Implications of Imago Dei

3 min read

The term "Imago Dei" comes from the Latin phrase meaning "image of God." It is based on the creation account in the book of Genesis, specifically the verse above. The theological concept of Imago Dei implies that human beings are special in some way. We have some unique traits or nature which reflect the character of God in a way that other species do not. Though Christians may have varying views of the exact meaning of the concept, there seem to be a few general themes of Imago Dei:

Inherent dignity and value

Throughout history, many horrendous human rights violations have occurred, such as the Transatlantic slave trade or the Holocaust, that rely on the idea that some humans are less valuable than others. Acts of racism and sexism sit on the same false belief and view human value as something subjective, mutable, or even a means to an end. To avoid such injustice, Christians should recognize that all humans, being made by God and in His image, have inherent value simply by virtue of their humanness. As stewards of life, we are uniquely responsible for upholding and affirming it. Accepting this premise opens the doorway to respecting all humans and speaking up against injustice.

“Christians must once again become known as those who honor the whole person. The reason they speak out on moral issues should not be because their beliefs are being threatened or because they feel ‘offended.’…. Christians must make it clear that they are speaking out because they genuinely care about people” (Pearcey, Love Thy Body, 190).

Creativity and Aesthetics

God is creative, as we can see from the very first verse of the Bible. Being made in His image and likeness means that we too are creative. The theology of creativity is often neglected in conversations about what it means to be made in His image, but it matters greatly. Being creative not only means that we can express this God-given faculty of creativity, but we can also perceive art and aesthetics. We can call a painting or a mountainous landscape "beautiful", not just because of our personal preferences but as an appreciation of things that are a reflection of divine beauty.

Emotion and relationships

God's tri-unity sets Him apart from the gods of other religions. God, being three distinct persons makes Him deeply relational. The concept of the Triune God can be seen as relational in several ways. God, not a solitary being, exists in a community of persons who are united in love and purpose. God is also relational in his interactions with humanity. He is a personal and emotional God, who can relate to us and desires closeness with us. God, the father, sent Christ the son, to live amongst humanity. Jesus formed friendships on Earth and is still a friend to us now, in heaven. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in the love of God and love others the way God loves us. Intimacy, trust, and love are attributes we may understand to be between the persons of the Trinity and also things we desire in our closest friendships. Of course, our nature is tainted by sin, but our desire for security, love, and closeness from others are, in their purest form, reflections of the heart of God.

The concept of Imago Dei is an important theological doctrine that has significant implications for how Christians view and interact with the world around us. Recognizing the inherent dignity and value of every single human from conception to death, embracing our creativity as a reflection of God's own creativity, and valuing emotional and relational connections all flow from the belief that human beings are made in the image of God. As Christians seek to live out their faith in the world, keeping the Imago Dei in mind can guide their actions and attitudes toward one another, leading to greater love, compassion, and justice for all.