuing quest. Something that unfortunately continues after middle school. But what does that look like with the God (Supreme Being) and man? Rather, How can man be made in the image of God, if God is a spirit? (Unless otherwise noted, man refers to mankind that includes both male and female.) In this essay, I will discuss what does the word “image” mean Biblically, compare image with the word likeness and finally try to answer the image distinction of physical versus spirit. After I present my view, I will bring up some objections to this view and answer. Because this is a Christian concept the evidence for the majority of this paper will come from Scripture in order to accurately give a reason.