Why does it use "in", rather than "as"? Because, to say "in" the image of God would imply that there is already an image, and that man is being created within it, or that man is the picture/image, which is defined as a representation of something, of God? Are humans representations of God, or something else? This is not only a Christian or Jewish question.
2007-12-01 20:25:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Made in God’s Image
The Bible explains the reason for the spiritual side of man’s nature, saying: “God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Our being formed “in God’s image” means that even though we have been tarnished by sin and imperfection, we have the ability to mirror certain qualities of God. (Romans 5:12) For example, we can be creative. We also have a measure of wisdom, a sense of justice, and the ability to show self-sacrificing love for one another. Furthermore, we can reflect on the past and plan for the future.
Adam was made “in God’s image.” (Genesis 1:27) That did not mean that Adam resembled God in appearance. Jehovah is an invisible spirit. (John 4:24) So Jehovah does not have a body of flesh and blood. Being made in God’s image meant that Adam was created with qualities like those of God, including love, wisdom, justice, and power. Adam was like his Father in another important way in that he possessed free will. Hence, Adam was not like a machine that can perform only what it is designed or programmed to do. Instead, he could make personal decisions, choosing between right and wrong. If he had chosen to obey God, he would have lived forever in Paradise on earth.
2007-12-02 12:26:29 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 1 explains God said let US create man in OUR image.
Genesis 2 shows how man is created from the dust (flesh)
God breathed life into him (spirit)
and man became a living soul (soul)
God created man above the animals more than flesh which returns to dust but with an eternal spirit.
2007-12-01 20:32:58 · answer #2 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As a J.W. and just come back from a meeting where this exact point was discussed.
We are made in God's 'image' not in form or looks [ we are flesh / God is spirit ] but in qualities.
God has given us the ability to love and hate. The hate part we should control. Jesus himseld became wrathful but did not sin when he threw the moneychangers out of the temple...Matthew 21;12...Mark 11;15
We also have the inbuilt capacity for mercy and self sacrifice.
Heroes act to save strangers lives.
Animals do not have this ability. For them is is always survival of the fittest.
2007-12-01 20:46:25 · answer #3 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The reason why in instead of as is precisely because there is no actual image of God considering he is a spirit being however to be made in his image refers to us being created with the same qualities as God (personality wise) we love, care have empathy, show remorse, weep, etc etc all of which are in mankind but no animal contains ALL of these same qualities
2007-12-01 20:31:16 · answer #4 · answered by kriss 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The word image means shadow. The Kedushat Levi covers this point very well.
The word is really supposed to be shadow, and it refers to how G-d responds to us as a result of how we act.
If we follow the Torah, there will be an abundance of blessings. If we don't follow the Torah, there will be affliction therapy.
This is a cycle that is continued throughout the Torah and writings.
In the same way as a shadow of our arm moves as a result of the way we move our arm, Hashem responds to is in the same way that we act.
There is another phrase that is used for this in other places. Midah ceneged midah. Measure for measure. Or it can also mean attribute for attribute.
G-d's actions towards us will reflect the attributes that we show first. But G-d's measures are more generous. We get less affliction therapy and more abundance than we deserve.
The attribute of measure for measure is one that we see in the lives of the people in the Torah. Joseph acted towards his brothers with evil reports. His brothers reacted to him by tossing him in the well.
No Torah lesson is complete without bringing it into our own lives. People tend to perceive us the way we perceive them and act towards us the way we act toward them. When a person goes to a strange town and finds that everyone is nice, it's a good bet that person is nice. If a person thinks everyone else drives poorly, it's a good chance they drive poorly.
May you all be blessed in your spiritual path.
Gershon
2007-12-01 21:23:25 · answer #5 · answered by Gershon b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God could not say " We are the Father , the Son, and Holy Spirit" . God can not lie.
2016-05-27 05:23:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even gramatically that is incorrect. It wouldn't be "man was made as the image of God". It is "in" because God preceded man. Therefore, his image preceded man. Thus, man was made created IN the image of God which was already there.
2007-12-01 20:29:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God is a three part being: Mind(The Father), Body(Jesus), and Spirit (The Holy Spirit). God created man as a three part being with Mind, body, and spirit.
Animals are only a two part creature with body and mind., but no spirit.
2007-12-01 23:07:17 · answer #8 · answered by allan b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means , God created us putting into us plenty of His traits......like, thinking power, capacity to distinguish between good and bad, the feelings of all kinds , capacity to laugh/smile and be happy when we are satisfied to happening of any good thing and cry/feel sad when there's some unhappy situation we find ourselves in.
2007-12-01 20:36:44 · answer #9 · answered by bikashroy9 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that we're designed to reflect what He IS.
He wanted us to reflect (hence the term "image") His qualities; The fact that he thinks, feels, creates -- all the things that He is.
Humans are designed to be His family, and were created for Him!
2007-12-01 20:29:16 · answer #10 · answered by Zazz 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋