The Image of God – Restoring the Divine Image

Main idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda talks about the restoration of the divine image in man, and asserts that full restoration will be in the world to come, while partial restoration is possible in this world through the right sacramental and spiritual life.

Spiritual means of restoration

The first means he mentions are the church sacraments: Baptism which represents the death of the old man and the birth of a new man in the image of God, and Repentance which restores the new life when a person sins after baptism. Then the Eucharist which establishes the believer in Christ and causes him to live in a holy manner.

Biblical and traditional emphases

He cites the epistles: Romans (about the new life and not conforming to this age) and Galatians (having put on Christ meaning putting on righteousness and holiness), and the Old Testament verses and commandments calling to holiness and perfection. He mentions historical examples of saints like Augustine and Moses the Black who restored their divine image by repentance and growing in God’s grace.

Practical Christian life images

He stresses that the goal is that people see the image of God in the believer through meekness, forgiveness of others, and patience with wrongdoers, and that this behavior indicates that the person has become a living image of God among people.