Forum: On the Image of God (Erik Thoennes)

Editor’s Note: The following forum contribution appears in the Fall 2025 issue of Eikon.

From conception, all human beings are equally created in God’s image. The image of God provides our core ontological reality that makes us more like God than anything else in all creation. As image bearers, we have a distinct and glorious calling to represent and reflect that image for God’s glory (Gen 1:26–27). We all reflect the image of God in varying degrees and ways, but no one is more or less created in God’s image. Every human being is unique and possesses wonderful particularity in personhood and is fearfully and wonderfully made by an awesome Creator (Ps 139:13–17).

There is an inherent limitation in being made in God’s image, in that we are not identical to him. But there is also an amazing amplification in that we are a reflection of who God is, having been created to live as his created analogy. The image of God enables us to ground our worth, dignity, and purpose in our essence rather than our function. This means it is humans as humans — not some element or ability in us — that constitutes the divine image. 

The image of God in humanity is distorted but not lost in the fall and is the basis for human dignity and biblical ethics (Gen 9:6; James 3:8; Matt 22:37-40, 1 John 4:20-21). We see the image of God displayed in humanity through things like our moral understanding and accountability, abstract reasoning, spiritual composition, immortality, and our ability to relate to God. These manifestations, however, do not define the image but display it in varying ways. We are defined by the image of God in our essence, not by any functional expression of that image. 

Jesus perfectly shows us what the image of God in humanity looks like. He is the image of the invisible God in true human form (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15, Heb 2:17). This perfect image is fundamentally seen in his perfect fellowship with the Father, perfect obedience to the Father’s will, and sacrificial love for others. In these activities he perfectly fulfills human purpose. Jesus perfectly fulfills the Creation Mandate to rule over and subdue creation and to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28). He perfectly fulfils the Great Commandment by always abiding in the Father’s love (John 15:9), and by loving humanity to the point of death (John 15:10, 13; Heb 5:8–9). Because Jesus is our perfect example of humanity, he is our example in all things, and we should pattern our lives after him (Mark 12:13–17; 1 Pet 2:21). This means we experience our humanity most truly when we’re in right relationship with God.

Every human being who has ever been created, regardless of any earthly limitations or fallenness, is deserving of profound dignity, value, respect, and protection (2 Cor 5:16). This truth is at the core of why Christians are commanded to love, even those who hate us and our enemies. Due to being made in God’s image, our lives have eternal meaning and significance, and we are motivated to live lives that can glorify God and have an impact into eternity through the way we live. 

The image of God gives us a basis for the way we view everyone — including ourselves. It also transforms the way we think about everything else. It is at the very core of our understanding of ethics, morality, education, government, parenting, anthropology, art, sports, economics, sexuality, mental health, work, recreation, sleep, marriage, and of course, worship. The Christian view of the world is grounded in who God is, and who we are as the pinnacle of his creation which displays his glory (Ps 19:1). 

You can read the other contributions to this forum “On the Image of God” by clicking on the links below:

Forum: On the Image of God (Peter Gentry)