The "image of Elohim" in Genesis 1

[Mannabar]

What exactly is the image of Elohim, and is it a quality of all humans or only the man in the Garden of Eden? If I'm reading this right, in verse 25 the noun 'Adam' (Man) is used without an article, but in 27 it's with an article.

 

[disciple Clint]

What exactly is the image of Elohim, and is it a quality of all humans or only the man in the Garden of Eden? If I'm reading this right, in verse 25 the noun 'Adam' (Man) is used without an article, but in 27 it's with an article.

To me the image of God that man has is related to values and heart, we know what is good and what is right and wrong, and we understand what it is like to love.

 

[Mannabar]

Are you implying that Adam and Eve knew right and wrong before they knew good and evil? Are you not referring to what's morally right and wrong?

Do you think all humans understand love, including psychopaths (people without conscience)?

 

[disciple Clint]

Are you implying that Adam and Eve knew right and wrong before they knew good and evil? Are you not referring to what's morally right and wrong?

Do you think all humans understand love, including psychopaths (people without conscience)?

Implying? no I am stating that Adam and Eve were good when they were created, God said so, they learned evil when they accepted the lies of the devil disobeyed God and ate from the tree. Yes all humans understand love even if they only love themselves.

 

[Tolworth John]

We are made in the image of God, in that like God we are thinking rational, feeling emotional, spiritual, creative beings.
God is a spirit so we as physical beings cannot look like him.

 

[Mannabar]

That's what I've been thinking.

Who voted for the human form? :?

 

[timf]

We are like God in that we have free will - independent agency

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

A literal reading of Genesis breaks down here. Does it not? Does God have a literal "image"?

"In Christian theology there are three common ways of understanding the manner in which humans exist in imago dei: Substantive, Relational and Functional.

"The substantive view locates the image of God within the psychological or spiritual makeup of the human being. This view holds that there are similarities between humanity and God, thus emphasizing characteristics that are of shared substance between both parties. Some proponents of the substantive view uphold that the rational soul mirrors the divine.

"The relational view argues that one must be in a relationship with God in order to possess the 'image' of God. Those who hold to the relational image agree that humankind possess the ability to reason as a substantive trait, but they argue that it is in a relationship with God that the true image is made evident.

"The functional view interprets the image of God as a role in the created order, where humankind is a king or ruler over creation/the earth."

Image of God - Wikipedia.

 

[ViaCrucis]

What exactly is the image of Elohim, and is it a quality of all humans or only the man in the Garden of Eden? If I'm reading this right, in verse 25 the noun 'Adam' (Man) is used without an article, but in 27 it's with an article.

A very brief answer:
All human beings bear the Divine Image and likeness, but that image is marred and distorted on account of sin. It means we were created to reflect God--to be good, to love, to care for creation, etc. In Jesus Christ the image of God is restored, and as we are reconciled to God in Jesus we are being shaped and molded into the image of Christ. That we might once again reflect God, and will when God makes all things new, while in perfect fellowship with Him, share in the fullness of Him and live in the fullness of that good purpose as human beings.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[YahuahSaves]

I thought of this scripture when reading your OP:

Ezekiel 1:25-28​

25 As they stood with wings lowered, a voice spoke from beyond the crystal surface above them.
26 Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. 27 From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me.

Obviously there are different visions in scripture, but I believe we were made in his image in spirit.
it could also be in form but I tend to think God revealed himself to humans in a way they could understand.

There is also this passage that I believe means yes, we were all made in Gods image.

◄ John 1 ►

Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word

1In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2He existed in the beginning with God.

3God created everything through him,

and nothing was created except through him.

4The Word gave life to everything that was created,a

and his life brought light to everyone.

5The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

 

[DragonFox91]

In addition to what's been said, I think it's like a parent-to-child relationship. A parent passes on their 'image' to their child in a way no one else can either pass or receive.

This is from I John:
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

There are other verses as well. It all ties together & links to that Genesis line.

 

[DragonFox91]

A literal reading of Genesis breaks down here. Does it not? Does God have a literal "image"?

"In Christian theology there are three common ways of understanding the manner in which humans exist in imago dei: Substantive, Relational and Functional.

"The substantive view locates the image of God within the psychological or spiritual makeup of the human being. This view holds that there are similarities between humanity and God, thus emphasizing characteristics that are of shared substance between both parties. Some proponents of the substantive view uphold that the rational soul mirrors the divine.

"The relational view argues that one must be in a relationship with God in order to possess the 'image' of God. Those who hold to the relational image agree that humankind possess the ability to reason as a substantive trait, but they argue that it is in a relationship with God that the true image is made evident.

"The functional view interprets the image of God as a role in the created order, where humankind is a king or ruler over creation/the earth."

Image of God - Wikipedia.

Why not all 3?

 

[IoanC]

We are capable of the same intellectual and spiritual level as God -- in our human way.

 

[Soyeong]

What exactly is the image of Elohim, and is it a quality of all humans or only the man in the Garden of Eden? If I'm reading this right, in verse 25 the noun 'Adam' (Man) is used without an article, but in 27 it's with an article.

In Colossians 1:15, it says that the Son is the image of the invisible God, and in Hebrews 1:3, the Son is the exact image of God's nature. A chip of the old block is someone who is in the image of their father because they have the same nature or character expressed through taking the same actions, so that is the sense that Jesus is the Son of God and the sense that we are sons of God when we are partaking in God's nature and reflecting His image. This is also why Jesus said in John 8:39 that if they were sons of Abraham, then they would be doing the same things that Abraham did. The fruits of the Spirit are aspects of God's nature, so that is also why those who are born of the Spirit are sons of God in contrast with those who have minds set on the flesh who refuse to submit to God's law (Romans 8:4-14) and why those who do not practice righteousness in obedience to God's law are not sons of God (1 John 3:4-10).

 

[disciple Clint]

We are capable of the same intellectual and spiritual level as God -- in our human way.

Based on what evidence, scripture indicates otherwise

 

[IoanC]

Based on what evidence, scripture indicates otherwise

It was just a summary of all that I know on the subject. Sorry, I cannot offer evidence. I am not proposing man is equal in Nature to God, nor that man has essential attributes. Only saying that man is not inferior to God, as if flawed by design, or sinful in nature; man is perfect, complete, holy and capable. I am coming from a philosophical angle though, so my ideas are not much.

 

[disciple Clint]

It was just a summary of all that I know on the subject. Sorry, I cannot offer evidence. I am not proposing man is equal in Nature to God, nor that man has essential attributes. Only saying that man is not inferior to God, as if flawed by design, or sinful in nature; man is perfect, complete, holy and capable. I am coming from a philosophical angle though, so my ideas are not much.

Sorry but the bible points to an entirely different conclusion none of us is perfect, complete or holy which is why we all need Jesus.

 

[IoanC]

Sorry but the bible points to an entirely different conclusion none of us is perfect, complete or holy which is why we all need Jesus.

Well, in a way ... Because none of us know if we will be saved. No human action or belief can guarantee our salvation. God can simply not like us as persons; so we would not even receive an explanation for God to deny us.

 

[disciple Clint]

Well, in a way ... Because none of us know if we will be saved. No human action or belief can guarantee our salvation. God can simply not like us as persons; so we would not even receive an explanation for God to deny us.

No that is not accurate, God has given us His word, if we accept Jesus we will be given eternal life, Please read the bible

 

[IoanC]

No that is not accurate, God has given us His word, if we accept Jesus we will be given eternal life, Please read the bible

God will give us Hope which is through Grace. Hope is higher than knowing if we get saved. God cannot tell us if we get saved, but can take us higher than that. My initial point was that God considers that our image of Him is intact through the fall. In His eyes we are complete and holy, even as He is. Sin does not modify our nature; it's only an external reality. We do not mix with sin. However, God can help us with our sin and uncertainty through hope, love, faith, trust, etc.. It is a different approach. When you love and have hope, all that is negative disappears. In such a state of Grace, we don't need human solutions such as control, comfort and knowing. First step is accepting our design is perfect. If we think that sin is our very nature, we will always feel uncertain and hesitant.