Imago Dei

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our own image, to be like us.  They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals along the ground.” So God created in his own image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:26 and 27. 


Defining Imago Dei
Estep and Kim (2010) state, “We are human because we are made in the image of God…The imago Dei is the definitive mark of our maker” (p. 11).  Humanity, men and women resemble in some small way, the Triune God.  According to Migliore (2004) the Imago Die has been understood by some to mean that humans have a “physical resemblance” in some way to God, for others it is understood in terms of the “rational nature of human beings,” still others understand it in relationship to humanity’s “dominion over the earth.”  Added to the list is “human freedom,” and finally, “human life in relationship” (Migliore, 2004, p. 140-141). 

I, like Migliore (2004), understand imago Dei, above other explanations, in terms relationship with others.  God is love (1 John 4:16), and God’s very nature is triune- is relationship.  Given this reality, it makes sense that humanities ability to love, and our innate desire to be with others is a trait we share with God.  Perhaps this, in part, is why the greatest commandments for humanity are to love God and to love one another (Matthew 22:37-39).  God is love, God exists as a relationship, and God created the universe for the purpose of relationship.  To be made in the image of God then, must include our inherent nature to seek relationship with God, and with one another. 

Ministry Impact
If imago Dei largely means that we are meant to be in relationship with God and others then fostering relationships is a crucial component of faith formation.  Effective Christian ministry connects individuals not only to God, but also with other Christians.  Christian faith formation needs experiences where individuals are ushered into the presence of God, and shared experiences among others.  Children and youth need to be integrated into the greater life of the church.  A deep faith in Christ cannot occur in isolation.     

Impact on Developmental Theory
That every human is created in the image of God means developmental theories cannot marginalize or over simplifying humanity.  For example, as Wilhoit and Detonni (1995) point out, “human beings are integrated wholes” (p. 35).   Everything that makes us human – that makes us made in the image of God.  In regards to imago Dei, effective developmental theories are those that explore the impact relationships with others, and with God, have on the development of individuals.  Theories must never forget the complexities of humanity, those who are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14). 

Estep, J. R., & Kim, J. H. (Eds.) (2010). Christian formation: Integrating theology and human development. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.

Milgore, D.L. (2004).  Faith seeking understanding: An introduction to Christian theology.  2^nd Ed.  Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 

Wilhoit, J. C., & Dettoni, J. M. (Eds.) (1995). Nurture that is Christian: Developmental perspectives on Christian education. Grand Rapids, MI: BridgePoint Books