Created in the "Image" and "Likeness" of God
“Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. . . . God created [humankind] in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:26-27
Based on the above-quoted scripture passages from Genesis, Catholic Christianity recognizes that human life is sacred and that the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings arises from being created in the "image" and "likeness" of God. This signifies a profound relationship between God and humanity. Theologians have sought throughout the centuries to understand the nuances between these two terms and have formulated the following distinctions:*
Image of God:
The "image of God" (Latin: “imago Dei”) refers to the inherent qualities that humans possess which reflect God's nature. These include:
Rationality: The ability to think, reason, and make decisions.
Free Will: The capacity to choose and act freely.
Relationality: The ability to form relationships and love others.
Moral Awareness: The understanding of right and wrong.
These attributes are considered to be part of the human essence from the moment of creation, as described in Genesis 1:26-27.
Likeness of God:
The "likeness of God" emphasizes the potential for humans to grow in holiness and to become more like God through their character, choices, and actions. This involves:
Spiritual Growth: The process of becoming more holy and virtuous.
Sanctification: The journey of being transformed by God's grace.
Moral Perfection: Striving to live a life that reflects God's goodness and love.
While the "image" is an inherent part of being human, the "likeness" is something that can be developed and deepened through a life of faith, prayer, and adherence to God's will.
Theological Perspectives:
Early Church Fathers: Many early Church Fathers, such as St. Irenaeus, emphasized that while the "image" of God is an inherent part of human nature, the "likeness" of God is something that humans must strive to attain through a life of virtue and holiness.
St. Thomas Aquinas: Aquinas suggested that the "image" of God refers to the intellectual and rational nature of humans, while the "likeness" refers to the moral and spiritual perfection that humans can achieve through God's grace.
Practical Implications:
Dignity and Worth: Being made in the image of God means that every human being has inherent dignity and worth, deserving of respect and love.
Moral Responsibility: The concept of likeness emphasizes the moral responsibility of humans to grow in virtue and holiness, striving to reflect God's character in their lives.
Relationship with God: Both terms highlight the potential for a deep, personal relationship with God, where humans can grow in their understanding and love of God.
In summary, the "image" of God refers to the inherent qualities that humans share with God, while the "likeness" of God emphasizes the potential for spiritual growth and transformation towards realizing these inherent qualities, beginning in this life and culminating in the next. Together, they underscore the unique dignity, moral responsibility, and relational capacity of all human beings.
How can we do this? Through the power and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, helping us to discern, choose, follow, and do the will of God, which we will discuss in our next article.
* This article was prepared, in part, from information obtained through specific queries using CoPilot, January 18, 2025, as modified by the author.