"The words "image" and "likeness" used in Genesis 1:26-27 express the idea of the whole man being created in this way. In some sense, both a man's material and immaterial aspects are included in this assessment. Now, we know that strictly speaking man's physical body is not patterned after the physical appearance of God. We are taught in John 4 that God is Spirit and does not reside in a physical body. However, this does not preclude the physical body being some part of the image of God. We exist currently as body and soul together. It is meaningless to talk of us a just a soul or just a body when we are alive on earth. Both are intricately intertwined to make you the person you are.
Your question has the implication that those people who have mental or physical deficiencies are somehow not created in the image of God. I find that this is not true. Because some of the aspects we associate with God's image may not be operating properly, it doesn't mean the person is devoid of God's image. Rather, it shows that the image is somehow skewed or distorted. I liken this to an analogy of a car being made in a certain likeness (such as the body style of a corvette). When it is wrecked, the damage does not nullify the idea of being formed in that likeness, but shows the image as defective and in need of repair. Every person who is aware, no matter how slight his mental faculties, lives by some ethic, some moral code, and some decision-making processes. This re-emphasizes importance of our Redeemer's work in the lives of men, for only He can create a heart in man that is not distorted and seeks His will.
Read more: http://www.comereason.org/theo_issues/th...z1JugpPzV6
"
anyways : http://www.comereason.org/theo_issues/theo080.asp , same question as u've delivered
Bible is full of metaphores and sometimes some people just judge too fast, because maybe it has OTHER meaning, not the one in his head.
))
church is institution, religion is cultural system that creates powerful and long-lasting meaning by establishing symbols that relate humanity to beliefs and values
gg
Your question has the implication that those people who have mental or physical deficiencies are somehow not created in the image of God. I find that this is not true. Because some of the aspects we associate with God's image may not be operating properly, it doesn't mean the person is devoid of God's image. Rather, it shows that the image is somehow skewed or distorted. I liken this to an analogy of a car being made in a certain likeness (such as the body style of a corvette). When it is wrecked, the damage does not nullify the idea of being formed in that likeness, but shows the image as defective and in need of repair. Every person who is aware, no matter how slight his mental faculties, lives by some ethic, some moral code, and some decision-making processes. This re-emphasizes importance of our Redeemer's work in the lives of men, for only He can create a heart in man that is not distorted and seeks His will.
Read more: http://www.comereason.org/theo_issues/th...z1JugpPzV6
"
anyways : http://www.comereason.org/theo_issues/theo080.asp , same question as u've delivered
Bible is full of metaphores and sometimes some people just judge too fast, because maybe it has OTHER meaning, not the one in his head.
))church is institution, religion is cultural system that creates powerful and long-lasting meaning by establishing symbols that relate humanity to beliefs and values
gg
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