What does it mean when God created us within his own image?

Question

Well through out my childhood i was raised Catholic, but ever since my older brother converted himself along with his wife to a mormon church I also started going there instead. Now, I learned alot of new stuff there. But my most concern is about the beliefe of God's nature: for instance they claim that God is not a man but an exalted man & in genesis where it reads that God created us within his own image, meaning that God is also in our likeness but exalted.

They also claim that the trinity where God, Christ, Holyspirit are one is false, but are separate beings(Godwith body &spirit & Christ also but holy spirit has no body but a transparent spirit) for example, when after Christ was baptised God send him the holy spirit within the form of a dove, meaning they were all separate beings. And after Christ recieved it thats when he started all of his mircales, if you read carefully in the NT. I thnk this is too simple for others to except, but I want honest opinions on this matter!!

Answer 1

The following is an explanation of this teaching.

"God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them."218 Man occupies a unique place in creation: (I) he is "in the image of God"; (II) in his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds; (III) he is created "male and female"; (IV) God established him in his friendship.

I. "In the Image of God"

Of all visible creatures only man is "able to know and love his creator."219 He is "the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake,"220 and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God's own life. It was for this end that he was created, and this is the fundamental reason for his dignity:

What made you establish man in so great a dignity? Certainly the incalculable love by which you have looked on your creature in yourself! You are taken with love for her; for by love indeed you created her, by love you have given her a being capable of tasting your eternal Good.221

Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.
Peace and every blessing!

Answer 2

It sounds like heavy on details. That's OK, but you don't have to accept it or even talk about it if it troubles you or anyone else.
It is perfectly normal to be both a Catholic and go to some other religion for other purposes. Fellowship is an accepted need of people and important to the health of everyone. So if the Morman Religion is good for you, then so be it, but it does not mean you are not a Catholic. You just need to keep those feelings and convictions private for now if you think it would disturb others.
Let them think what they want, but remember that there is a price that you must pay for what they give you. So pay it. The Catholic Church is not going to seek you out and punish you.
In fact, they will welcome you as a member when you visit them.

Answer 3

Ge. 1:26-28
The crown of God's work was the creation of man in His image and according to His likeness. This means that man was placed on earth as God's representative, and that He resembles God in certain ways. Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body). Like God, man has intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional nature that transcends instinct. There is no thought of physical likeness here. In contrast to animals, man is a worshiper, an articulate communicator, and a creator.

One can carefully study the doctrines and theologies of the Mormon beliefs (see sources below), and can then form their own conclusions. I see no issue with someone objectively stating their opinions if they are based on a rational analysis of the issues. I have found the non-Christian religions, such as Mormonism, to be philosophically indefensible, being internally incoherent or undermining human reason and experience.

Mormonism Summary:
http://www.carm.org/lds/nutshell.htm

Is Mormonism Christian?:
http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_christian.htm

Doctrinal Writings of Mormon Leaders:
http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_doctrines.htm

More details for those wanting to go deeper:
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
http://www.lhvm.org/index2.htm
http://www.mormonchallenge.com/ref_compare.htm

There are many members of religious groups that have staked their eternal souls on their beliefs without searching the scriptures, reviewing the doctrinal writings of church leaders, studying hermeneutics, philosophy, logic, and theology to satisfy themselves that what they have been told is sufficiently rational and worth believing.

Answer 4

I think it said the spirit landed on him and led him out into the desert to be tempted.In my opinion the soul is the fruit desired the Holy spirit is entwined in our souls as a guide, councilor, teacher. God the Father God the son and holy spirit the three are one in spirit. Good question people have been discussing this one for years.Jesus was with God the Father in the beginning. If the soul is grown and the spirit entwined, Jesus must have been in their to. tough question!

Answer 5

I could undestand the dilema in you because of bringing up in two Schools of Churches that is Catholic & the Mormon.Let us not discuss on that.It is true that God created us within his own image.We all are experiencing his true Love because he sacrificed Himself for all of us by being crusified for nofault of Him.In human image only this happened & hence we are able to have such a stronger faith.Our brain can absorb only that much about God.Lead a good life by spreading the spirit & radiate all the Goodness He has taught us & that will give plenty of Solace to our Body & Mind.

Answer 6

Simply put, we were created in God's image, so we look like he does. As for the trinity, God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are all separate beings. When it says in the Bible that "they are one", it is not meant literally. It means that they are one in purpose, not in being.

Answer 7

1. He is the one God, Who has no partner.
2. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not created, nor a part of His creation.
3. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just.
4. There is no other entity in the entire universe worthy of worship besides Him.
5. He is First, Last, and Everlasting; He was when nothing was, and will be when nothing else remains.
6. He is the All-Knowing, and All-Merciful,the Supreme, the Sovereign.
7. It is only He Who is capable of granting life to anything.
8. He sent His Messengers (peace be upon them) to guide all of mankind.
9. He sent Muhammad (pbuh) as the last Prophet and Messenger for all mankind.
10. His book is the Holy Qur'an, the only authentic revealed book in the world that has been kept without change.
11. Allah knows what is in our hearts.





These are some of the basic guidelines Muslims follow in their knowledge of God:

1. Eliminate any anthropomorphism (human qualities) from their conception of Allah. His attributes are not like human attributes,despite similar labels or appellations.
2. Have unwavering faith in exactly what Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described Allah to be, no more, no less.
3. Eradicate any hope or desire of learning or knowing the modality of His names and attributes.
4. Belief totally in all the names and attributes of Allah; one cannot believe in some and disbelieve the others.
5. One cannot accept the names of Allah without their associated attributes, i.e. one cannot say He is Al-Hayy - 'The Living' and then say that He is without life.
6. Similarity in names (or meanings) does not imply similarity in what is being described (referents). As a robotic arm differs from a human arm, so the "hand" of Allah is nothing like a human hand, His speech is nothing like human speech, etc.
7. Certain words are ambiguous or vague in their meanings, and thus may be susceptible to misinterpretation. Only those meanings that are in accordance with what is specified by Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) are acceptable.

Answer 8

honest opinion, the word is spelled wrong moron, not mormon. As they say in Utah, there are two types of people, Mormons and Mormon haters. I think the latter are smarter ones. Time for you o get away from older brother and think for yourself.
As far as man being made in god's image, that's backwards, god was made in man's image.

Answer 9

Head, torso, 2 arms, 2 legs, 10 fingers, 10 toes, etc.

Answer 10

Real simple.Jesus is God.And He is spirit but also a physical man.We are men.Made in the image of Jesus.