"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27)
God made man to be a reflection of His glory. He made us to be morally upright. He gave us reason and the ability to make our own choices. Mankind is the greatest of His creations. That is what made the fall of Adam so devastating.
The terms "image" and "likeness" are to be understood synonymously. The idea of human life having indelible value finds its basis in having been fashioned in the image of God. It is this factor which distinguishes man from the animal kingdom. Adam Clarke once noted:
"Gregory Nyssen has very properly observed that the superiority of man to all other parts of creation is seen in this, that all other creatures are represented as the effect of God's word, but man is represented as the work of God, according to plan and consideration: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. See his Works, vol. i., p. 52, c. 3."
God created man to represent Him on earth and to take care of creation. The earth was meant to be the domain of man. This is comparable in certain respects to the ancient Near Eastern idea of statues of kings or deity representing their presence. The object of emphasis was not so much physical appearance as more so one's special rights or privileges. It is in that sense we are made in the image of God.
The terms "image" and "likeness" are to be understood synonymously. The idea of human life having indelible value finds its basis in having been fashioned in the image of God. It is this factor which distinguishes man from the animal kingdom. Adam Clarke once noted:
"Gregory Nyssen has very properly observed that the superiority of man to all other parts of creation is seen in this, that all other creatures are represented as the effect of God's word, but man is represented as the work of God, according to plan and consideration: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. See his Works, vol. i., p. 52, c. 3."
God created man to represent Him on earth and to take care of creation. The earth was meant to be the domain of man. This is comparable in certain respects to the ancient Near Eastern idea of statues of kings or deity representing their presence. The object of emphasis was not so much physical appearance as more so one's special rights or privileges. It is in that sense we are made in the image of God.
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