Although there is deep disagreement concerning what being made in the image of God means, most theologians share a common set of assumptions regarding the doctrine. Let me share a few – specifically six – of those assumptions with you.
- Most theologians agree that the terms in Genesis 1, selem and demut, connote reflection and representation in some sense.
- They agree that selem and demut, that is, “image” and “likeness” do not mean two different things. That “image” and “likeness” meant two different things was a common assumption of Patristic and medieval reflection on the doctrine. The view that these words meant two completely different things is rejected by John Calvin and by modern exegetes.
- Theologians agree that understanding the ancient near eastern context in which Genesis was written is significant for understanding the terms.
- Theologians recognize that imaging necessarily requires embodiment. There is no space in the…
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