Re: Image of God (notes)

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: : <DISCLAIMER BEGIN> This post is put together from notes and my rememberance of Sunday's discussion and it is not to be taken as a substitute for individual thought and research. <DISCLAIMER END> As a matter of fact, it IS to be taken as an encouragement for individual thought and research... : : Three different patterns to look at the Image of God and how it is manifested in us... : : - Concept introduced by John Lee's discussion regarding the Biblical "seed of faith." : : > Substantive - The image of God is some inherent "awesomeness" : : - Introduced by Nancy Fairchild. : : - We are born with "awesomeness" in us, but it is waiting for God's action : : to make it manifest. (Armenian view simplified) : : - We are born with no inherent goodness (perhaps a structure that could : : somehow be traced back, like a woman born with a special gift of love is : : twisted into prostitution), and the awesomeness exists ONLY by the : : pure grace of God. (Calvinistic view simplified) : : ** "Substantive" defined: : : 1. Betokening or expressing existence (the verb "to be") : : 2. Depending on itself; independent. : : "He considered how sufficient and substative this land was to maintain : : itself without any aid of the foreigner." - Bacon : : 3. Enduring; Solid; firm; substantial. : : "Strenght and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in : : a pwerfule and substative manner." - Hazlitt : : 4. Pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or principles; as, : : the law, substantive. : : > Relational - The image exists completely within the experience of the relationship. : : - Presented as spiritual "antennae" or receptors by Mike Cleary. : : - "Spiritual Existentialism" - Meigs : : > Functional - The image of God exists in you only through the things that you do. : : - Introduced by Steve Meigs. : : - Actions such as feeding the poor. : : - What happens when we die? Does the image of God exist when we pat angels : : on the back? (Simplified) : : J : Man Jason, these notes are good. : Here is just my own rambling. As Paul says, this is me speaking, not the Lord. : I think that man is GOOD but fallen, so I believe that all his GOOD is tainted. I do not believe babies are born untainted. Still, I do not believe they are born as culpable as someone who committed actual sins. I believe that man is born under original sin. I do not believe that man can contribute anything toward his salvation apart from God, but I believe God has given man abilities to reason, esp. enlightened by his Spirit, which can point him to a knowledge of God and a desire to unite w God. I believe any pre-salvific work in a man's life is the workings of God's grace. I believe the whole process of redemption is God's grace working through love. I believe faith is a gift. I believe knowledge of God comes from God. I believe our wills come to us from God. I believe that it's all basically God, but I believe it's imperative that we cooperate. Still, it's a cooperation that ultimately loses us in God. It is not about us, it is about God. I believe that the image of God is par excellence, Christ, who is substance and demonstrates relational and functional elements, but is not merely relational or merely functional. I believe that the image of God in us is a mystery which echoes the name of our creator. I believe it is a mysterious stamp on us that rises up out of creation and says something unique about the creator. I do not think this makes us better than animals or plants or minerals or what not. I don't view it as competitive. I think the manness of man is a testimony to the plantness of plants, or the rockness of rocks, etc. I think the manness of man points to the godness of man and the godness of plants and rocks, etc. I think that the manness of man points to the godness of man and ultimately to God as the creator of all. man, being fallen, needs to be reunited w god, this is what christ, the godman does. he is the way back to our unbent manness. hey, this is real strange. dont anyone build a religion on it. still, i think the image of god is substance. i think christ in us is the hope of glory. : later, Bill

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