Are we really made in God's image?

[Jack_Fennec]

There are many questions that have been rattling around in my mind recently, the least serious of which is this:
Are we really made in God's image?

God was once the only thing in existence. This means that he existed before gravity, before solid matter, before time, etc. This means that it is completely illogical to think God looks anything like a human.

1. God would not need legs because he has nowhere to go. He is everywhere at once.
2. We have flat feet because gravity holds us to the solid Earth and we need them to balance. God doesn't need feet.
3. God would not need arms or hands because there was nothing in existence to hold.
4. God would not have eyes because he would not need organs that are designed to take in light before he created light.
5. He wouldn't have any use for a nose, ears, or a mouth either because there was nothing to see, taste or hear.
5a. He wouldn't need a mouth to speak the universe into existence either, because there was no medium to carry the sound. Whatever the Bible means by "God said" must be something different than our idea of what it means to "say" something.
6. God does not need a body, especially not a solid one like we have. We use our bodies to interact with, and affect, the physical world. God interacts with the physical world in a non-physical way, so there is no reason for him to have a body of any shape or size.

We are shaped and structured the way we are because we have to interact with and thrive in our environment. God does not need any human-like features for any reason. So who exactly do we look like?

 

[Flamingspirit]

You are in the image of God in that you have the ability to think and to act upon that thought in action of your will. That you have the ability to create.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

God is spirit and so are we, our bodies are only temporary. I used to think like you but now I understand what the phrase "made in God's image" means.

 

[JesusLives]

Do you take the Bible as a literal book or a book of fiction?

 

[tourist]

Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, "Let Us make man in our image, according to Our likeness..." If God did not need human-like features we would not be created in His image and likeness. I am sure God had a purpose in mind for creating us to be like Him. God is both a physical and spiritual being. Humans may need a medium to carry sound but God is the creator of this medium which is known as oxygen and does not require this for transmission of thought which is known as human speech. I highly doubt that this is the least serious question that is rattling around in your mind as it is a very basic one.

 

[breno785au]

If we are made in Gods image then we are a replica of Gods form, simple...

His likeness is His character, this is what we have fallen from and this is what Jesus by His Holy Spirit brings us back too.

 

[Jason0047]

There are many questions that have been rattling around in my mind recently, the least serious of which is this:
Are we really made in God's image?

God was once the only thing in existence. This means that he existed before gravity, before solid matter, before time, etc. This means that it is completely illogical to think God looks anything like a human.

1. God would not need legs because he has nowhere to go. He is everywhere at once.
2. We have flat feet because gravity holds us to the solid Earth and we need them to balance. God doesn't need feet.
3. God would not need arms or hands because there was nothing in existence to hold.
4. God would not have eyes because he would not need organs that are designed to take in light before he created light.
5. He wouldn't have any use for a nose, ears, or a mouth either because there was nothing to see, taste or hear.
5a. He wouldn't need a mouth to speak the universe into existence either, because there was no medium to carry the sound. Whatever the Bible means by "God said" must be something different than our idea of what it means to "say" something.
6. God does not need a body, especially not a solid one like we have. We use our bodies to interact with, and affect, the physical world. God interacts with the physical world in a non-physical way, so there is no reason for him to have a body of any shape or size.

We are shaped and structured the way we are because we have to interact with and thrive in our environment. God does not need any human-like features for any reason. So who exactly do we look like?

This is just as silly as the argument that asks the question, can God make a rock too heavy for Him to lift? The short answer is no. There is nothing beyond God's power and ability. The Scriptures say, God's thoughts are not our thoughts. So for you to think you know better than God's Word is just silly, my friend.

Now, why is man made in God's image?

Because it gives glory to God.

Yeah, but what use would God (As a Spirit being) have for eyes, nose, mouth, arms, legs, etc. before the Creation?

Well, you have to understand that the Lord our God is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) (James 2:19) who exists as three persons (i.e. the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost) (See 1 John 5:7). In the New Testament all three persons of the Godhead (or the Trinity) were present at Christ's baptism. The Father essentially said to Jesus (Who is the "Word" made flesh - John 1:14) that this was His begotten Son in whom He was well pleased, and then the Spirit descended upon Jesus. Jesus (Who is the Eternal second person of the Godhead) said that He shared a glory before the foundation of the world with God the Father (See John 17). Jesus said He and the Father are one. In other words, God is triune (i.e. Three in one). This means God more than likely had the capacity to see, talk, and share his heart of love amongst Himself since Eternity's past. In fact, in Daniel's vision in Daniel chapter 7, we see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming from the clouds of Heaven to see the Ancient of Days (Which is God the Father).

 

[peacefulbeliever]

That new man that was created in you when you were born again is in the image of God - Spirit.

That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6b

And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him [God] that created him [new man].
Col 3:10

 

[peacebestill]

In a spiritual since we are made in his image, our spirit is made in his image

 

[Jason0047]

God is Spirit, but He is not some formless or undescribable Spirit being, I believe man was made in God's image. For God wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone "twice" with his very finger (i.e. a finger that is spirit in essence and or being) that interacted with our physical world or universe; Also, God showed Moses his back parts. In fact, there are many references to God in having a human form (All be it, a Spiritual one).

 

[Bride]

There are many questions that have been rattling around in my mind recently, the least serious of which is this:
Are we really made in God's image?

God was once the only thing in existence. This means that he existed before gravity, before solid matter, before time, etc. This means that it is completely illogical to think God looks anything like a human.

1. God would not need legs because he has nowhere to go. He is everywhere at once.
2. We have flat feet because gravity holds us to the solid Earth and we need them to balance. God doesn't need feet.
3. God would not need arms or hands because there was nothing in existence to hold.
4. God would not have eyes because he would not need organs that are designed to take in light before he created light.
5. He wouldn't have any use for a nose, ears, or a mouth either because there was nothing to see, taste or hear.
5a. He wouldn't need a mouth to speak the universe into existence either, because there was no medium to carry the sound. Whatever the Bible means by "God said" must be something different than our idea of what it means to "say" something.
6. God does not need a body, especially not a solid one like we have. We use our bodies to interact with, and affect, the physical world. God interacts with the physical world in a non-physical way, so there is no reason for him to have a body of any shape or size.

We are shaped and structured the way we are because we have to interact with and thrive in our environment. God does not need any human-like features for any reason. So who exactly do we look like?

Here is how I understand it

(Rom 12:2)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(2Co 3:18)
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord.





(Col 3:10)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

 

[Jason0047]

In addition to God being Spirit (And having a human spirit form),

Jesus is still physical in Heaven (Right Now) Making Intercession For us!!!

Hebrews 7:25 - "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Now, some folk have said that it is impossible for Christ to be physical in Heaven right now because the Scriptures say that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:50 - "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

Now in defense of Hebrews 7:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:50 others have wrongfully suggested that we have glorified physical / spiritual bodies in Heaven.

However, such a notion does not make any sense because this is not what 1 Corinthians chapter 15 teaches. For the chapter makes a constant parallel between that which is physical and that which is spiritual; And Jesus himself returned and said He had flesh and bones as they did and He was not a spirit or ghost (Luke 24:39).

And others have suggested that Jesus had no blood and only flesh and bones when He ascended to Heaven. Yet that does not work because Jesus enters the Holy place by his blood and obtains eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 9:12 - "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

So if flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God then how does Jesus live forever to make intercession for us?

The answer can be found in the 3rd chapter of John.

John 3:13 - "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."

In other words, this passage is telling us above that Jesus (i.e. the Son of Man who came down from Heaven) is the exception to the rule of being flesh and blood inheriting the Kingdom of God in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

So Jesus is the only man who ascends up into Heaven physically. Everyone else who has ascended or will ascend into Heaven will go from being a physical person to a spirit being. For Enoch was translated into spirit when they entered up into Heaven; And Elijah was taken up to the sky of Heaven (And not the third Heaven). Jesus is the only man (i.e. flesh and blood person) in Heaven. For He is making intercession for us!!!

 

[Jason0047]

There are many questions that have been rattling around in my mind recently, the least serious of which is this:
Are we really made in God's image?

God was once the only thing in existence. This means that he existed before gravity, before solid matter, before time, etc. This means that it is completely illogical to think God looks anything like a human.

1. God would not need legs because he has nowhere to go. He is everywhere at once.
2. We have flat feet because gravity holds us to the solid Earth and we need them to balance. God doesn't need feet.
3. God would not need arms or hands because there was nothing in existence to hold.
4. God would not have eyes because he would not need organs that are designed to take in light before he created light.
5. He wouldn't have any use for a nose, ears, or a mouth either because there was nothing to see, taste or hear.
5a. He wouldn't need a mouth to speak the universe into existence either, because there was no medium to carry the sound. Whatever the Bible means by "God said" must be something different than our idea of what it means to "say" something.
6. God does not need a body, especially not a solid one like we have. We use our bodies to interact with, and affect, the physical world. God interacts with the physical world in a non-physical way, so there is no reason for him to have a body of any shape or size.

We are shaped and structured the way we are because we have to interact with and thrive in our environment. God does not need any human-like features for any reason. So who exactly do we look like?

Anyways, I would encourage you to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior so as to be "Born Again" spiritually so that you can start to see what the Scriptures are saying, my dear friend. Here a few Comic Book Tracts (that might help you with that):

For men:

This Was Your Life.

For women:

You Have a Date.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

God is Spirit, but He is not some formless or undescribable Spirit being, I believe man was made in God's image. For God wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone "twice" with his very finger (i.e. a finger that is spirit in essence and or being) that interacted with our physical world or universe; Also, God showed Moses his back parts. In fact, there are many references to God in having a human form (All be it, a Spiritual one).

Giving God human attributes is the figure of speech - condescension or condescension

Examples from absolutebiblestudy.com or just look up figure of speech condescension

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. – Psalm 89: 15

The word ‘countenance’ often is interpreted in Biblical texts as ‘FACE’. Can you see the importance of such a verse? Those who know the joyful sound and walk by the Word of God, they will walk in the light of God’s face. Even if you were to use the word ‘countenance’, God is Spirit and does not have a countenance. The word ‘face’ seems to have more impact. The Figure is emphasizing the fact that the believers will walk in the light of God’s presence enjoying His favor and blessing. That’s what the Word says and that’s what it means.

By the way, the word ‘face’ is used in place of presence in Psalm 17: 2, 31: 20 and others. The New English Bible has even contributed its own figure of speech in verse 17: 2.

Let judgement in my cause issue from thy lips, let thine eyes be fixed on justice. --Psalm 17: 2 [New English Bible]

How can judgement issue from God’s lips?!! God has no lips. Obviously, you know the answer. This is obviously the Figure of Speech condescensio. It should grab your attention and make you stop and think.

This figure is very easy to understand. That’s why I chose it as our first example. Let’s go through a few more examples from the New Testament.

Condescensio can be used in reference to inanimate things as we mentioned previously, such as the elements.

And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;-- Isaiah 10: 17

God is spoken of as fire. The smoke of God’s fire denotes His anger. You see God condescends to our level so that we get a vivid illustration of what He is teaching us – one that we can understand. That is one of the purposes of the Figure of Speech.

 

[Jason0047]

Giving God human attributes is the figure of speech - condescension or condescension

Examples from absolutebiblestudy.com or just look up figure of speech condescension

While it is true that the Scriptures use Metonomy or figures of speech; I disagree strongly that God does not appear at times in a form that is human like (All be it in Spirit in essence and or being). There are too many references that make it obvious. For how could Daniel identify the "Ancient of Days" (God the Father) and the "Son of Man" (Jesus) in his vision in Daniel chapter 7?

I also don't think the following passage is figurative, either.

Exodus 33:20-23
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

 

[Jason0047]

While it is true that the Scriptures use Metonomy or figures of speech; I disagree strongly that God does not appear at times in a form that is human like (All be it in Spirit in essence and or being). There are too many references that make it obvious. For how could Daniel identify the "Ancient of Days" (God the Father) and the "Son of Man" (Jesus) in his vision in Daniel chapter 7?

I also don't think the following passage is figurative, either.

Exodus 33:20-23
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

For God is actually saying to Moses here that he cannot see His face and live. However, God does allow Moses to see his back parts, though. It doesn't make any sense if this is metaphorical. Where's the context that would suggest this? In other words, you would have to fight the plain straight forward meaning of God's Word here to fit an odd view of Metonomy that does not exist.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

While it is true that the Scriptures use Metonomy or figures of speech; I disagree strongly that God does not appear at times in a form that is human like (All be it in Spirit in essence and or being). There are too many references that make it obvious. For how could Daniel identify the "Ancient of Days" (God the Father) and the "Son of Man" (Jesus) in his vision in Daniel chapter 7?

I also don't think the following passage is figurative, either.

Exodus 33:20-23
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

Metonomy is not the ONLY figure of speech used in the Bible. There are app. 200 figures used throughout Scripture.
God is Spirit - we know that for a fact!

Anyway it's just something maybe to study up on.

 

[Bride]

This is a funny thread hehe. I like it when He showed up in this image once;

(Num 22:28)
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Of course, I'm not of the impression that God is somehow limited to a physical image of any kind that we see on this planet, of this creature or a bipedal hominid form or anything. I could never imagine such a concept, it just seems innately wrong. But we can always giggle and surmise that He is limited to a physical form, and that maybe the horsehead nebula out in space is something to look at again hee haw...

 

[Jason0047]

Metonomy is not the ONLY figure of speech used in the Bible. There are app. 200 figures used throughout Scripture.
God is Spirit - we know that for a fact!

Anyway it's just something maybe to study up on.

I am aware that there are hundreds of use of Metonomy in the Scripture. But Scripture is not unknowable. The Spirit reveals the truth of Scripture and we can confirm the truth by looking at the context and in comparing Scripture with Scripture. You would be wrong for not believing man is not made in God's image or not believing Exodus that says God wrote the tablets "twice" with His very finger. God appears in a human form many times (As Spirit in essence or being). If you disagree, you would have to explain the passages in Exodus as it being metaphorical and you would have to explain Daniel's vision in Daniel chapter 7 as being metaphorical, too. Do you think God deceives us? I think it is obvious when Metonomy is being used and when it is not being used. It is clear to see when it is being employed like in all written works. But if you have an image of how you think God should be, and you don't let God's Word be God's Word, then you will always have a wrong view of God.

 

[Jason0047]

This is a funny thread hehe. I like it when He showed up in this image once;

(Num 22:28)
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Of course, I'm not of the impression that God is somehow limited to a physical image of any kind that we see on this planet, of this creature or a bipedal hominid form or anything. I could never imagine such a concept, it just seems innately wrong. But we can always giggle and surmise that He is limited to a physical form, and that maybe the horsehead nebula out in space is something to look at again hee haw...

First, please do not insult God. Second, this is not a description of God being put forth. This is God opening the mouth of a donkey that Balaam was riding whereby the donkey asked, "What have I done unto you that you have smitten me these three times?"