Q. What does it mean to be created in the image of God?

First of all, it must be determined what "image" means here. It cannot mean a physical likeness, because God is a spirit, and as such, has no physical body of which a likeness can be made. Therefore, being made in the image of God does not mean looking like God.

So, what does "image" mean? An image would be that which represents, without being the thing itself. This ties in with the previous question and answer. We can do many things that reflect the things He does.

This, however, is not enough. Not everything on the previous list of man-like actions is unique to man. What is it that man has over and above any animal?

Some say reason, and this would indeed be true, but some animals are highly intelligent, and seem to use at least rudimentary thinking skills.

What sets man apart? Man can choose. And man can choose to sacrifice. Man can choose to be irrational. Man can choose to love, or to hate.

A. It means that we are free to make choices: to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.


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