What is the Image of God

(Originally written March 1, 2006 in Book 23)

Doctrine of Humanity, Part One:

Imago Dei (Image of God)

Genesis 1:26-28; James 3:9,

A Faith for all Season Ch. 6

Biblical and Theological Interpretation

Created natural and spiritual

natural -
Genesis 1:26 (we share day 6 with land animals)
Genesis 2:7a (Adam formed from dust)

Spiritual-
Genesis 1:27 (image x3)
Genesis 2:15-17 Cultivates the earth (Doctrine of vocation or cultural mandate)
Genesis 2:18-20 (names the animals)

What is the 'image of God?'

1. Human capacities and abilities
natural: self-directed
moral: other directed
-conscience
-judicial sentiment
-spiritual:God-directed

2. Relationships with others (Barth)