Kilner’s “Humanity in God’s Image” Article Critique Essay (Critical Writing)

Introduction

This section will present the critique of humans formed in God’s image. Is there a problem with the image? Were we, as humans, precisely fashioned in God’s image? Have humans contributed to the degradation of this photograph in any way? Is it still feasible to fix a corrupted image? In his journal, John F. Kilner explains and illustrates what it means to be formed in God’s image and likeness.

For this to be feasible, Scripture must be understood from the beginning to the present day. According to what Kilner has taught us, some of the information we have been given regarding God’s image is inaccurate¹. According to Kilner, preserving the value and dignity of human beings has become the dominant force in the world and an essential concept for understanding biblical theology and ethics.

Brief Summary

Since God lacks a physical body, it is evident that he did not create us identical to himself. All else being equal, we are mirrors of God’s brilliance. There is a perception that our explanation, creativity, eloquence, and self-assurance are equivalent to God’s². Almost certainly, the likeness of God is mirrored in every facet of our individuality. Because God is our one-of-a-kind creator, it is impossible for us to ever be identical to him in every manner³. In any case, we can, in reality, reflect components of his personality through our displays of affection, tolerance, forgiveness, thoughtfulness, and resoluteness.

Kilner went above and above with his argument from a scripturally verified perspective by using a few sacred text references to demonstrate that the resemblance has not changed, been harmed, or lost due to the fall. He did so to establish the validity of his allegation. According to him, such convictions result not from a flawed translation that lacks scriptural credentials but rather from a fundamental dissociation between the Bible and contemporary educational practices.

Kilner uses a range of creators and sources, including himself, as the representative in the composition. Critiquing Kilner is an act of disobedience against the author’s conception of God’s resemblance. The method in which the fall occurred did not modify or alter the similarity between man and God. Individuals’ suffering is directly attributable to their failure to meet God’s expectations for them⁴. The repercussions of human error have no direct bearing on whether or not individuals are still individuals or continue to have any resemblance to God.

Critical Interaction

Kilner analyzes a variety of research methodologies as he establishes the basis for his argument. As one looks over his facts, he provides his readers with insightful questions and ideas to consider⁵. According to what Kilner has to say⁶, a look at several different biblical scriptures indicates that God establishes a status for humans while the image of Christ establishes a standard for humanity.

When trying to help Kilner, Millard J. Ericson explains occurrences to him by saying that Emil Bruner differentiates between two different notions of the image of God⁷: the formal and the material⁸. In order to provide further assistance, the creation narratives are not written expressly to answer the questions posed by modern scientists⁹. Attempting to discredit them as unscientific sooner or later are embarrassed by inevitable reversals of scientific opinion.

Researchers may be doing analysis the wrong way when we try to determine our status by analyzing how we are similar to God. It is easy to see why people would be interested in this business. If our status as the image of God depends on specific features, powers, or associations that are unique to us, then we are in some way able to claim credit for those aspects of ourselves¹⁰. Even if they were presented to us as gifts at one point, we could claim ownership of them now. However, the biblical scriptures never really get into the specifics of what it means to be created in the image of God or what humans are like to God. There is sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that this is not only a coincidence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kilner has provided a deft analysis of the discussion concerning the similarity by way of an in-depth evaluation of the validity of the claim that every single person is fashioned in the image of God. Accordingly, the findings of this study have brought clarity to the questions surrounding the fact that the image is rarely damaged, lost, or, on the other hand, degraded. A powerful boost to one’s sense of self-worth can be attained by first coming to terms with the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God and, as a result, take on many of his characteristics.

The value of a person is not contingent on their possessions, achievements, physical appeal, or the favour of others. It depends on whether or not humans were created in the image or likeness of God. We can have a positive outlook on ourselves since we are created in the image and likeness of God. Criticizing or minimizing ourselves is the same as critiquing what God has created in us and the abilities, he has endowed in us. The realization that we are people of worth enables one to cherish God better, get to know him on their own and make a substantial commitment to the people in their lives and the community at large.

Bibliography

Kilner, John F. “Humanity in God’s Image: is the Image Really Damaged?”Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 53, no. 3 (2010): 601. Web.

Mehlman, Elizabeth. “The Work and Faith of Theological Scholars: Converging Lessons from James 2 and Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation.”The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 22, no. 1 (2018): 97-109. Web.

Spencer, Mark K. “Perceiving the image of god in the whole human person.” The Saint Anselm Journal 13.2 (2018): 1-18. Web.

Teer, Torey JS. “The Perfector of All Divine Acts: The Holy Spirit and the Providence of God.” Bibliotheca sacra 177 (2020): 402-421.

Ware, kallistos. 2021. “‘In the Image and Likeness’: The Uniqueness of the Human Person.” Theological Anthropology, 500 Years after Martin Luther, 48–64.

Young, Lionel. “Review of Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.”Theological Librarianship 14, no. 2 (2021): 39-40. Web.

Footnotes

• 1 Kilner, John F. “Humanity in God’s Image: is the Image Really Damaged?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 53, no. 3 (2010): 601.
• 2 Ware, kallistos. 2021. “‘In the Image and Likeness’: The Uniqueness of the Human Person.” Theological Anthropology, 500 Years after Martin Luther, 48–64
• 3 Kilner 601
• 4 Kilner 601
• 5 Mehlman, Elizabeth. “The Work and Faith of Theological Scholars: Converging Lessons from James 2 and Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 22, no. 1 (2018): 97-109
• 6 Kilner 601
• 7 Kilner 601
• 8 Young, Lionel. “Review of Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.” Theological Librarianship 14, no. 2 (2021): 39-40
• 9 Teer, Torey JS. “The Perfector of All Divine Acts: The Holy Spirit and the Providence of God.” Bibliotheca sacra 177 (2020): 402-421
• 10 Spencer, Mark K. “Perceiving the image of god in the whole human person.” The Saint Anselm Journal 13.2 (2018): 1-18.