Humanity′s creation in the image of God has long provided a.doc

Still Being Human: The Image of God and Embodiment after the Genome Joni Grace Powers (University of Texas at Dallas) Robert A. Pyne (Dallas Theological Seminary) Presented To Reformed Theology and History Group 2005 Annual Meeting American Academy of Religion Introduction Recent studies on human nature and behavior, typified by the Human Genome Project, raise significant questions for Christian theology. How can humans claim to be unique beyond discrete pieces of genetic code? Can the language of imago dei, “image of God,” still be used in any context related to humans? Is there a place for human freedom in the equation of genetic determinism? Is the Spirit of God lost as the genome is found? An adequate response to these questions requires revisiting Reformed doctrine on imago dei as it speaks into the realm of contemporary scientific knowledge. The doctrine has typically explored how humans are like God and, conversely, how we are unlike other creatures. We suggest that the focus must now shift from what we as humans are to what we as humans were created to be. We must move from ontology to teleology. Humans fulfill a unique creative purpose in glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. The gaze turns from us to God. The epicenter of imago dei is reclaimed for God Himself. This paper first explores the nature of being human. We then briefly summarize several traditional Reformed approaches to the concept of imago dei. Next we move into a brief outline of the problematic issues with these approaches. Finally, we submit a view of imago dei that pivots upon God’s creative purpose for humanity. Our great hope anticipates being fully human through expansive delight in our glorious God. On Being Human Any discussion of imago dei must address underlying assumptions about the created being that is the bearer of the image of God. It is helpful to define what we mean when we refer to the state of being human. A human is an individual conceived as a member of the human race.