MAN AS THE IMAGE-BEARER OF GOD
• The catechism writers particularly relied upon the NT books of Eph. & Col to define what it means to be made in God's image (Eph. 4:24, Col. 3:9b, 10). These passages tell us that the image of God in man is at least to be understood in terms of knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. If this is what we are being restored to, it gives us a picture of what man was like in his original state.
• It then follows, that if man was the pinnacle of God's created order, then he would have dominion over the creatures.
• If creation is a mirror of divinity as Calvin said, then man is the chief mirror of God's creation. We are to be reflectors of God's glory; this is our purpose or chief end in this life.
• Because of sin, the image of God is lost, or at least marred. We are now born into this world not wanting to glorify God. Romans 1:21, 22, 28, 29 & Romans 3:10, 11 – man is now foolish, unrighteous, and estranged from his creator.
CHRIST AS THE RESTORER OF GOD'S IMAGE
• Christ was fully God, but He was also fully man. This was crucial to His mission of redemption. Christ's favorite title for Himself was the “son of man” (found 82x in the 4 gospels).
• Christ was born of a woman in order to restore man to his original state (Galatians 4:4).
• The writer of Hebrews expounds on Psalm 8, interpreting it in a Christ-centered way (Heb. 2:5-18).
• This same truth is succinctly summarized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 -- For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. |
