I would just like to hear what various people believe about humans and their place in the universe.
2007-03-07 16:47:05 · 8 answers · asked by DawnL 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a Christian and I beleive that "man" was created in the image of God. Imago Dei (literally, “image of God”) is a Latin theological term signifying a unique, though somewhat mysterious relationship between deity and humanity. The Imago Dei distinguishes humanity from all the rest of the material creation and has to do with humankind’s special relationship to the Creator. The Imago Dei is explicitly taught in the Bible (Gen. 1: 26, 27; Gen. 9:6 ; 1 Cor. 11: 7 ; James 3: 9 ; 2 Cor. 4:4 and Col. 1:15 ). What does it mean to be "made in the image of God"?
(1) Moral Aspects: Human beings are moral creatures - held accountable to God for their actions. This moral aspect in the human being is reflected in:
(a) The workings of conscience. Humans have an inner sense of right and wrong, of justice and injustice of righteousness and unrighteousness, good and evil, and so on.
(b) Freedom of choice or will. Man has free-will capacity to make rational and moral choices.
(2) Intellectual Aspects:
(a) Rational thought. Human beings have the ability to reason and think logically and engage in abstract thinking.
(b) Speech and language. Only humans communicate by speech and writing.
(c) Human creativity. Humans imitate their Creator in their delight in creating and bringing forth new things.
(d) Awareness of the distant future. Humans are the only earthly creatures that can imagine their own deaths, the possibility of a life beyond, and prepare accordingly.
(3) Emotional Aspects: Human beings are like God in the complexity of the emotions that they can experience.
(4) Spiritual Aspects: Human beings have a spiritual dimension, which manifests itself in the impulse to worship.
(5) Relational Aspects: There is an “I-Thou” dynamic within humanity just as exists within the Godhead. Being made in
the image of God means that human beings were created to have a sense of community, of solidarity, not only with their fellow human beings, but also with the rest of the created order.
What is the purpose of the Imago Dei?
The only way in which Genesis explains the image of God is to define its purpose – humankind’s dominion over creation. The image of God was given to humankind in order that they might be and do on a finite level what God is and does on an infinite level. Humankind was created to reflect God in the created order.
2007-03-07 19:09:11 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spirit wars with the flesh. Our physical body has an "evil" nature. Selfish.
But humans have a dual nature. Both a physical
being, and a spiritual being.
Our conscience.
The spirit is bigger than the petty little physical side. If one wants to find it.
2007-03-07 16:55:34 · answer #2 · answered by Crazy like a Fox 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bitter sweet. Contradictory. Self regulated but overflowing with temptation. Save yourself some trouble, be wise, want less, enjoy and be happy.
2007-03-07 16:53:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Humans exist only to exist. The purpose of life is to live it, to experience it and enjoy its joys and pains.
2007-03-07 17:00:50 · answer #4 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An empty suitcase.
2007-03-07 16:56:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Purpose?
To serve the lord and do good.
2007-03-07 16:51:13 · answer #6 · answered by rimrocka 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God nature
2007-03-07 17:07:52 · answer #7 · answered by wb 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
esoteric and subjective...
2007-03-07 16:59:44 · answer #8 · answered by psicatt 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋