Image and Likeness of God
As taught in the Eastern Orthodox tradition
Defining the ontological 'image' and the vocational 'likeness' in human nature.
Within the Orthodox tradition, the question of human existence is not merely a matter of biological origin or psychological composition, but a profound ontological mystery rooted in the life of the Holy Trinity. The subtopic of the "Image and Likeness of God" answers the most fundamental question of the human condition: What does it mean to be human? In Orthodoxy, to be human is to be a liturgical being, a "microcosm" and a "mediator" between the created and uncreated realms. This doctrine is not a static definition of human "attributes" but a dynamic description of human "destiny." It establishes that the human person is essentially a "theotropic" being—naturally oriented toward God.
By the end of this lesson
- **Distinguish** between the "Image" (eikon) as a fundamental human endowment and the "Likeness" (homoiosis) as a dynamic process of growth toward God.
- **Identify** the Christological basis of human anthropology, explaining why Christ is the "Archetype" according to which man was made.
- **Articulate** the Orthodox view of the "Fall," specifically how the image of God was tarnished or obscured but never entirely destroyed.
- **Explain** the role of the *Nous* (the spiritual intellect) as the primary seat of the divine image within the human person.
- **Trace** the historical development of this doctrine from St. Irenaeus of Lyons through the Cappadocian Fathers to St. Philaret of Moscow.
- **Defend** the inherent sanctity and dignity of every human being, regardless of their state of sin or disability, based on the persistence of the divine image.
- **Apply** the concept of *Theosis* to daily Christian life, demonstrating how the pursuit of the "likeness" transforms one’s prayer, ethics, and social interactions.
- **Compare** the Orthodox understanding of the image with Western concepts such as "Total Depravity" or the "Donum Superadditum," highlighting the unique Eastern emphasis on synergy.
Scripture
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