Sun. June 15, 2014 (Michelle Drewitz)

Michelle Drewitz detailed for us what it is to be made in the image of God, based on Genesis 1 and 2. Contrasting Genesis with older texts, she established the origins and workings of our universe, as well as our function within in it. Genesis also names and differentiates - this allows us to establish a relationship based on function. Given that man is created in the image of God (theomorphism) it’s important to remember we are like God, but not God. No images of Yahweh are ever seen, unlike other ancient deities. In ancient worldviews, the cosmos existed to serve the gods, and so did humans. The focus is reversed in Genesis - God creates the cosmos for plants, animals and humans. Things exist for each other, not Yahweh, and Yahweh’s presence is made known to all by the human presence in the world. As we bear the image of God, so to are we called to do God’s work on the planet. Michelle indicated our dominion is to rule creation and care for it - in a dense passage worth reviewing, she indicated kingship is an act of justice (Ian Provan), but it is to be exercised in community, not as sole rulers. Our image of God arises out of our relationship with God, and we become more like God as we care for His creation and each other. [AP]

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