We are made in the image of God

[Checkpoint]

That is, what would you say that means generally, and what kind of things does it include?

Likewise, what does it not mean, or not include?

Why, do you think, did God choose to do so, and what did He have in mind for us?

Genesis 1:27:

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

[Talishi]

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

It means the creator of reality, who existed from before the beginning of time, had body hair, ten vestigial fingers on his feet, an appendix, nipples for feeding infants, genitals, a tailbone, a body optimized for long-distance running, a mat of curly black hair on his head to keep the sun of the African savannah from giving him heat-stroke, a navel, and a digestive tract with two openings to process food.

[onewithhim]

That is, what would you say that means generally, and what kind of things does it include?

Likewise, what does it not mean, or not include?

Why, do you think, did God choose to do so, and what did He have in mind for us?

Genesis 1:27:

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

God made man "in his image" by creating humans with the capacity for wisdom, justice, power and love.

It does not mean that humans are or ever were, or ever will be, equal to God. He chose to make humans with those attributes because He wanted intelligent persons who would choose to love Him, to have a relationship with. Humans were created with free will so that they could choose to love Him or not. The ones who have chosen to love Him are indeed in a special kind of relationship.

[Checkpoint]

That is, what would you say that means generally, and what kind of things does it include?

Likewise, what does it not mean, or not include?

Why, do you think, did God choose to do so, and what did He have in mind for us?

Genesis 1:27:

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

God made man "in his image" by creating humans with the capacity for wisdom, justice, power and love.

It does not mean that humans are or ever were, or ever will be, equal to God. He chose to make humans with those attributes because He wanted intelligent persons who would choose to love Him, to have a relationship with. Humans were created with free will so that they could choose to love Him or not. The ones who have chosen to love Him are indeed in a special kind of relationship.

Yes, the most special relationship of all, family, as His sons and daughters.

John 1:

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

1John 3:1

See what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation is that we (humans) to a degree display the qualities and can appreciate concepts in a similar way to God.

JW

[Talishi]

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation is that we (humans) to a degree display the qualities and can appreciate concepts in a similar way to God.

On the contrary, it is written (Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

[JehovahsWitness]

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation is that we (humans) to a degree display the qualities and can appreciate concepts in a similar way to God.

On the contrary, it is written (Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

I don't see that I said the word "thoughts" in my answer, can you see the word "thoughts" anywhere?

[Talishi]

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation is that we (humans) to a degree display the qualities and can appreciate concepts in a similar way to God.

On the contrary, it is written (Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

I don't see that I said the word "thoughts" in my answer, can you see the word "thoughts" anywhere?

The act of "appreciating concepts" is entirely an interior, mental process, involving, dare I say it, thoughts, just as "displaying the qualities" is to demonstrate ways. But God insists his thoughts and ways are wholly other.

[onewithhim]

It is exhausting trying to reason with brick-heads that refuse to actually DISCUSS a point with someone. You list tons of proof that your points are valid, and yet it isn't even read---I can almost guarantee it. I don't think several people here are interested in looking at another person's point of view. They just want to try to make people think that they know what they are talking about, when they don't. And maybe (it just occurred to me) their own beliefs are so precarious that they don't want to hear or read anything that might rock their boat!

How sad that someone can't get the point that it is a fact that the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) appears in the Bible 7,000 times, and even if the world doesn't know the exact pronunciation, people pronounce it to the best of their knowledge....and it differs depending on what language is being spoken.

"Jehovah" or "Jehova" => Dutch. English, French, Tahitian, Danish, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Spanish, Tagalog

"Jehowa" => Polish

"Jeova" => Portuguese

"Jihova" => Bugotu, Mwala-Malu, Nembe

"Jiova" => Fijian

"Iehova" => Motu, Romanian

"Ieova" => Samoan

"Ihova" => Futuna

"Ihowa" => Maori

"Geova" => Italian

"Ehoba" => Japanese

"Yehova" => Venda, Swahili

"Yehwowah" => Cantonese


The important thing is that it is used (Exodus 3:15, Living Bible, Young's Literal Translation).



[/u]

[ttruscott]

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation is that we (humans) to a degree display the qualities and can appreciate concepts in a similar way to God.

On the contrary, it is written (Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Most Christians say this refers to us in our sinful state, not in our image of HIM.