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Genesis 1:26-27. What “In the Image of God” Does NOT Mean. It does NOT mean that man is divine ! (cf. Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:2) It does NOT refer a physical likeness ! (John 4:24; Hos . 11:9; Luke 24:39)
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What “In the Image of God” Does NOT Mean • It does NOT mean that man is divine! (cf. Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:2) • It does NOT refer a physical likeness! (John 4:24; Hos. 11:9; Luke 24:39) • It does NOT refer to something different than the “likeness” of God (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1, 3; 9:6). • It does NOT refer to the sexual distinction between man and woman. • It does NOT refer to man’s domination of the lower creation around him.
What “In the Image of God” Entails • Man is capable of speaking (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 26, 28, 29) • Man is capable of writing (Ex. 21:18; Dan. 5:5, 24-28) • Man is capable of advancing intellectually (Prov. 1:5; 9:9) • Man is capable of reasoning (Is. 1:18; Ac. 17:2-3; Ro. 1:20) • Man is capable of making rational choices (Josh. 24:15)
What “In the Image of God” Entails • Man has an innate sense of morality (Rom. 2:14-15) • Awareness there is a difference between right and wrong • Recognition that men are amenable to this “moral oughtness” • Ability to choose between right and wrong • Man is creative (Gen. 1:1, 21, 27; 2:3) • Man can experience heart-felt emotions: love, mercy, compassion, anger, etc. (1 Jn. 4:8; Lk. 6:35-36; Eph. 4:26) • Man has an innate religious inclination (Rom. 1:20-23) • Man possesses an immortal soul (Matt. 10:28; Ecc. 12:7)