what is the true image of God?

Answer 1

Thesis: The image of God refers to intellectual and relational abilities not found in animals --- the ability to think and reason, specifically to make moral decisions. Our ability has been corrupted by sin, but humans still have the potential for morality.

Humans were made in the ``image'' and ``likeness'' of God (Gen 1:26). These two terms have similar meaning and will be used interchangeably in this paper.1 But animals were not made in God's image.2 Philip Hughes summarizes our uniqueness: ``Man, whatever his affinities with the animal realm, is radically distinguished from all other earthly creatures by the fact that he alone has been created in the divine image and is intended by constitution to be a godly creature.''3

Although humans were created to be God-like, we are now sinful and unlike God in our morality (Rom. 3:10, 23). Nevertheless, we are still considered to be in God's image (Gen. 9:6; Jam. 3:9). Four concepts have been proposed as this image:

1) Thomas Aquinas located the image in the human ability to think and reason, to use language and art, far surpassing the abilities of any animals.4

2) Leonard Verduin says that the image consists in our dominion over animals and plants, which continues despite our sinfulness.5

3) A ``widely accepted interpretation'' is that the ``image'' is our ability to make moral decisions, which involve self-awareness and social awareness.6

4) Emil Brunner says that it is our ability to have a relationship with God, reflected in the tendency of all societies to have forms of worship.7

These four are inter-related, but it seems that concept 3 is dominant. Our rational abilities are not ends in themselves --- they enable us to make moral decisions, and our intellectual abilities are judged by morality. Morality also determines whether we are using dominion rightly and whether our relationships with God and humans are right.

Rationality and dominion help distinguish humans from animals, so they may be considered aspects of the image of God, but they do not constitute all that the image is. Rather, it is the purpose for which we use rationality and dominion that is of greater importance. People who have low intelligence and limited dominion are, if they love God and neighbor, closer to the desired image of God than a wicked genius dictator is. Mental skills and rulership are God-like only if they are used in a moral way. Morality is the standard by which thoughts and actions are judged, so I conclude that, although cognition and dominion are aspects of the divine image, morality is a more significant aspect.8

Aquinas' emphasis on mental abilities is too broad, and the focus on dominion is too narrow. Humans are not unique in ruling, and we conform to the image of Christ primarily by submitting to rule, not by ruling. The manner of our rule is far more important than the fact of our rule --- it is essential that we rule morally, in right relationship with God and other beings. Morality involves our relationships with other people, and also with the divine Person, but relationship in itself is not sufficient. The relative importance of morality and relationships will be further analyzed in the next section of this paper.

Answer 2

The term "image of God" occurs three times in the Bible. In Genesis 1:26-27 and 9:6, we find out that man is created in the image of God. In 2 Cor. 4:4 we see the phrase used in reference to Jesus who is the "image of God." There is no exact understanding of what the phrase means, but we can generalize. It would seem that the first two verses refer to God's character and attributes that are reflected in people. The term cannot be a reference to a physical appearance of God since Jesus says in John 4:24 that God is Spirit, and in Luke 24:39 Spirit does not have flesh and bones. Therefore, we can conclude that the image of God deals with humanity's reflection of God in such things as compassion, rationality, love, hatred, fellowship, etc. God exhibits all of these characteristics, as do people.

As a side note, in 1 Cor. 11:7 man is considered the image and glory of God and the woman is the glory of man. But, we know from Genesis 1:27 that both male and female are created in the image of God.

The third verse, 2 Cor. 4:4, is specifically in reference to Christ. It says, "in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." We know that Jesus was in the likeness of God (Phil. 2:5-8) and is the exact presentation of the nature of the Father (Heb. 1:3). Therefore, we can understand why Paul says that Christ is the image of God. But Jesus is a perfect image of God, where we are not. Jesus never sinned (1 Peter 2:22) and always did the will of the Father (John 6:37-40).

There are different opinions among Christians as to exactly what the image of God is, and to what extent it was affected by the sin of Adam. Undoubtedly, the image of God continued after the fall (Genesis 9:6), which states that whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed because he was made in the image of God.

Finally, because everyone is made in the image of God, then everyone should be treated with proper respect and honor because they reflect God. Of course, we know that many people are full of evil and hatred and we must guard ourselves and others against them. Still, we are to treat others with respect.

https://carm.org/questions/about-people/what-meant-when-it-says-man-made-image-god

Answer 3

I don't think there is a "true image of God" because each of us has his or her own viewpoint on what God may or may not look like.

Answer 4

The true image of god is that it has mind to think and communicate with God, emotions to feel love, sympathy, hatred, and etc. ... but I have no idea waht the last one is... -__-;;

well, go look in the bible..

Answer 5

Love

Answer 6

Any unselfish deed that helps someone else without asking for anything in return.

Answer 7

No one knows. It's all in the imagination.

Can somebody answer my recent question?

Answer 8

Long cat

Answer 9

She is Love

Answer 10

Look in the mirror.........and then smile...yes a big smile!