December 22, 2022
TBC Staff
Are we just another animal? We can argue about DNA, brain size, and upright stature, but Genesis 1 emphasizes an infinitely greater privilege that sets mankind apart.
Implications of an Anti-Biblical View: Atheism views man as simply a material being like all other animals. In many ways, this is the predominant view of popular culture: man may have “evolutionary advantages” over animals in reason, communication, and some physical abilities but is not a spiritual or sacred being with a purpose and destiny higher than that of the animals.)
In this view, man lives and dies like the beast. Thus concentration camps, gulags, killing fields, and abortion clinics are all monuments to atheism. Such degraded views of man—particularly in denying that man is made in the image of God—inevitably industrialize human misery.
Biblical Worldview: God’s Word, in contrast, views man as the pinnacle of God’s handiwork. On the sixth day of Creation, as His final work, God created man as a physical and spiritual being. His physical aspect was formed from the ground (Genesis:2:7And 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 soul.
See All...) and his spiritual aspect came from God (Ecclesiastes:12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
See All...). The animals, created on Day Five, resemble man in that they were also formed from the ground (Genesis:2:19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
See All...) and have the breath of life (Genesis:1:30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
See All..., 6:17, 7:15, 7:22; Ecclesiastes:3:19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
See All...). But although the animals resemble man in certain aspects, man surpasses them because God breathed directly into man and because He made man in His own image. Thus God crowned man with glory and majesty to rule over the works of His hand (Psalm:8:5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
See All...–6).
But what exactly is the image of God and what are the implications of man being made in His image? The answers and applications of such questions are essential to the Christian because they dictate human happiness or wretchedness—and often life and death. The image of God consists of the spiritual part of man that reflects the character of God and is the only firm basis for advocating the dignity of man, the sanctity of life, and the gracious redemption of sinners.
The Image of God: Its Nature: Genesis references the image of God three times (Genesis:1:26And 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.
See All...–27, 9:6). In Genesis:1:26And 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.
See All...–27, God made man in His image—a phrase repeated in verse 27 for emphasis—that man might rule over nature. The word image often describes physical objects that are “cut out,” such as the physical images of false gods (2 Kings:11:18And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
See All...) or the golden images (replicas) of the mice and tumors that God had sent as plagues upon the Philistines (1 Samuel:6:5Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
See All...).1
Man was created in His image. This is no idle emphasis. Some interpreters have questioned whether the preposition should be read “as our image” in order to argue for a physical image of God. Others have tried to minimize the implication that we are like God in many ways. But the preposition in is significant here. It depicts the standard or pattern in which God created: God created man in (the pattern of) His image.2 Similarly, in Exodus:25:40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
See All..., God commanded Moses to make the furniture of the temple “in [the pattern of] their structure.” In Genesis:9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
See All..., the image of God is mentioned again as the reason for capital punishment because man is made in the image of God. In all three cases where the phrase appears in Genesis, God’s image sets man apart from the rest of the earthly creation as a reflection of God, equips man to rule over nature, and ennobles human life.
Biblical Worldview: God’s Word, in contrast, views man as the pinnacle of God’s handiwork. On the sixth day of Creation, as His final work, God created man as a physical and spiritual being. His physical aspect was formed from the ground (Genesis:2:7And 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 soul.
See All...) and his spiritual aspect came from God (Ecclesiastes:12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
See All...). The animals, created on Day Five, resemble man in that they were also formed from the ground (Genesis:2:19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
See All...) and have the breath of life (Genesis:1:30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
See All..., 6:17, 7:15, 7:22; Ecclesiastes:3:19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
See All...). But although the animals resemble man in certain aspects, man surpasses them because God breathed directly into man and because He made man in His own image. Thus God crowned man with glory and majesty to rule over the works of His hand (Psalm:8:5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
See All...–6).
But what exactly is the image of God and what are the implications of man being made in His image? The answers and applications of such questions are essential to the Christian because they dictate human happiness or wretchedness—and often life and death. The image of God consists of the spiritual part of man that reflects the character of God and is the only firm basis for advocating the dignity of man, the sanctity of life, and the gracious redemption of sinners.
The Image of God: Its Nature: Genesis references the image of God three times (Genesis:1:26And 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.
See All...–27, 9:6). In Genesis:1:26And 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.
See All...–27, God made man in His image—a phrase repeated in verse 27 for emphasis—that man might rule over nature. The word image often describes physical objects that are “cut out,” such as the physical images of false gods (2 Kings:11:18And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
See All...) or the golden images (replicas) of the mice and tumors that God had sent as plagues upon the Philistines (1 Samuel:6:5Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
See All...).1
Man was created in His image. This is no idle emphasis. Some interpreters have questioned whether the preposition should be read “as our image” in order to argue for a physical image of God. Others have tried to minimize the implication that we are like God in many ways. But the preposition in is significant here. It depicts the standard or pattern in which God created: God created man in (the pattern of) His image.2 Similarly, in Exodus:25:40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
See All..., God commanded Moses to make the furniture of the temple “in [the pattern of] their structure.” In Genesis:9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
See All..., the image of God is mentioned again as the reason for capital punishment because man is made in the image of God. In all three cases where the phrase appears in Genesis, God’s image sets man apart from the rest of the earthly creation as a reflection of God, equips man to rule over nature, and ennobles human life.
The image of God is further explained in Genesis:1:26And 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.
See All... by the complementary prepositional phrase “according to our likeness.” Likeness means “resemblance” or “similitude.”3 Often used in comparisons (something is like something else), likeness usually describes appearances (something resembles something else in appearance). Ezekiel, for example, compares the likeness (appearance) of the faces of heavenly beings to the face of man (Ezekiel:1:10As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
See All...). The preposition in the phrase “according to His likeness” means “the like of, like, or as,” so God created man in His image as the like of His likeness. The theologian John Laidlaw opined that the image of God refers to “those features in God of which man is a copy.”4 Simply put, God’s image reflects similarities between God and man.
But how is man similar to God? Certainly, the resemblance excludes the physical body since God is a spirit (John:4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
See All...). Moreover, it excludes creaturely limitations since God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in all His attributes (Psalm:90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
See All...; Malachi:3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
See All...; Jeremiah:23:24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
See All...). Man resembles God in having a free, rational, personal spirit, including a conscience with God’s law written upon his heart (Romans:2:14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
See All...–16); therefore, man can rule over nature in a way similar to how God reigns.5 The Targums, the official interpretation of the synagogue in the time of Christ, explain man’s rational, personal spirit in Genesis:2:7And 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 soul.
See All...: “And it [the breath of life] became in man as a spirit that speaks.” Human beings, in contrast with the animals, can reason, converse, and fellowship with each other. But most important, because man resembles God spiritually, he can fellowship with God.
But to fellowship with God, the image of God in man must reflect God’s holy character, especially in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness—as characterized by and the products of the truth. In Colossians:3:10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
See All..., Paul speaks of God’s image: “And [we] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” In regeneration, God is renewing His image within us in the true knowledge of God. Such knowledge of God is eternal life.
In the parallel passage, Ephesians:4:24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
See All..., Paul writes, “And that you put on the new man which was created according to [the image of]6 God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Paul reveals that God’s image includes more than a free, rational, personal spirit but that God’s image originally possessed a knowledge of God, righteousness, and holiness that was permeated by truth. This type of righteousness and holiness reflects God’s moral excellence. Again, humanity’s resemblance to God is spiritual. Sin destroyed the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness that Adam possessed; so man is born alienated from God, “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians:2:1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
See All...), though still possessing the image of God now damaged by sin. Regeneration, however, begins the process of renewing the image of God by restoring the lost knowledge, righteousness, and holiness in the believer. This process continues to the end of the believer’s earthly life.
See All... by the complementary prepositional phrase “according to our likeness.” Likeness means “resemblance” or “similitude.”3 Often used in comparisons (something is like something else), likeness usually describes appearances (something resembles something else in appearance). Ezekiel, for example, compares the likeness (appearance) of the faces of heavenly beings to the face of man (Ezekiel:1:10As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
See All...). The preposition in the phrase “according to His likeness” means “the like of, like, or as,” so God created man in His image as the like of His likeness. The theologian John Laidlaw opined that the image of God refers to “those features in God of which man is a copy.”4 Simply put, God’s image reflects similarities between God and man.
But how is man similar to God? Certainly, the resemblance excludes the physical body since God is a spirit (John:4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
See All...). Moreover, it excludes creaturely limitations since God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in all His attributes (Psalm:90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
See All...; Malachi:3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
See All...; Jeremiah:23:24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
See All...). Man resembles God in having a free, rational, personal spirit, including a conscience with God’s law written upon his heart (Romans:2:14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
See All...–16); therefore, man can rule over nature in a way similar to how God reigns.5 The Targums, the official interpretation of the synagogue in the time of Christ, explain man’s rational, personal spirit in Genesis:2:7And 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 soul.
See All...: “And it [the breath of life] became in man as a spirit that speaks.” Human beings, in contrast with the animals, can reason, converse, and fellowship with each other. But most important, because man resembles God spiritually, he can fellowship with God.
But to fellowship with God, the image of God in man must reflect God’s holy character, especially in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness—as characterized by and the products of the truth. In Colossians:3:10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
See All..., Paul speaks of God’s image: “And [we] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” In regeneration, God is renewing His image within us in the true knowledge of God. Such knowledge of God is eternal life.
In the parallel passage, Ephesians:4:24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
See All..., Paul writes, “And that you put on the new man which was created according to [the image of]6 God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Paul reveals that God’s image includes more than a free, rational, personal spirit but that God’s image originally possessed a knowledge of God, righteousness, and holiness that was permeated by truth. This type of righteousness and holiness reflects God’s moral excellence. Again, humanity’s resemblance to God is spiritual. Sin destroyed the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness that Adam possessed; so man is born alienated from God, “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians:2:1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
See All...), though still possessing the image of God now damaged by sin. Regeneration, however, begins the process of renewing the image of God by restoring the lost knowledge, righteousness, and holiness in the believer. This process continues to the end of the believer’s earthly life.
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