Deep Dive into God-Made, Christ-Ruled: The Royal Image and Vocation (Genesis 1:26 –31)

The image and likeness of God, defined in Genesis 1:26 –31, establishes humanity’s unique identity as the crown of God’s creation. This identity is multifaceted, integrating three inseparable elements: ontological likeness, functional calling, and relational communion. These concepts are conveyed through a genre of theological history that narrates real divine acts.

Ontologically, being truly like God grants every person intrinsic and inviolable dignity, independent of capacity or social recognition. This dignity is rooted in internal capacities ordered to God, traditionally summarized as knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, which fit humans for communion with the Creator.

Functionally, the image equips humanity for its purpose, or telos, as God’s vice-regent. This royal mission is summarized by the fivefold commission: be fruitful, multiply, fill, subdue, and have dominion. These commands mandate culture-making and the ordering of creation’s potentials toward God-honoring ends, demanding cultivation rather than exploitation. This dominion is strictly bounded by God’s moral order, ensuring human rule is derivative and accountable.

Relationally, the image is irreducibly communal, borne by male and female together, demonstrating that sexed embodiment is integral to human flourishing. The entire created order, including humanity installed in its office, is affirmed by God’s final moral assessment as "very good."

Canonically, this divine design finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the true Image and last Adam. Although the image was marred by the Fall, it is renewed in believers through sanctification, conforming them to Christ's likeness in righteousness and holiness and reorienting their vocation through the Great Commission.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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