This is a topic that comes up often in children’s church or youth groups. However, it is not relegated to those younger groups, adults also seek answers to this topic frequently. So, what exactly is a Biblical look at man as the image of God? Well to begin, let’s look at some verses that mention the image of God.

Most of the passages are found in Genesis, however there are some references in the New Testament. We find the image of God mentioned in Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” In Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” In Genesis 5:1-2, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God, He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.” In Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.”

In the New Testament we see the image of God mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:7, “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and the glory of God.” And then in James 3:9, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.

It is interesting that as we look at scripture and consider all the creatures that God made, only one, man, is said to be made in the image of God. Man is “like” God in some ways and represents God. The actual Hebrew word that is used for “likeness” refers to something that is similar but not identical to the thing it represents or is an “image” of.

Theologians have spent much time trying to specify one characteristic of man in which the image of God is primarily seen. Some have thought that the image of God consists in man’s intellectual ability or his ability to make moral decisions and willing choices, this view is known as the substantive view. Others hold to what is called the relational view. This view states that the “image” of God in man refers to man’s creation as male and female and the relational aspects that go with that. The third view that is held is that man’s dominion over the earth is what attributes the image of God to him, this view is known as the functional view.

As can be seen from the various views mentioned, this is a complex issue, and it would be irresponsible for me or anyone for that matter to say that the image of God is just one thing. The bible does not tell us specifically what the image of God is therefore we need to be careful in declaring what we believe the image to be. The best explanation as to what the image of God in man is, would be to say that every way in which man is like God is part of his being in the image and likeness of God.

So, in what ways do we reflect the image of God? First, we reflect the image of God Emotionally. Human beings experience a wide range of emotions such as grief, joy, and fear. We also reflect the image of God intellectually and volitionally. The human mind is rational, he is aware of himself, others, his environment and God. He is also able to make choices. Man reflects the image of God in a metaphysical manner as well. The human being is a living, personal, active person with personality. He is a complex unit of soul/spirit and body. Functionally the human reflects the image of God in that the human can produce offspring and exercise dominion over the earth including its lower creatures and natural resources. Morally the human being also reflects the image of God. As humans we can discern absolute standards of right and wrong. We also possess an ethical “oughtness” to do what is right. That is why all people of all times have an intuitive sense of absolute truth and morality. Finally, man reflects the image of God in that he has the capacity to engage in relationships with others and God. With all of that being said it can be seen that although all of the theories that have been postulated by the various theologians may be correct, the better way to define the image of God in man is to concede that all of these views put together give a better picture of what the image of God is.

As we consider this concept, I think it is good for us to reflect on our likeness to God more often. I think that it would amaze us to realize that when the creator of the universe wanted to create something in His image, something more like himself than the rest of creation, He made us. This realization should give us a profound sense of dignity and cause us to cherish all of God’s creation. A proper view of man in this area also elevates the worth of human life. When the proper view of man as being created in the image of God is lost in a society, a tragic downward spiral begins to take place. If man is seen to be no different or of no greater value than the animals, then his life is seen as expendable and events like the Holocaust take place. People of every kind and nation should be treated with dignity. That means all races, the elderly, those seriously ill, the mentally disabled, and children yet unborn.