"Being God's Image" by Carmen Joy Imes. A Review

 

It's a subject worth much of our reflective powers. if, as Christians, we truly hold to the idea that all humans are somehow the image of God, then we need to delve into the topic with verve. The ramifications are, and can be, far reaching. It impacts how we view people of different ethnic or educational or economic tribes. It affects the way we think of women, men, girls and boys, born and unborn. Carmen Joy Imes, associate professor of the Old Testament at Biola University, addresses this matter in her easy going, though serious, manner in the new 240-page softback "Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matter". Academically written, but intended for the Jane and Joe walking through the ecclesiastical streets, this volume is clear, instructive, and straightforward.

Imes's main point is that we don't bear the image of God, but are the image of God. "God's image is not something we bear; it's something we are...image isn't something we do, but who we are" (6). This perspective she then develops, working through the various schools on what it means to be the image of God, showing where they were strong and where they fell short. She finally lands on the notion that the image of God includes kinship and kingship (32). It's from here she wades through the biblical story, from Genesis 1 and 2 (she seems to hold to John Walton's position on the creation story) to Revelation.

As she takes readers through Scripture examining our kingship and kinship, the author touches on many subjects. Gender (she leans more to the egalitarian side of things, which I don't), justice, suffering, stewardship, church, resurrection, and more, For example, her development of anger is important. "Anger is a window to the soul. It tells us what really matters most to us. Some of our anger is undeniably off course. If we slow down and take a look at patterns in our anger, we can sometimes see areas in our hearts that need work...It would be wise for us to examine our responses to anger. Does our anger align with God's character? Is our anger on behalf of someone else? Or is it self-centered" (115, 117)?

My favorite chapter was on the resurrection and ascension of Christ. She clearly holds to the physical resurrection of our Lord, and shows definitively why it matters, and what we have lost if it isn't true. I was also grateful for her handling of eschatology, and the new creation. Finally, she finishes out the volume with an appendix filled with QR codes to take interested readers to specific videos - for free - that will add to their study and comprehension. The videos are all part of The BibleProject, some of my favorites.

"Being God's Image" is a handy manual on the topic. Readable, comprehendible, useable. This manuscript would be good for seminaries and colleges, as well as study groups in the church. Though I'm not onboard with the author's ideas about Genesis 1-2 or gender roles, nevertheless it is a valuable, and enjoyable read. I recommend the work.

My thanks to IVP Academic for the free copy sent for my review at my request. They made no demands on me. No one was held hostage or taken prisoner. They allowed me free rein. Therefore, my analysis is freely made and freely given.