by Ron Arendas

Created on: September 10, 2008

One of the most comforting passages of scripture tells us that we are created in the image of God. This is comforting because we all have the desire to fit in, to be part of a culture, a heritage, a family. When we look in the mirror, it is comforting to see our familiar face, but also to see that it is a face that closely resembles that of our parents, our siblings, our neighbors, our people, and the family of man.

Even when you consider the races and ethnicities of the world, we are all so similar in image if you look past pigments, eye and hair color, and dress. We are all children of God and created in the image of God.

What does the word "image" mean? Webster defines image as "a representation or imitation of the form of a person or thing." Other definitions include "an optical counterpart," "a visual representation,""a likeness of an object produced on photographic material," "an exact likeness of," "semblance," "a tangible or visual representation," "a mental picture or impression." All of these have to do without outward appearance, with the same visual similarities that make us feel like we are children of our parents, brothers and sisters, and part of this world. In fact, I could not find a definition of image that did not refer to the physical aspect.

If we look at the nature of God, it is comforting to know that our image and His image are similar. He is our Father, the Father of all things. Christ said when you see me, you have seen the Father. This makes sense in the context that Christ looked like a man and even after being resurrected, maintained this same appearance or image. Why not take what Christ said about His Father and our Father literally?

Here is something to ponder: Whether you believe in the concept of the Trinity or the more scripturally sound concept of the 3 distinct beings, you have one member of the Godhead who is a spiritual being only and is identified as such. Then, you have Christ, who was resurrected with a celestial body that is tangible (and who said when you see me, you have seen the Father). So, what is the physical nature of God, the Father?

So, this returns us to the question of our image. We are promised a resurrection, which, if it is like Christ's, will include the rejoining of our spiritual being with a perfected body. We will therefore be similar to the resurrected Christ (in terms of image) as Christ is like His Father. Also, God the Father is not the Holy Spirit; they are either two manfestations in the Trinity or two members of the Godhead. Either way, they must be distinguished from one other by some physical characteristics or else they would be the same and here would be no reason to refer to them as different manifestations/members.

I conclude that there is ample evidence in the Bible to support the physical likeness between God and man. By far, the most compelling evidence has been given in the paragraphs I have written above. God Himself said it; we look like him because He made us that way. Why not take him at His word?

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