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Are we really created in God's image

dfnj

Well-Known Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

So if we are created from the image of God, does that mean God is man or woman? Or both at the same time. I think an omnipotent being can be more than one thing at the same time. So I will go with both.

But gender identity is not my biggest issue with the idea we are created from God's image. If we were really created from the image of God we would all have omnipotent powers. Without omnipotent powers, we are very much NOTHING like the image of God.

No having omnipotent powers brings some interesting questions to my mind. If we do not have omnipotent powers, are we really morally responsible for what happens in our lives. It seems to me without omnipotent powers we have no control over our moral choices. If we have no choice over our choices, then what if all our choices are all immoral ones. Many times people are force to make choices that are clearly immoral choices because they have no choice but to choose the least possible evil from limit possible set of immoral choices.

So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?
 

Axe Elf

Prophet
We are created in God's triune "image"; with a body (Son), soul (Father) and Spirit.

Animals have bodies and spirits, but no souls, and angels/demons have spirits and souls, but no bodies. We are the only created beings to share all three with God.

God has no sex, although His traditional gender is male.

Just because we share a triune nature with God, does not imply that we should have all of His "powers" or abilities, though. Heck, even two human TWINS don't always share the same abilities.

This is all beside the point of having no free will--which we don't--but we are still judged by that for which we were created.

"And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac, and the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them], it was said to her that the elder [son] should serve the younger [son]. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (held in relative disregard in comparison with My feeling for Jacob). What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God's part? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.] For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over. So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills. You will say to me, Why then does He still find fault and blame us [for sinning]? For who can resist and withstand His will? But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonorable use?"

--Romans 9:10-21 (Amplified Bible)
 

Frater Sisyphus

Contradiction, irrationality and disorder
While I personally don't believe in a monotheistic, Abrahamic concept of God, I have always found the Jewish/Christian conception of what we are in contrast to God "Made in his own image" to be rather suspicious but that's probably just me.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
It means that we share spiritual qualities with God such as reason, will and so on. It's saying that humans have the most qualities shared with God and are the jewel of God's creation. It's basically establishing anthropocentrism (which I despise).
 

Spirosmav

Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

So if we are created from the image of God, does that mean God is man or woman? Or both at the same time. I think an omnipotent being can be more than one thing at the same time. So I will go with both.

But gender identity is not my biggest issue with the idea we are created from God's image. If we were really created from the image of God we would all have omnipotent powers. Without omnipotent powers, we are very much NOTHING like the image of God.

No having omnipotent powers brings some interesting questions to my mind. If we do not have omnipotent powers, are we really morally responsible for what happens in our lives. It seems to me without omnipotent powers we have no control over our moral choices. If we have no choice over our choices, then what if all our choices are all immoral ones. Many times people are force to make choices that are clearly immoral choices because they have no choice but to choose the least possible evil from limit possible set of immoral choices.

So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?


I am not trying to convert you or be self righteous but this is discussed in the entire John 9

Here is an example:

John 9:1-3 (DRA)
1 AND Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth:
2 And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
 

JoshuaTree

Flowers are red?
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

So if we are created from the image of God, does that mean God is man or woman? Or both at the same time. I think an omnipotent being can be more than one thing at the same time. So I will go with both.

But gender identity is not my biggest issue with the idea we are created from God's image. If we were really created from the image of God we would all have omnipotent powers. Without omnipotent powers, we are very much NOTHING like the image of God.

No having omnipotent powers brings some interesting questions to my mind. If we do not have omnipotent powers, are we really morally responsible for what happens in our lives. It seems to me without omnipotent powers we have no control over our moral choices. If we have no choice over our choices, then what if all our choices are all immoral ones. Many times people are force to make choices that are clearly immoral choices because they have no choice but to choose the least possible evil from limit possible set of immoral choices.

So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?

Our shadow is a two dimensional image of our three dimensional selves.
 

JoshuaTree

Flowers are red?
I am not trying to convert you or be self righteous but this is discussed in the entire John 9

Here is an example:

John 9:1-3 (DRA)
1 AND Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth:
2 And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Romans 9:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

So if we are created from the image of God, does that mean God is man or woman? Or both at the same time. I think an omnipotent being can be more than one thing at the same time. So I will go with both.

But gender identity is not my biggest issue with the idea we are created from God's image. If we were really created from the image of God we would all have omnipotent powers. Without omnipotent powers, we are very much NOTHING like the image of God.

No having omnipotent powers brings some interesting questions to my mind. If we do not have omnipotent powers, are we really morally responsible for what happens in our lives. It seems to me without omnipotent powers we have no control over our moral choices. If we have no choice over our choices, then what if all our choices are all immoral ones. Many times people are force to make choices that are clearly immoral choices because they have no choice but to choose the least possible evil from limit possible set of immoral choices.

So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?
I believe that God has the form of a man. The word "image" is a visual representation of something's physical qualities. If you look at yourself in the mirror, you see your image. A photograph is a digital image of its subject. We often say that a little boy who looks like his father is his "spittin' image." Even when we say that someone is the image of health, we mean that he appears to be healthy.

We are also in God's likeness in that we have a spark of the divine within us and have the potential to become like He is.

Yes, I'm a heretic. I believe that's been pointed out to me on several occasions.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
In Genesis 1:16 he also said:

And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have . . . .

So it wasn't only in his image, nor was he the only one doing this making. And "after our likeness" reinforces the notion of physical appearance.

.
 

Shia Islam

Quran and Ahlul-Bayt a.s.
Premium Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

I would like only to say something about this matter that might be of interest..

Sunni Muslims have a Hadith saying something similar to the above biblical source..

Generally they may try to interpret it figuratively..

However the Wahhabis believe that God has a body, hands, face etc.

The Sunnis in general believe that in the afterlife they will see God..

Shia Muslims, however, believe that God is not a material thing, and we can't see god with our eyes and we can't understand his essence ..

We see him with our hearts and we understand his attributes..

May God bestow his mercy and blessings upon us!
 

Axe Elf

Prophet
In Genesis 1:16 he also said:

And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have . . . .

So it wasn't only in his image, nor was he the only one doing this making. And "after our likeness" reinforces the notion of physical appearance.

.

Only if all of those doing the making had the same physical appearance, which probably made the Holy Spirit feel left out and pouty.

Using "our" instead of "my" reinforces the notion that man is created in God's triune image, not in physical appearance.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
Only if all of those doing the making had the same physical appearance, which probably made the Holy Spirit feel left out and pouty.
Yeah.

GOD: "You know, when I finally decide to put them on earth remind me to tell them how jealous I can get. Kind of a warning. Ya know? Maybe even have them write it down so they don't forget."​

Using "our" instead of "my" reinforces the notion that man is created in God's triune image, not in physical appearance.
So, exactly in what way are we like god the father, like god the son, and like god the holy ghost? Or, are you suggesting that we, like god, are three consubstantial persons, a single entity that can express itself in three very different ways?

.


 

Axe Elf

Prophet
GOD: "You know, when I finally decide to put them on earth remind me to tell them how jealous I can get. Kind of a warning. Ya know? Maybe even have them write it down so they don't forget."

I'm not sure what point you might be trying to make here in regards to the image of God.

So, exactly in what way are we like god the father, like god the son, and like god the holy ghost? Or, are you suggesting that we, like god, are three consubstantial persons, a single entity that can express itself in three very different ways?

Yeah, the latter. We were created in God's triune image. God has a body, called "Jesus"; we also have a body. God has a mind/soul/personality that is called "the Father" (or usually just "God"); we also have a mind/soul/personality that we call by our given names, even when referring to the whole of us ("Dave," for instance, refers not just to Dave's personality, although that's what makes Dave "Dave"--but also to Dave's body and spirit, just as "God" tends to stand for the totality of the Trinity). And finally, God has a Spirit; we also have a spirit.
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
This says we're created in the image of Arch Angels/Avatars/Elders (Elohim).... The God Most High (El Elyon) that manifests reality at a quantum level, has no image, and is beyond form.
So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?
Elohim are capable of being evil, and some have fallen down here...Thus we've all got the duty to be the best we can be, to one day ascend from down here near Hell.

In my opinion. :innocent:
 

Axe Elf

Prophet
Elohim are capable of being evil, and some have fallen down here...Thus we've all got the duty to be the best we can be, to one day ascend from down here near Hell.

LOL

Ignoring for the moment the misguided notion of "fallen" Elohim, what if heaven is actually above China, and not above the United States? That means heaven would be DOWN from here... and I guess hell would be down too, just not as far down.
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
Ignoring for the moment the misguided notion of "fallen" Elohim
Even without including Enoch, this is what the Bible is about; we're all fallen Elohim, who've forgotten our divinity.

Psalms 82:6-7 I said, “You are Elohim, all of you are sons of the Most High. (7) Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”
what if heaven is actually above China, and not above the United States?
The word for Heaven is often the same as sky, so it is above the whole world.... Plus having had a NDE it is in the center of the universe, above the physical dimensions.
That means heaven would be DOWN from here... and I guess hell would be down too, just not as far down.
Lack of comprehension of religions is causing this...

In the Bible the Greek word Tartarus is used, which is below Hades; a place to imprison fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4).

Heaven is clearly above the stars Biblically (Isaiah 14:13).

In my opinion. :innocent:
 

Axe Elf

Prophet
Even without including Enoch, this is what the Bible is about; we're all fallen Elohim, who've forgotten our divinity.

Psalms 82:6-7 I said, “You are Elohim, all of you are sons of the Most High. (7) Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”

Yeah, let's NOT include Enoch, since if God predestined everything, He saw fit to leave that one out of the Bible.

Now, really? PSALMS??? Even the most devout Bible literalist concedes that the Book of Psalms is poetic and allegorical; not to be taken LITERALLY!

I'm sorry; It's been a long night. I'll try not to pop a vein.

Anyway, the Psalmist is basically mocking those who are exalted as great on earth--"ooo, you're all like gods--sons of God, anyway--but you're going to die like everyone else." (In those days, rulers were often called "sons of God" to affirm the manifest destiny of their authority.)

Look at how the mocking tone is set in the verses before that:

"The Elohim know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken."

And then he says, "But YOU are Elohim, considered sons of God--but you're nothing special, just mortal men like all the rest."

So there's no real justification for pointing to a single verse--in Psalms, no less--and calling it a literal proof that we are gods.

Wanting to be our own gods, to be like God ourselves, is Original Sin. It's also what got Lucifer in trouble. You might want to think twice before trying to claim godhood.

The word for Heaven is often the same as sky, so it is above the whole world....

Wait a minute--you don't believe the Earth is flat, do you? That's the only way that "up" could be the same direction for everyone on Earth at once.

Plus having had a NDE it is in the center of the universe, above the physical dimensions.

Dangit, now I have to clean coffee off my computer screen.

And it just goes downhill from there...
 

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

So if we are created from the image of God, does that mean God is man or woman? Or both at the same time. I think an omnipotent being can be more than one thing at the same time. So I will go with both.

But gender identity is not my biggest issue with the idea we are created from God's image. If we were really created from the image of God we would all have omnipotent powers. Without omnipotent powers, we are very much NOTHING like the image of God.

No having omnipotent powers brings some interesting questions to my mind. If we do not have omnipotent powers, are we really morally responsible for what happens in our lives. It seems to me without omnipotent powers we have no control over our moral choices. If we have no choice over our choices, then what if all our choices are all immoral ones. Many times people are force to make choices that are clearly immoral choices because they have no choice but to choose the least possible evil from limit possible set of immoral choices.

So the question is without omnipotent power are any of us morally responsible for our lives if our choices prevent us from acting morally?
Please see:

 
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