Man in His Image?

Question

Some branches of Christianity have encompassed the seemingly at-odds theories of evolution and creationism by saying that God started the process of evolution and thus both things are not necessarily conflicting. If the bible states that man was created in His image, then how exactly does that account for our development into what we are or what we will be? Were we in his image in our earlier stages of development, or are we aspiring and evolving into something that in the millenia to come will be Godlike? Are future generations closer to or further from God?
Just trying to look at this from another angle.
Thanks in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

Interesting question, and frankly it's nice to see one in here.

We know the Bible tells of the creation in a metaphorical sense, it is truly foolish to believe there was an Adam and Eve, they are merely representations (this is accepted by most Theologians).

Now, one could say that God manipulated the DNA and Breeding of our evolutionary forefathers to become what we are today. Given that we can do it in a lab, it's not really a leap of logic or science. Secondly, you make an interesting point as well that perhaps we have not yet finished our developing journey. Who knows, we may not yet be in His image. We know that humans are developing unique abilities, some forms of ESP etc. One day we may in fact become Godlike in both image and power. It is not sacrilege to say this, it is merely a supposition. In the end, we may never know or we may know all.

Answer 2

I will try to explain the way that i see how God created man in his own image. Yes i do believe that God created Adam in his image. Then he created Eve as well. They walked in the Garden Of Eden with God each day until they sinned and disobeyed God. God was still the creator. Man just did not get sick or feel any pain. The fact that they walked with God each day made their existence as though they were living in Paradise. When sin entered the world sickness came in and so did pain and much grief. Sin changed things because man now dies and can not learn but so much nor live but so long. We will never become God like as long as we live on the earth as it is today. The future generations will think that they are making great strides and will tell themselves that they are God like but will continue to die as all humans do.

Answer 3

The image or reflection of God is; His many qualities such as LOVE and many know that God IS Love and from THAT Love emanates His Good qualities which are: kindness and loving it (the Kindness, that is), Wisdom along with discerning knowledge, empathy for all Life, graciousness and yes, God IS Humble or else He would never put up with us this long.
Just remember though, He's not going to hold off forever--His DAY is coming like a stealthy big jungle cat---slow but sure until the end when with one swift advance THE END.

Answer 4

I think you are focusing on the physical image, when what is meant when we say we are in God's image is the spiritual image.
God is described as "Spirit" in the Bible and we are in his image when we show kindness, patience, wisdom, generosity, sacrifice for others, gentlness, forgiveness....

As far as Evolution - I am a Christian and there is no doubt of Micro-Evoltion - i.e. how birds beaks have adapted, etc. but I disagree with Macro-Evolution - that all we see and know developed from an acid or speck. There is too much complexity, beauty, intelligence and creativity in our world to support it all being accidental.
By the way, where would the speck have come from?

Thanks

Answer 5

Perhaps the image isn't physical but inetellectual: a thinking, learning being. That would mean that those who reject evolution by willful ignorance have turned their backs on God.

Answer 6

God is Holy, and the Man that He formed was also holy. They originally had fellowship with each other until man sinned. Sin tarnished the Image of God in man until it was virtually unrecognizable. The natural man is separated from the life of God due to the hardness of his heart and a lack of understanding.Jesus was and is God's Son. He provided the way for man to be reconciled to God once again and to know fellowship with Him. He died on a Roman cross so that we could know forgiveness of sin, have our spirits made alive within us, and know all the blessings of God in this life and arrive in Heaven at the point of our death. The Image of God in man is the spirit He has caused to live in those of us who have accepted and received the gift of reconciliation that Jesus died to give us.

Answer 7

Interesting question.

When we talk about being made in God's image, we are assuming that He means made in His physical, visual image. Surely we are being foolish to do so. Our identity, our being is far deeper than our physical image reflects, and I think that is in the image of the Maker.

You've heard the term that our bodies are temples of the Lord? I believe that represents what the bible means about us being made in His image.

Answer 8

God is a spirit creature, so therefore we were not created in his physical image it was his spiritual image, we were created in.

Answer 9

we are made in His image, there's no need for change.
Christians who embrace evolution. Are just to cowardly to stand up for what the bible says/. When God creates something He creates it perfect, there is no need for it to evolve.

Answer 10

You're good questions high-light the fact that evolution and the Bible account cannot be fused together.
They are polar opposites.
One must choose.