· Anthropology ·

Lecture Forty Three:  The Imago Dei

TH330 Systematic Theology I · Moody Bible Institute · Dr. Richard M. Weber

I. Introduction to Anthropology

ajnqropoV (anthropos; man, human)

A. A Note on Terminology

Gen 5:1-2.  “When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.  Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.”

“Therefore the practice of using the same term to refer (1) to male human beings and (2) to the human race generally is a practice that originated with God himself, and we should not find it objectionable or insensitive.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 439-440).

B. Why Were Human Beings Created?

1. The Aseity of God

God is independent…He doesn’t need us in any sense of the word.

2. All Things For God’s Glory

Isa 43:6b-7.  “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Eph 1:11-12.  “[We have been] predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we … might be for the praise of his glory.”

“Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.”  (Westminster Larger Catechism, q.1)

1 Cor 10:31.  “…[W]hatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

John 10:10.  “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Ps 16:11.  “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Ps 73:25-26.  “Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

“Fullness of joy is found in knowing God and delighting in the excellence of his character.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 441)

“[T]he normal heart attitude of a Christian is rejoicing in the Lord and in the lessons of the life he gives us.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 441)

Rom 5:2-3.  “…[W]e rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings…”

1 Thess 5:16-18.  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Pet 1:6, 8.  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith … may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

GOD IS REJOICING OVER US:

Isa 62:5.  “…[A]s a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

Zeph 3:17.  “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Rev 4:11.  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Rom 11:36.  “For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen.”

Acts 12:23? IS IT WRONG FOR GOD TO GLORIFY HIMSELF? “Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

II. Man Created in the Image of God

A. The Meaning of “Image of God”

IMAGO DEI

Gen 1:26

Gen 5:3.  “Adam … had a son in his own likeness, in his own image.; and he named him Seth.”

“The fact that man is in the image of God means that man is like God and represents God.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 442)

B. Specific Aspects of Man’s Likeness to God

Gen 1:31.  “God saw all that he had made, [including man at this point], and it was very good.”

1. Moral Aspects

2. Spiritual Aspects

3. Mental Aspects

Eph 3:11.  “…[God] has set eternity in the hearts of men…”

4. Relational Aspects

5. Physical Aspects

“It is important that we recognize that it is man himself who is created in the image of God, not just his spirit or his mind.  Certainly our physical bodies are a very important part of our existence and, as transformed when Christ returns, they will continue to be part of our existence for all eternity.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 448)

C. Human Dignity and the Imago Dei

Everyone that’s human is created in His image. We reflect it, and should realize that uniqueness of that, that we are different then the rest of creation…

“[W]e are more like our Creator than [anything else].  We are the culmination of God’s infinitely wise and skillful work in creation.  Even though sin has greatly marred that likeness, we nonetheless now reflect much of it and shall even more as we grow in likeness to Christ.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 449)