WK 2 | Politics & The Imago Dei | September 8, 2024
Text Questions to (360) 516-1203
Matthew 20:25-28 (NLT) -
25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) -
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
“Being created in God’s image means that we reflect Godlike qualities personally, intellectually, volitionally, emotionally, morally, spiritually, relationally, and functionally.” —Larry D. Hart in Truth Aflame: Theology for the Church in Renewal
Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV) -
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Why does being created in the image of God matter?
Genesis 9:5-6 (NLT) -
5 “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. 6 If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.
“If we believe that human beings are made in the Image of God, then we should interpret cultural issues through that lens. This lens will apply to issues like abortion, sex trafficking, immigration, war, civil rights, pornography and prostitution, criminal justice, and many more. Many Christians on both sides of the political aisle have allowed these topics to become partisan issues rather than Imago Dei issues. When wrestling with topics like these, we must commit to thinking through the principles we find in the Bible regarding human life and dignity.” —Rylie Fine in What Does The Bible Tell Us About The Imago Dei
How does the Imago Dei influence life and politics?
All people deserve to be treated with
“We are in a vicious feedback loop of a citizenry that makes itself available for and incentivizes political tactics that degrade people and degrade our politics, which leads to a normalization or routinization — an embeddedness — of these kinds of political tactics and approaches. Incivility, vulgarity, and indecency are now tools in the political toolbox that are deemed useful in the pursuit of political victory or some policy end.” —Michael Wear in The Spirit of Our Politics
Proverbs 11:12 (NLT) -
It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) -
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences
James 3:9-11 (NIV) -
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
“Humility helps us separate a person’s thinking from their dignity and to recognize and respect the latter even when we vehemently disagree with the former.” —Justin Giboney in Compassion & Conviction
1 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV) -
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
“Scripture is replete with instructions regarding the importance of how we speak to and treat others, and the way we comport ourselves in public. Incivility is not justified by incivility—especially not for Christians.” —Richard Mouw | Former President of Fuller Theological Seminary
“Although Christians are still called to speak truth in an increasingly corrupt world, it is vital that we think carefully about how our faith informs our politics. We must hold fast to God’s declaration in Genesis 1:27 that every person is made in his image. And we practice this truth in ways that will not diminish human dignity.” —Justin Giboney in Compassion & Conviction
FINAL QUESTION: How will you affirm the Imago Dei in others?