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Imago Dei
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Author:  Seer of Endor [ February 11th, 2012, 3:59 am ]
Post subject:  Imago Dei

What does it mean that mankind is made in the image of God?
How do we reflect that?
How do your fantasy races reflect the nature of God?

Author:  RunningWolf [ February 11th, 2012, 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

I don't know for sure, but I think that the fact that we have a spirit plays a role in this, and I think also that we have a real personality and are capable of creativity, love, and other emotions (like, deeper than animals are able to), which, I guess might be connected with having a spirit.
That's my take anyway.
If the above is correct, any of the races in my fantasy that are actually sentient, are, in a sense, images of beings that are Imago Dei. I think.

Author:  Seer of Endor [ February 12th, 2012, 3:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

The spirit aspect is definitely part of it. But I don't think it's quite the single definitive point that most people want to make it out to be. I think if we look at Genesis 1 we get a big hint to another key part of it:
Genesis 1:26-29 wrote:
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,[b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.”
I highlighted one of the points that I think gets overlooked. I think one of the ways that we were made in the image of God is that we were made to rule. It's a subordinate reign, just as our creativity and our spirits are subordinate to his creative power and his spirit.

RunningWolf wrote:
If the above is correct, any of the races in my fantasy that are actually sentient, are, in a sense, images of beings that are Imago Dei. I think.
Yes...but surely your races reflect attributes of God in more ways than just that. If you read this thread, it might help give you a better context for that question.

Author:  Captain Nemo Marlene [ February 13th, 2012, 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

That's a great thought, Seer. I also think that part of us being made in the image of God causes us to make things. He is the Creator, and us being in His image then makes us creators too, though not to His grand of a scale.

Author:  Seer of Endor [ February 13th, 2012, 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

I agree, Captain Nemo. :D

Author:  RunningWolf [ February 15th, 2012, 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

Yep, I agree, God gave us a position similar, but oh so much smaller than, his.

Captain Nemo wrote:
That's a great thought, Seer. I also think that part of us being made in the image of God causes us to make things. He is the Creator, and us being in His image then makes us creators too, though not to His grand of a scale.


I agree with this too! I finally found the quote I shared on facebook that refers to this truth:

"Fantasy remains a human right: we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made: and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker."
— Tolkien On Fairy-stories"

Good discussion!

Author:  Bethany (Lady Alina) [ February 22nd, 2012, 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

Interesting...I agree though with all that's been said.

Author:  MadeFree92 [ July 17th, 2012, 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

Interesting thoughts. *ponders* :)

Author:  Turtleman [ October 12th, 2012, 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imago Dei

I believe it is a matter of freewill see my Ska'Lah'Seh threads for more.

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