Digging Deeper - Imago Dei
Rexanne has a sweatshirt she wears that says Imago Dei on the front of it. This term, Imago Dei, is Latin for “In God’s Image.” Bible believing Christians certainly believe this. We are told in Genesis 1, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.”
It is an amazing thought that we have the image of God within our makeup. It doesn’t make us equal to God, far from it. What does it mean? One thing we might note is values. Animals have no system of values they can think through and determine, other than what is instinctive. But humans see the value of honesty, integrity, safety, respect, and many other standards of behavior. We are like God in this, and we learn his values through what we discover in the scriptures.
It is also worth noting, we are creative like God. This has been the source of so many advances during the history of mankind, such as the Pyramids, Stonehenge, The Great Wall of China, etc. We find things like this from thousands of years ago that amaze modern man, as we wonder, “How did they do that without the technical advances we have at our disposal?” And sometimes there is no clear answer, but at the very least, people creating ancient marvels are displaying their “In God’s Image” ability.
This creativity as we make technical advances in many areas carries over into the many medical improvements over the years. I just had heart surgery on July 30 for a valve replacement and for triple bypass. In fact, I just got home from the hospital yesterday, feeling good enough today to work on this Cross Point (Aug 5). As a comparison, my grandfather on my mother’s side died at age 68, suddenly falling dead with no warning. We believe it was a heart valve issue for him, also. Back then there were no valve replacements. I’m not even sure they were aware and tracking anything related. But not many years later that would change, and I am currently very thankful.
These medical advancements are without doubt a reflection of The Image of God. Whatever humans are able to learn and do to advance health and preserve life, it is only because of the potential our Creator has put within the human mind. We aren’t miracle workers, but we can do some pretty amazing things because of the image we reflect.
I woke up Tuesday evening July 30 in ICU at Cox Hospital in Springfield. I had a plastic tube down my throat, four smaller tubes in my chest for distracting fluid, many lines attached to various places on my torso so they could monitor things, and another line inserted near my heart, to keep it in rhythm. Once I had the tube out of my throat, a sip of water and a spoonful of ice was like heaven to me. Two days later out of ICU. Three days after that back home. A long road ahead for recuperation, but such an amazing process. I can’t tell you for sure the faith of my heart surgeon, but his skills demonstrate the Image of God, as do the skills of the other nurses and personnel who attended me over those days.
Going back to the values aspect of God’s image, that was on full display also. Not only at the hospital, but so much from family and friends (my wonderful wife was there every step, my sister assisting as she could), including those of you at SHCC who have prayed for me and Rexanne, and who have helped in various ways. You don’t know how much we appreciate it, but from my repaired heart let me tell you we are thankful! You, my friends, are made Imago Dei. Never forget it. To God be the glory!
Cross Point: For those of us following Jesus: “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1) as you reflect the image of God.
It is an amazing thought that we have the image of God within our makeup. It doesn’t make us equal to God, far from it. What does it mean? One thing we might note is values. Animals have no system of values they can think through and determine, other than what is instinctive. But humans see the value of honesty, integrity, safety, respect, and many other standards of behavior. We are like God in this, and we learn his values through what we discover in the scriptures.
It is also worth noting, we are creative like God. This has been the source of so many advances during the history of mankind, such as the Pyramids, Stonehenge, The Great Wall of China, etc. We find things like this from thousands of years ago that amaze modern man, as we wonder, “How did they do that without the technical advances we have at our disposal?” And sometimes there is no clear answer, but at the very least, people creating ancient marvels are displaying their “In God’s Image” ability.
This creativity as we make technical advances in many areas carries over into the many medical improvements over the years. I just had heart surgery on July 30 for a valve replacement and for triple bypass. In fact, I just got home from the hospital yesterday, feeling good enough today to work on this Cross Point (Aug 5). As a comparison, my grandfather on my mother’s side died at age 68, suddenly falling dead with no warning. We believe it was a heart valve issue for him, also. Back then there were no valve replacements. I’m not even sure they were aware and tracking anything related. But not many years later that would change, and I am currently very thankful.
These medical advancements are without doubt a reflection of The Image of God. Whatever humans are able to learn and do to advance health and preserve life, it is only because of the potential our Creator has put within the human mind. We aren’t miracle workers, but we can do some pretty amazing things because of the image we reflect.
I woke up Tuesday evening July 30 in ICU at Cox Hospital in Springfield. I had a plastic tube down my throat, four smaller tubes in my chest for distracting fluid, many lines attached to various places on my torso so they could monitor things, and another line inserted near my heart, to keep it in rhythm. Once I had the tube out of my throat, a sip of water and a spoonful of ice was like heaven to me. Two days later out of ICU. Three days after that back home. A long road ahead for recuperation, but such an amazing process. I can’t tell you for sure the faith of my heart surgeon, but his skills demonstrate the Image of God, as do the skills of the other nurses and personnel who attended me over those days.
Going back to the values aspect of God’s image, that was on full display also. Not only at the hospital, but so much from family and friends (my wonderful wife was there every step, my sister assisting as she could), including those of you at SHCC who have prayed for me and Rexanne, and who have helped in various ways. You don’t know how much we appreciate it, but from my repaired heart let me tell you we are thankful! You, my friends, are made Imago Dei. Never forget it. To God be the glory!
Cross Point: For those of us following Jesus: “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1) as you reflect the image of God.
Posted in Cross Points