“What is divine is full of Providence. Even chance is not divorced from nature, from the unweaving and enfolding of things governed by Providence. Everything proceeds from it.”

Marcus Aurelius

The video by “Inspiring Philosophies” (2017), points out the origin of humanity and the concept of imago dei for understanding creation and likeness. This designation of “bara” (create) is a divine function (assigned roles) not a created material function. Creation (“asah”) means through a natural process.

The image of God is important to know in Christian theology to show the difference between other creation (beast/animals). Some believe the physical, substantive, or combination of the views. God created man as an ontological or biological feature. We are rational, creative, and to understand right or wrong.

The mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not right or wrong (Red Motivation, 2020). This distinction can be translated as the differences between personality and individuality, and the attitude of people with no Christian tradition (religious faith, spiritual understanding) behaving in ignorance of the Truth.

The word bara (create) is used in scripture (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20). We are similar to animals (ontology or biology) but our purpose (calling) by God is to form a partnership with Him. The distinction in making man to be representatives or stewards (caretakers) of creation. This covenant (agreement) to serve as “priest,” amongst man and anointed to be agents in the renewal of whole creation.

Image and likeness are willed by God, and elevates man to receive (grace, mercy) for this purpose to be partners with God in a personal intimate relationship. Our aim is to be Christ like, Christ being the highest form of self (consciousness). God has assigned man to function as His instrument to give his attitude a new purpose.

In metaphysical literature, Israel means the whole person (consciousness) of spiritual ideas (images) going through spiritual discipline. In Isaiah 65:18, “But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create (bara); for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness” (King James Bible, 1769/2020, Isaiah 65:18).

We are to behave rationally, creatively, and exercise morality to serve God’s purposes in our own life to help others and His creation. To kindle the inner light in our being. In true humility, I believe being ignorant is only ignoring or being unaware of Truth. We are here to learn and discover continually, creating an image in likeness of Christ nature.

References

Inspiring Philosophies. (2017, December 17). Imago dei: What does it mean to be the image of God [Video]. You Tube. https://youtu.be/Q49G4tihX3Y

King James Bible. (2020). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Red Frost Motivation. (2020, June 10). Carl Jung: Life changing quotes [Video]. You Tube. https://youtu.be/f9KnSsrSNa8