http://ccass.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/bearing-gods-image/ THE GOSPEL OF GOD Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:34:49 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://ccass.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/bearing-gods-image/#comment-7 ccass Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:01:49 +0000 http://ccass.wordpress.com/?p=32#comment-7 Great example Alex! The more I've thought about this concept of imperial image bearing the more I like it. It has really helped me to put the emphasis on God as the authority, rather than just on man the image. For a long time I really only thought of this doctrine in connection with the above mentioned ethical implications. After the sermon this last weekend about politics I've realized that one of the ways we reflect God's image is by being politically involved. Going back to your example of the Hussein statue being toppled over: that is such a vivid image of the kind of work Christians should be doing in their own surroundings. Not just paying lip service to issues, but actually helping to smash down the idols erected by bad leaders. With a regime like Hussein's which is very obviously physically oppressive the lines are pretty clear cut; defend life against the enemy. But where I really think the doctrine of bearing God's image can help shed light is in the political issues where the lines are really blured, like cloning for instance. Here's the beauty of it though: Christians in whatever issue have a powerful position from which to argue, that people are made in God's image, and in so doing they are reflecting the image of God and confronting society level idols. Great example Alex! The more I’ve thought about this concept of imperial image bearing the more I like it. It has really helped me to put the emphasis on God as the authority, rather than just on man the image. For a long time I really only thought of this doctrine in connection with the above mentioned ethical implications.
After the sermon this last weekend about politics I’ve realized that one of the ways we reflect God’s image is by being politically involved. Going back to your example of the Hussein statue being toppled over: that is such a vivid image of the kind of work Christians should be doing in their own surroundings. Not just paying lip service to issues, but actually helping to smash down the idols erected by bad leaders. With a regime like Hussein’s which is very obviously physically oppressive the lines are pretty clear cut; defend life against the enemy. But where I really think the doctrine of bearing God’s image can help shed light is in the political issues where the lines are really blured, like cloning for instance. Here’s the beauty of it though: Christians in whatever issue have a powerful position from which to argue, that people are made in God’s image, and in so doing they are reflecting the image of God and confronting society level idols.

]]> http://ccass.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/bearing-gods-image/#comment-6 Alex Kirk Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:07:18 +0000 http://ccass.wordpress.com/?p=32#comment-6 I definitely think it is helpful to understand the parallel. If an emperor's image is sacred, demands respect, and displays authority, how much more God's. Remember the destruction of Sadam Hussein's statue in Bagdad right after the invasion? The Iraqi people were so zealous about it and all the news channels reported it as a huge moral victory. There was dancing in the streets just because his image was knocked down, and with the image went the authority. I definitely think it is helpful to understand the parallel. If an emperor’s image is sacred, demands respect, and displays authority, how much more God’s. Remember the destruction of Sadam Hussein’s statue in Bagdad right after the invasion? The Iraqi people were so zealous about it and all the news channels reported it as a huge moral victory. There was dancing in the streets just because his image was knocked down, and with the image went the authority.

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