The Imago Dei and Our Shared Humanity In Christ 

     Kevin Rowe in his provocative book Christianity's Surprise explores many of the unexpected, serendipitous aspects of Christianity throughout the ages. As an outgrowth of Judaism, Christianity has been defined by its intrinsic paradoxes, unique theological focus on the personhood of Jesus and a radical understanding of human identity in the Imago Dei. This radical understanding of humanity, being fashioned in the Imago Dei, is critical to combatting racism and educating the Church and broader society about our shared humanity in Christ.

     Rowe begins his chapter entitled The Human by exploring the question of what it means to be human. He argues that human beings are unique in the created order in such philosophical musings. However, the answer to this profound question is not discovered though vain pursuit, but through as the eminent theologian Karl Barth describes "Divine revelation." Quintessentially, humankind's self-understanding is a pure gift from the Giver of all gifts.

     As Rowe develops his argument, he asserts that early Christians viewed Jesus of Nazareth as the quintessential human, the God-man who clothed himself in flesh through the incarnation. All other humans were fashioned in His image. Theological understandings of the Imago Dei are based on Genesis 1:26-27:

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."

So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;[d]
male and female he created them. (NRSV)

Rowe asserts that the ancient Hebrews understood the Imago Dei as themselves, reflections of Yahweh's unique way in the Near Eastern world. However, Rowe is careful to articulate that the Jews also understood humanity in general to be created in the Imago Dei, even though the focus eventually shifted to Israel, God's chosen people.

     For Rowe, the early Christians interpreted the Imago Dei Christologically. They understood the Imago Dei as the image of Christ, reflecting their understanding of Jesus' equality with God. Thus, Rowe asserts:

This is a "Christological" interpretation of the human, which means

That for the early Christians the most important thing that could

Be said about any and every human being was said with the name:

Jesus Christ.

To be human was to be made in the Imago Dei, the image of Christ who is the second person of the Divine Godhead. The early church's complete understanding of what it means to be human was in relation to Jesus. Therefore, to encounter a human being was to encounter Jesus. Christ was the ultimate expression of what it means to be human, a perfect reflection of the Divine nature of Yahweh. Essentially, the Imago Dei was the defining element of humankind's shared humanity.

     Rowe boldly argues that Jesus Christ is "the human." Therefore, every human is Jesus Christ. This comports well with Dr. Steven Chapman's understanding of the Imago Dei, based on the Hebrew word for image elem, meaning a physical representation of a royal deity[1]. This has profound theological implications regarding the intrinsic dignity, beauty and royalty of the human.

     Rowe's exploration of the early church's understanding of the Imago Dei and Jesus is illuminating, providing a fresh Christological perspective. However, his exploration may have been enhanced by also exploring Irenaeus' understanding of the Imago Dei as the rational and moral nature of the Divine. For Irenaeus, the believer gradually grows into the "likeness" of God (holiness) over time[2].

                             Establishing An Imago Dei Theological Framework For

                                           Preaching and Teaching About Racism

     A constructive discourse about racism in America must be established in the theological framework of the Imago Dei, which is the image of Christ. An Imago-Dei framework for preaching and teaching about racism in our churches grounds such communication in the mind and wisdom of the Divine, through the living Word, God breathed by the wind, ruach of the most High. This is why the Apostle Paul asserts in his letter to Timothy:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NRSV)

The sacred scriptures open the portals of divine wisdom to the Church and the world. Only then are we able to see with new eyes how Yahweh views all humankind, carefully crafted in the image, elem of the Trinity. What would happen if we embraced the reality that every human being bears the image of Christ, that we all reflect the Divine Image? How would our perspectives change if we truly understood we are physical representations of a royal deity, reflecting the nature and beauty of the divine? It would likely challenge our conventional epistemologies about race and ethnicity in the American ethos. Such a perspective would help tear down, dismantle false theories about white supremacy in society. It would provide a counter narrative to the dominant story of race, deeply woven into the fabric of our culture.

     The historical protests against police brutality, spurred by the death of George Floyd, created a watershed moment for human rights not just in America, but around the globe. It highlighted the critical need of clergy leaders to address this salient problem of systemic racism plaguing our country. I am an African American pastor of a predominately white congregation in an agrarian community. My congregation is comprised of both highly educated white-collar professionals and less educated blue-collar workers. Preaching about racism in this context does not come without its inherent challenges. I am fully aware that half of the congregation are lifelong Republicans and that some have been duped by flawed ideologies of isolationism, division and racism. As I speak about racism in my context, I build my ideas upon the theological framework of the Imago-Dei. This is critical, as it grounds the conversation in the authority of inspired Scripture, not the fractured moral ethics of Post-Modernism. It's important for my congregation to understand our shared humanity in Christ. As human beings, we are all equally loved and valued in the eyes of the Trinity who fashioned us in the Imago Dei.

                                        A Shared Humanity and the Call to Love

     As creatures of Elohim, our shared humanity in the image of Christ reveals our inescapable interconnectedness. However, this shared divine image comes with particular deontological obligations to love (Greek-agape) one another (John 13;34). The love of one's neighbor as oneself is a Divine imperative, not an optional pursuit. Above all, agape love seeks that which is pleasing to the Triune God-holy lives defined by the radical love of our neighbors. It is the most powerful force we have against racism in society as it makes possible the mutual flourishing of all in our communities.

     At Remington United Methodist Church, we combat racism through deliberate gestures of Christian love and inclusion of all people in community, regardless of race or ethnicity. In the Spring of 2020, in response to the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, our church established a food pantry for local residents. The pantry provides over 200 pounds of food a week to families in need. We are able to sustain this effort through significant donations of non-perishable items and financial gifts. We are particularly excited about this ministry that allows us to support fellow image bearers of the Divine. This effort comports well with our Lord's teaching about altruism in Matthew 25:35-37.

     We also combat racism through outreach work with our community garden. It is truly a multi-cultural affair with people of many ethnic groups working together towards mutual goals. The community garden allows local residents to grow their own organic produce, supplementing their grocery bills. Moreover, the garden produces an abundance of fresh vegetables for residents with limited resources.

      Remington UMC's outreach efforts, grounded in a theology of the Imago Dei comports well with the African philosophical concept of ubuntu. It is a Zulu concept meaning "I am, because you are." It affirms the interconnected nature of all humanity as we work towards the mutual flourishing of all people[3]. As creatures of the Most High, we are fashioned for community. It is a community that realizes its highest goal and splendor as part of the body of Christ.

      Kevin Rowe in his provocative book Christianity's Surprise explores many of the unexpected, serendipitous aspects of Christianity throughout the ages. As an outgrowth of Judaism, Christianity has been defined by its intrinsic paradoxes, unique theological focus on the personhood of Jesus and a radical understanding of what it means to be human through the Imago Dei. This unique understanding of humanity, being fashioned in the Imago Dei, is critical to combatting racism and educating the Church and broader society about our shared humanity and beauty in Christ.

                                                                Bibliography

Christianity's Surprise, Nashville: Abington Press, 2020) Kindle Edition

The Revised Standard Version Bible, accessed February 14, 2021, https://www.biblegateway.com

The Gardian.com, accessed 3/8/21

Biographical Information

Don Williams is a United Methodist pastor currently pursuing his Doctoral of Ministry degree at Duke University. He also is an accomplished Christian composer, guitarist and singer.

Links to Social Media

https://thinking-theologically.webnode.com

[1] Leadership in the Old Testament lectures, Duke University, 2020.

[2] https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1017-04992016000100014, accessed on 3/8/21

[3] The Gardian.com, accessed 3/8/21 your text here...