THE IMAGE OF GOD AND MISSION

Abstract

The creation of man in the image of God and the resulting cultural mandate are integral to understanding God’s intent for man, and the overall narrative of scripture.  The fall of Adam did not make these irrelevant; to the contrary, they are essential to a proper understanding of the story of redemption and the resulting mission of the church.  In this paper I will explain the meaning of the image of God, its partial restoration in the Patriarchs and Israel, its full restoration in Christ, and the resulting implications on the mission of the church.  This will provide a biblical foundation for a comprehensive view of mission.