What does it mean when Genesis says we are made “in the image of God?”
What does it mean for humans to be image bearers?
This is one of the questions that arise from the Creation/Evolution
debate. In Genesis the Bible says that we are “made in the image of God,” and
the way we interpret this has an impact on the way we understand science. And
the way we interpret science has an impact on how we understand the theological
concept “image of God.”
Another way to phrase this question is “what makes us
different from the animals?” Evolutionary science says we are no different. We
are only better evolved animals. The Bible however teaches that we are set
apart as image bearers. If all truth is God’s truth how can we balance these
two ideas that seem to contradict each other?
To do this I am first going to look at the three most common
interpretations of the imago dei (image
of God).
Physical, Mental, and
Social Abilities – Humans are separated from the animals by our
intelligence, rational thinking, ingenuity, use of language, and the depths of
our social relationship.
Our Relationship with
God – Humans have a relationship with God different from the rest of
Creation, because it is characterized by a personal relationship. Christ revealed
himself to Creation as a human for this reason. Because of this relationship we
reflect the image of God.
The commission by God
to be his earthly Representatives – In the Near Eastern culture to which
Genesis was written; kings would put statues (images) of themselves up around
the kingdom, so the people would know their king. Similarly God commissioned
humans to carry out the role of representing himself to all creation. It is our
role and function on earth to reflect the living image of God to all creation.
For the purpose of this post I want to quickly look at the
compatibility of these views with modern science. In future posts I will
elaborate potential downfalls and perks of each interpretation.
Each one of these interpretations of the “image of God” may
tell some of the truth. But the interpretation we chose may also tell us as
much about ourselves as it does God, and some interpretations may be harder to
defend as science progresses.
Quick Observations
Physical, Mental, and
Social Abilities – Humans do have the upper hand here, but as science
progresses we are finding more in common with our fellow species than
different. This view also has the tendency for us to create a God that looks
like the things we like best about humanity.
Our Relationship with
God – Our relationship with God is unique, but how we interpret this
relationship determines the validity of this position. For example if we are defined
by our ability for introspection (our relationship with ourselves) or our
ability to worship (the capability of a relationship with God) we may still be
missing the point. For example, what happens if science develops the ability to interpret
the language of dolphins, and we discover they too commit acts of worship to
their Creator? Even further, what if we learn to communicate with dolphins, and
they have evolved the ability to form a reciprocal relationship with God.
Regardless of being a hypothetical scenario this begs the question, could
science one day prove that we are not unique in our ability to relate to God?
The potential for this type of thing to happen in the near future is unlikely,
but it is still a probability worth consideration. The philosophical
implications of science could prove we are not as unique as we thought.
The commission by God
to be his earthly Representatives – This view gives us little reason to
fret about what science may tell us.
Regardless of the advances in science the “image of God” is not affected
by our physical or mental similarities and difference to animals. Our role or
function in the universe to reflect God to all creation still sets us apart
from it.
The doctrine of the “image of God” is a powerful one that if
understood properly has the ability to reframe the way we understand ourselves
and other people. When we read of this concept in the Bible do we try to use it
for our own purposes? Do we frame it so that it brings glory to man and makes
us look powerful and unique? Or are we better off understanding it as our role
to bring that glory to God by reflecting his character to all of creation?
Check out my upcoming book at www.adhogan.com
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