Anthropology (Doctrine of Humanity): Image of God
1. The Creation of Humanity in God’s Image
Genesis 1:26–27 introduces the profound truth that humankind is created in the image and likeness of God. The language first shifts to the plural—“Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness”—then to the singular: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” The divine council language reveals that God alone creates, while the heavenly beings witness his work (Job 38:7).
This passage sets humanity apart as God’s representatives on earth. Being made in God’s image is not about possessing intelligence, emotions, or free will—qualities also shared in some degree by animals, and even mirrored artificially by machines. Rather, it is a status: humankind was created as God’s image. To be human is to be an imager of God, a visible representative of his rule and authority in the created order.
2. Misunderstandings about the Image of God
Throughout history, theologians have proposed various qualities that define the image of God—reasoning ability, conscience, language, the soul, or free will. But these definitions falter for two reasons. First, some animals share a measure of these abilities. Second, they fail to account for human dignity from conception. If the image of God were tied to mental or emotional capacities, the unborn or those with severe disabilities would not fully bear God’s image, a conclusion that undermines the biblical foundation of human sanctity.
Genesis itself shows that nephesh (“soul” or “living being”) applies not only to humans but also to animals (Gen 1:20, 30). Spirit and soul are not sharply distinguished in Hebrew thought, and both are linked to conscious life. The image of God, then, cannot be reduced to “having a soul.” Instead, the image is a status bestowed at creation—one either is an image bearer or is not. From conception, every human is God’s imager, whether or not they have developed reasoning, speech, or awareness.
3. Imaging God as Vocation and Function
The key lies in the grammar of Genesis 1:26. The phrase “in the image of God” should be understood functionally: humankind was created as God’s image, called to represent him on earth. This explains the immediate connection to the dominion mandate: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion” (Gen 1:28). To image God is to reflect his authority, steward creation, and extend his reign throughout the earth.
Humanity’s task, then, is priestly and kingly. We are called to rule the earth in a way that reflects the justice, holiness, and love of the Creator. This vocation echoes the structure of God’s heavenly council, where spiritual beings carry out his will in the unseen realm. Just as God’s heavenly family represents him in heaven, his earthly family represents him on earth.
4. The Image of God and the Fall
The fall into sin did not erase the image of God, but it did corrupt how humanity reflects him. After the flood, God reaffirms the image as the basis for human dignity and justice: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gen 9:6). James echoes this truth: “With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (James 3:9).
The image of God remains, but it is marred. Instead of stewarding creation for God’s glory, humanity pursues selfish ambition and idolatry. Yet God’s plan has always been to restore his image bearers. Redemption means renewal in the image of Christ, the true and perfect image of God (Col 1:15).
5. Christ as the True Image of God
The Gospel reveals that the image of God finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ. Paul calls him “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) and “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb 1:3). Where Adam failed as God’s imager, Christ succeeded. His life of obedience, death on the cross, and resurrection reveal the perfect image restored.
Through union with Christ, believers are renewed in the image of God. Paul declares: “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Col 3:10). This renewal is progressive, conforming believers to the likeness of Christ by the Spirit’s work (2 Cor 3:18). Thus, the Gospel not only forgives sins but restores humanity’s original vocation to image God in holiness and dominion.
6. The Image of God and the Eschatological Hope
The doctrine of the image of God is not only about creation and redemption but also about consummation. The destiny of believers is to be fully conformed to the image of Christ. As Paul writes: “Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29). At the resurrection, believers will bear the image of the heavenly man, Christ (1 Cor 15:49).
In the new heavens and new earth, the two families of God—human and heavenly—will be united. Glorified humanity will share in God’s rule, dwelling with him as his children, priests, and co-rulers (Rev 21:3–7). The original intent of Eden—“as in heaven, so on earth”—will be fulfilled in Christ.
7. Implications of the Image of God for Today
Understanding humanity as God’s image bearers shapes Christian life and mission in profound ways:
Sanctity of life: Every human, from conception to death, bears God’s image and has inherent dignity.
Justice and mercy: Because all people are God’s imagers, oppression, violence, and exploitation are direct assaults on God’s likeness.
Community: Male and female equally share in imaging God, affirming both dignity and partnership in the mission of creation stewardship.
Mission of the church: The restoration of God’s image in Christ compels believers to proclaim the Gospel, disciple the nations, and live as a kingdom of priests in the world.
To be human is to image God. To be redeemed is to image Christ. To be glorified is to image God perfectly forever.
Bible verses about the Image of God
Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 5:1 – “When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.”
Genesis 9:6 – “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”
Psalm 8:5 – “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”
Ecclesiastes 7:29 – “See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”
Colossians 1:15 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
Colossians 3:10 – “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
Romans 8:29 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
1 Corinthians 15:49 – “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”
