Image of God: Gen. 1.26-27

Image of God:  Gen. 1.26-28

Desultory notes and musings:

     1.      Gen. 1.26, 27; 5.1; 9.6; 1 Cor. 11.17; James 3.9

2. Retained after fall but twisted and distorted;  in regeneration, in progressive process of restoration, but not fully so until death in the intermediate state for believers;  reunited to  body in the resurrection at the second coming

3.      Qualities at creation: personhood, rational, affectional, volitional, dominionist, morally admirable, and self-conscious of self and communion with God

4.      But, at and after the fall, becomes twisted, distorted and dynamically energized against God in several senses from crude expressions to less crude, but refined redefinitions of God that are, nonetheless, defamatory, disrespectful and irreverent

5.      This remains a very good series for beginners exploring the consequences of the fall and the “image of God.”  http://www.ligonier.org/store/a-shattered-image-cd/

6.      Ligonier’s product description is this:  

When God created the world, He said, “It is very good.” What happened? How did we make a mess of what started out perfect? How did we stray so far from God? How can people do great things yet at the same time be so wicked? 

Dr. Sproul answers those questions and many more in A Shattered Image, a groundbreaking and vital teaching series on the doctrine of man. This series will help you understand yourself and others, and help you look forward with hope to the time when the present paradox will give way to complete righteousness. 

7.      Very appropriate in connection with Morning Prayer from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:  

Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me;

        A general Confession to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling. 

Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.