Image of God

Christianity has been interpreted in many ways by different theologians and lay people. As much as this subject is studied there continues to be an ongoing differing of opinions relating to what it means to be created in the image of God. However, even with the differing of opinions, Christian faith is based on the central belief that Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and that his life on earth, his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven are proof of God 's love for humanity. (infoplease.com, 2010). Although Christian beliefs are based on the New Testament, Christianity still views the Old Testament as a very important part of its faith and uses it often in reference and teaching. This paper will first discuss what it means to be created in the image of God as it pertains to my opinion and second how my beliefs on this subject are incorporated into my nursing practice. Man in God’s Image “The most distinctive feature of the biblical understanding of man is the teaching that man has been created in the image of God”. (Hoekema, 1986). The bible refers to man being made in God’s image in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the book of Genesis references man being made in God’s image in the Creation Story, in explanation of the generations of Adam to Noah and also again in the Covenant With Noah. Genesis: 1:26-28; 5:1-3 and 9:6. The New Testament references in many different books that man was made in the likeness of God and also speaks frequently of Jesus as being the perfect man who is made in the image of God. Hoekema states “Since Christ was totally without sin (Heb 4:15), in Christ we see the image of God in its perfection”. Christian belief follows that man was made in the image of God; however, differing theologians have developed differing theories over the years in regards to what it means to be made in the image of

References: Catholic Church.  Catechism of the Catholic Church.  2nd ed.  Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000. Christianity: Central Beliefs. (2010). Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0857333.html#ixzz0zQKnLsSt Created in god 's image New American Bible, (1991). St. Joseph ed. Catholic book Publishing Corporation. New World Encyclopedia Online. (2010). Augustine of Hippo. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Augustine_of_Hippo Shelly, J.A., & Miller, A.B September 14, 2010 Brandy Perkins