Dignity and Destiny: Humanity in the Image of God – Evangelical Theological Society

Kilner, John. Dignity and Destiny: Humanity in the Image of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.

Documents how misunderstandings of God’s image have caused great devastation throughout history.
Interacts via extensive footnotes with over 1100 writings that discuss the image of God.
Discusses in detail all biblical references to the image of God.
Explains why being in God’s image/likeness doesn’t mean that people have certain traits, abilities, or capacities that are like those of God or unlike those of animals.
Shows why the popular idea that God’s image has been damaged by sin should be avoided.
Demonstrates how locating Christ at the center of what God’s image means brings much clarity.
Finds the essence of God’s image to involve connection with God and reflection of God.
Clarifies the biblical difference between being God’s image (which Christ is) and being in God’s image (which people are).
Explains how humanity’s creation and renewal in God’s image are central to human dignity and human destiny.
Demonstrates that a sound understanding of God’s image can have a tremendously liberating impact in the world.