You Tube Theology

In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller talks with Richard Middleton about one of the Christian theology's most foundational and widely discussed ideas: humanity as the image of God (imago dei). Yet despite how important this concept is, its meaning has long been debated.

Does the image of God refer to some special human trait like reason? Does it describe our capacity for relationship? Or is it primarily about a task God has given humanity? Together Kirk and Richard discuss Genesis 1:26–28 and unpack its theological implications.

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Outline:
00:00 What Is God's Image?
00:47 Meet Richard Middleton
02:11 Context Context Context
03:24 Human Vocation In Genesis
05:55 Reading Genesis 1:26
06:49 Why It's Debated
07:47 Assumptions and Exegesis
11:52 Representing, Not Resembling
12:53 Substantial View Explained
15:54 Relational View And Barth
21:11 Vocational Functional View
24:39 Image as Gift and Call
27:29 Dignity Beyond Abilities
29:14 Image and Likeness Debate
31:07 Case for Vocational Image
37:27 Imago Dei Ethics
40:38 Christ and New Humanity
42:36 Abraham Israel and Mission
46:06 Ancient Near East Context
49:28 Practical Takeaways Preaching
52:18 Final Thanks and Outro