Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters
Digital Logos Edition
Logos Editions are fully connected to your library and Bible study tools.
Overview
What does it mean to be human? This timeless question proves critical as we seek to understand our purpose, identity, and significance. Amidst the many voices clamoring to shape our understanding of humanity, the Bible reveals important truths related to our human identity and vocation that are critical to the flourishing of all of creation.
Carmen Joy Imes seeks to recover the theologically rich message of the creation narratives starting in the book of Genesis as they illuminate what it means to be human. Every human being is created as God’s image. Imago Dei is our human identity, and God appointed humans to rule on God’s behalf. Being God’s Image explores the implications of this kinship relationship with God and considers what it means for our work, our gender relations, our care for creation, and our eternal destiny. The Bible invites us into a dramatically different quality of life: a beloved community in which we can know God and one another as we are truly known. Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection or group study
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Explores the theologically rich message of the creation narratives starting in the book of Genesis
- Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection or group study
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Pattern of Creation
- Crown of Creation
- Shoe Leather
- The Human Project
- Interlude: Being the Image and Bearing the Name
- The Human Quest
- Human Suffering
- Jesus, the Human
- A New Humanity
- The Beloved Community
- From Creation to New Creation
Part 1: Humans in God’s World
Part 2: The Way of Wisdom
Part 3: Human in God’s New World
To really know who you are, you need to know where you came from. Carmen Imes takes this idea seriously and walks through Genesis and other parts of Scripture to capture God’s plan for creation, especially human image bearers. If you are looking for wisdom on personal identity and calling—and how to love, respect, and partner with fellow humans—this is a steady guide.
—Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary
Beautifully written and clearly presented, Being God’s Image takes the reader on a wonderful journey through Scripture. Carmen Imes clearly displays the wonder of being the creatures called to be God’s image and bear his name, reminding us throughout what an amazing thing it is to be made in the image of God.
—Marc Cortez, professor of theology at Wheaton College and Graduate School
- Title: Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters
- Author: Carmen Joy Imes
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 231
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Image of God; Identification (Religion); Identity (Psychology) › Religious aspects--Christianity; Identity › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781514000212, 9781514000205, 1514000210, 1514000202
- Resource ID: LLS:BEINGGODSIMAGE
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-13T17:55:57Z
Reviews
6 ratings
Flavio
8/28/2024
John Koeshall
4/21/2024
Carmen Imes is an outstanding communicator and teacher, drawing together biblical ideas and (particularly in this book) the intertextual connections that make the biblical narrative of image-bearing, and serving it up in delectable chapters for the reader. Both the amateur and the seasoned pastor/theologian will have much to take away from this book. Divided into three parts, she begins in part 1 with describing and defining what it is to be in God's image, and that this is neither lost nor marred through humanity's fallenness, instead sin reduces our ability fulfill our vocation, and everyone, no matter what, images God. Part 2 touches on the the wisdom literature, exploring the topic of wisdom, of human sexuality, of suffering and vocation, and living within our limits. Part 3 talks about image bearing and God's now world, beginning with Jesus, the new human, crucified and raised again. This section is again rich in intertextual connections between Genesis 1-3 and Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. Next she explores what it means to live as diverse people in one community brought together through and as the body of Christ. She ends with a look forward towards where this is all going, the ultimate defeat of evil, and the paradise garden becoming a city garden. Again, excellent book with study questions. A wonderful resource to create a framework for reading scripture. Highly recommended!
Aaron Smith
9/8/2023
Ken Swales
6/23/2023
Brian Pollock
6/7/2023
Carmen Imes has produced an outstanding companion volume to her first book "Bearing God's Name". In "Being God's Image", she tackles the subject of what God's image is and how we human beings were and are made in that image. Her mastery of the original language and her deep understanding of the context in which the Old Testament and, in particular, Genesis has to say about who we are and whose we are. She challenges us to consider how we would treat every other human being and our world if we remembered that each person we interact with is also made in the image of God. The implications for how we live are incredible and this realization drives deep introspection for everyone who reads this excellent work. Once again, Carmen includes QR codes which link to videos from The Bible Project which give a visual component to the wisdom she shares. Her friendships with Tim Mackie and Jon Collins benefits all of their readers and watchers. On a purely personal note, I was privileged to be a reader of an early draft of "Being God's Image" and Carmen was extremely gracious allow me to comment and even accept some minor edits from me. I have been waiting for this book to be available so that I can share my excitement and enthusiasm for it with my fellow believers.Matthew Brown
6/7/2023
I love reading theology, and I love talking theology with people. The one thing that frustrates me is when scholars write books that seem to be a flex on how many big words they can use. Carmen does such a good job at removing this frustration. Not only is the content deep and challenging, it is written to be understood. It is written for people. Each chapter ends with helpful videos and other resources so that we can study this crucial topic together. I think this sets a new standard for Christian scholarship in the future. Content wise, I went in to the book with a few slight disagreements about what it means to be God's image. I think Carmen has won me over and clarified some questions I never found satisfaction in. Even if you are not interested in the difference between being and bearing the image, I think Carmen will draw your attention and bring you through a beautiful story of who you, and all of humanity, truly is.
