The simplest definition of imago Dei is “the image of God. We are created in the image of God. In Genesis God created man, then created woman out of the man. Both were created equally in his image. We can find this in the scripture readings of Genesis 1:27. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
What might its implications be for social ministry? The knowledge that man was created in the image of God should have us looking at all people in a different light. I tell my students “We are all God’s children. Social ministry is Christians going out into the community and helping their fellow man. There are many examples in the Bible that call us to help our fellow man. If we were not made in the image of God and were left on our own, would we help our fellow man?” “” However, realizing the common element between justice and care, places the needs of another individual first-before self-interest.” James 3:9 “with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”
What might its implications be for outreach/evangelism? l 2 Corinthians 4:6 teaches us that “God said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness.” We are his ambassadors; we represent the God whose image we were made in. It is our ministry to go out and teach our brothers and sisters the news that their father awaits them in heaven.
What might its implications be for missions (evangelizing other cultures)? Although we are all created in God’s image, we are scarred by original sin. The purpose of missions and evangelism is to bring people back to God in order for them to receive salvation. We must be willing to follow in the son’s footsteps and obey the Great Commission. Matthew 28 18-teaches us how to accomplish this. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What might its implications be for your Christian leadership? Leaders should understand what their followers need. A teacher needs to know how a child develops and learns. A pastor needs to understand his people’s spiritual path. We are made in the image of God. In order to fulfill what he asks of us, we need to understand what his word is teaching us.
Reference
Estep, James R., and Jonathan H. Kim, eds. Christian Formation: Integrating Theology & Human Development. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010.
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[ 1 ]. James R. Estep and Jonathan H. Kim, eds., Christian Formation: Integrating Theology & Human Development (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010), pageNr.
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