In the last article we laid down a case from the ancient world for understanding what the image of God really is. Genesis 1 shows us YHWH building a glorious cosmic temple with humanity serving as the "image" displaying the glory of God and ruling over all creation. This is why David would say, "What is man that you are mindful of him? And the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your ha

Defining "image" The starting point for nailing down what it means to be made in the image of God is simply by defining terms. There are two major concepts embedded within the Hebrew word tselem (image): representation & rule. Representation The Hebrew word used in the Genesis account for "image" is tselem. That word is derived from the idea of cutting or carving something, especially in reference to idols as it is used throughout the Old Testament (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:27) The doctrine of the imago Dei has influenced people all over the world. Preachers, theologians, government leaders, civil rights activists, and the like, have all shouted it from the rooftops. Actions such as abortion, slavery, racism, and murder have all come face to face with the beautiful doctrine of the imago Dei. Yet, for all of the voices speaking on th