Imago Dei

Every culture, every age puts pressure on the Christian faith in different places. In Acts 17, the Athenian philosophers scoffed at the idea of resurrection. In the 4th century, Roman Gnostics bristled at the idea of a God made flesh who dwelt among us. Nineteenth and 20th century Western modernists could not fathom a deity who could alter created order through miracles. In every age, this pressure presents an opportunity for the church to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). 

The many pressing issues of our day could perhaps be summed up in one question: What does it mean to be human? Gender, race, sexuality, identity – these cultural hot topics revolve not around sorting out “who is God?” but “who am I?” Even so, the Christian answer to the second question starts with the first.

According to the Bible, the most fundamental answer to all questions of human identity is this: I am a creature made in the image of God. Though it might seem simple, the implications of that statement could not be more far-reaching for understanding ourselves and our faith, and for navigating our cultural moment. 

Join us on Sundays in August as we explore how Christian faith answers our questions of human identity.

Sermon Review

Part 1 – Imago Dei – Kevin Rogers

What does it mean to be human? Part of the Bible’s answer includes this: Human beings are made in the image of God.

Part 2 – Male and Female – Kevin Rogers

From the beginning, within the unity of our common humanity, there is an intentional and beautiful variety. Mankind is made in God’s image as both male and female.

Part 3 - Race - Kevin Rogers

Mankind is made up of one race and many ethnicities that are divided because of sin, reunited through the gospel, and represented in glory.

Helpful Resources

What God Has to Say About Our Bodies, Sam Allberry – This book offers biblical guidance for living, including understanding gender, sexuality, and identity; dealing with aging, illness, and death; and considering the physical future hope that we have in Christ.

The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims, Rebecca McLaughlin – This resource will help disentangle the beliefs Christians gladly affirm from those they cannot embrace, and invites us to talk with our neighbors about the things that matter most.