question about "in His own image"?

Question

So, Genesis explains that God created man in his own image, right? I once heard that the hebrew word for "image" used in that passage was a word referring to the spiritual image, not the physical image. Meaning that humans were created to reflect God's intelligence and ability to discern right from wrong, not to reflect what God physically looks like. Does anyone know what I'm talking about...is there a source where I can find more info on this?

Answer 1

You need go no further than Genesis.
Genesis 1 says Let US create man in OUR image.
Genesis 2 demonstrates how God created man in his image.
God formed man form the dust (flesh)
God breathed in life(spirit)
And man be came a living soul.
God made man differn't than the animals that perish with their flesh.
God made man more than one part he added an eternal spirit.
Man is in God's image having not only flesh but also an eternal spirit and these parts make up ONE man.
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and these are ONE God.

Answer 2

There is a book called Elemental Theology I used it as a text book in college. It's in my car and my dad has my car so I can't go get it to see the author or the isbn # Sorry! But at least you have the title... Another is - the Great Doctrines of the Bible. I'm not exactly sure if that will have much on this subject but you could check.

BTW. In case you are wondering, I do know what you are talking about.

Answer 3

Human beings in God's image

Genesis 1:26 describes man as created in the image of God. This helps us understand what Paul meant when he spoke of us as God's children. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17, King James Version).

This passage succinctly summarizes the purpose of human life—the ultimate reason for our existence. God is creating a family—His family, in His image and bearing His name, to eventually appear in His glory (see also 1 John 3:2). Every human being will have the opportunity to become a member of that divine, eternal family!

Notice what God intends to do: "In bringing many sons to glory ['glory' means divine radiance, power and perfection as members of God's family], it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation [Jesus Christ] perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy [Christ] and those who are made holy [human beings in whom God is working] are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers" (Hebrews 2:10-11, New International Version).

The unimaginably good news is that every human being will have the chance to enter the family of God, receive divine glory and live forever as the same kind of beings the Father and Christ now are. This, too, is part of the staggering reality of Christ's gospel and the message proclaimed by the United Church of God.

God's plan includes all who have ever lived

Answer 4

God the Father is a spirit, His image is sprits, spirits can not see other spirits, they only know their thoughts. Those in the spirit world spirits can see us, but can not enteract with us. However once a spirit is made flesh they can not see into or remember the spirit world.

Children of God the Father who art in heaven where made in his image, in his likeness, this is who we are.

The children of the devil, who art in hell where made in his image after his likeness.

And human child does what his father does and says and this makes them ONE. (an image and likeness of the father)
A spiritual child does what his father does and says and this makes them ONE. (an image and likeness of the Father)

Answer 5

You are right - the use of the word "image" is not literal in that context. We don't look like God. Elsewhere in the Bible it explains that nobody can look upon God - and there are no images of God. Nobody has seen him or knows what he looks like.

Answer 6

God is a spiritual being; so 'in his image' refers to his
character not his appearance.
But so that we could stop struggling over that,
he sent us his Son Jesus, so we could see what he was like.
Now we have a physical example of the likeness of GOD.
Then Jesus gave us the gift of his Spirit so we could be like him.

Answer 7

Do I have a source? No. However, I can attest to the accuracy of your statement, except for one thing. Adam & Eve gained the knowledge of right and wrong after they ate the fruit in the Garden (disobediently).

Answer 8

The Bible also says that God is a spirit and a consuming fire. He is a source of energy to me we worship in spirit and truth and is seeking those that worship him in spirit and truth. He said when the praises go up the glory comes down so to me it is his energy.

Answer 9

I think it is impossible to know for sure, but through out the Bible you can see how we spiritually reflect Him.

Answer 10

genesis is part of the religious BS that the "bible" contains...

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