1. Dominion - we reflect the image of God because God gave us dominion over creation. We are stewards of God's creation. This sets us apart from all other creatures.
2. Relationship - The Bible says that we were created male and female. The fact that we were created as male & female is analogous to the relationship that exists within the Trinity
3. Substantive - this view says that there is something inherent within us that makes us reflect "the image of God". Some believe that our physical bodies reflect God (Mormons hold this view). Others believe that our moral capacity is what separates us from the other creatures in God's creation. Other aspects that fit into this category would be the fact that man can create, we have a Spirit as does God, and we have the ability to reason.

I believe that the Substantive view is probably the most likely. I don't think the Mormon view that we reflect God as a physical being is Biblical though. However, I think that what separates us from animals (and therefore gives us the ability to reflect God's image) is the following:

• We have a spirit that can relate to God. It's been debated that animals also have spirits. Even if this is true, animals do not have the ability to enjoy fellowship with God as men do.
• We have the ability to reason and create.
• We have a moral capacity to know right and wrong.
• In addition, we can reflect the communicable attributes of God. We can demonstrate love, grace, mercy, kindness and faithfulness to others.
• We have an emotional makeup that is much more complex than animals.
• We can experience the joy and depth of human relationships and we can clearly communicate with one another on an emotional level

Other reasons could be cited but this list will do.

 

A common definition for sin that has been promoted is "selfishness". Though it is true that much sin is rooted in selfishness, this definition is somewhat incomplete.

Several ideas are communicated in the Bible to characterize sin. Among them are the ideas of transgression, which basically means to cross a line. Another idea communicated is the idea of "missing the mark". "Iniquity" is a term that means to deviate from a right course. Another common idea that characterizes sin is the idea of rebellion.

Putting all these ideas together, a short definition of sin is:

Any action or attitude that violates the commands or the character of God.

This is an important question, affecting not only your view of mankind but also your view of man's need.

Liberal theology says that man is born basically good or neutral, but that man is affected negatively by society. Therefore, liberal theology tends to emphasize social change rather than individual regeneration.

Similarly, Pelagianism (based on Pelagius, a British contemporary of Augustine) says that man is born with a good nature and the ability to freely choose right. This view was rejected as heresy because it diminished man's need for a Savior. In this view, it was possible for man to come to God on his own merit apart from the need for a savior.

The Biblical view is that man is born with a sin nature that gives him a tendency to sin. This sin nature is what causes us to sin. In other words, we sin because we're sinners. We're not sinners because we sin. These two statements seem similar but there is a difference, which though subtle, makes a big difference. In the first sentence, we are sinners because we have a sin nature. Thus we sin because it's our nature. In the second statement, we are labeled sinners only when we sin. Thus, if one could avoid sinning, he would not be a "sinner". The Bible clearly affirms that we are born with a sin nature, hence we're sinners by nature.

David said in Psalm 51:5: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. "Similarly, in Psalm 58:3, David said, "the wicked go astray from the womb, they err from their birth, speaking lies." Paul agrees in Ephesians 2:3 where he says, "we are by nature children of wrath."

Some think of the term original sin as referring to the first sin of Adam and Eve. This is not an accurate representation of the term. The term "original sin" usually refers to the inherited sin nature within man. Wayne Grudem has alternately referred to it as "inherited sin" because it refers to the inherited sin nature that all men have as a result of the sin of Adam.