Subversive From the Beginning

In creation accounts from different ancient religions, it was common for people to be made in God’s image. The big difference between those accounts and the Genesis 1 account is WHO was made in God’s image.

In other ancient societies it was the king and the king alon, who was made in God’s image. You can imagine how this would play out in society, right? With the king being the only one made in God’s image, it gave him unquestioned authority and meant that they were treated with great honor and care.

With that in mind, read the creation passage from Genesis 1, noting who is made in the image of God and all the phrases about authority:

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. - Genesis 1:26

Can you feel the subversive theology exuding from this passage? We’re ALL made in God’s image - not just the king! We ALL (together with each other) have authority - not just the king! And therefore we ALL are to be treated with honor and care.

Let this sink in today, and ask what the Spirit is saying to you as you ponder being made in the image of God yourself and as you ponder all other humans being made in the image of God.