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| Vitruvian Man |
'Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our own image, in our own likeness so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them.' Genesis 1:26 -27
The Vitruvian Man is a drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci dated 1490. He wanted to draw a man with perfect proportions and placed the naked figure with arms and and legs outstretched inscribed within both a circle and a square. He was inspired by the notion of the ideal human figure first conceptualised by the Roman architect, Vitruvius.
The Renaissance artists, Raphael, Leonardo, Botticelli, Da Vinci and others, in their paintings and sculptures, contrived to depict men and women as beautiful, perfect human beings. That inspiration produced many works of art; these monumental representations of the creative Italian Renaissance and its celebration of man.
These artists were influenced by the popular philosophy of their day, which promoted the primacy of Man. That philosophy gave rise to Humanism, a belief that placed man at the centre of the universe. Humanism is a secular view of life that affirms that we humans have the right, responsibility to give shape and meaning to life outside of any notion and influence of God. It is wholly man-centred and sought to define man and the universe from human discovery, knowledge and science instead of revelation from supernatural sources.
It gave birth to the idea of the Renaissance Man, a thinker, who has grappled with the questions Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? and who rests in thinking that humans have the answers to these questions outside of God.
The 2023 Keswick Convention addressed these same questions. In stark contrast to humanism the take home message of this year's Keswick teaching is quite the opposite, 'Don't forge your own identity. Discover what God has in store for you.'
The Convention elaborated on the doctrine Imago Dei, found on the first page of the Bible. God declared, "Let us make mankind in our own image in our likeness." From creation God made His vision and purpose for humankind, absolutely clear. The Convention explored what it means to be created in God's image, how it is to be lived out, how this truth is being challenged and how this sin-marred image is renewed in Jesus Christ.
Three core truths were iterated by Rev Jeremy McQuoid, the current chair of Keswick Ministries, in the message entitled, 'Image Bearers.'
- God created us with dignity. The creation of mankind is treated differently from the rest of creation. Mankind was created at the apex of all creation on the sixth day, after God created all physical elements, nature and all living things. The narrative in Genesis 1 changes from the third person to the first person 'Let us' and in the plural, referring to the Holy Trinity at creation. This is the value God places on the creation of man and woman
'Let us make mankind in our own image in our likeness.' Genesis 1:26a
- God gave us Authority. God told man to subdue the earth. We are to explore, discover and exploit it but as caretakers, not destroyers of the earth. We have a mandate to look after the earth.
'God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and every living creature that moves on the ground."
- God destined us for Glory. Creation was very good when God made it. Even though it is marred by the fall there is still much beauty in creation, so much of its original glory for us to enjoy. In the mandate to caretake the earth, God gave us the privilege of looking after this marvellous creation. After this, we can look forward to a glorious new heaven and new earth.
'God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.' Genesis 1:31
This is God's plan, His grand design and it is very good. So why would the humanist think otherwise? In defining what it takes to be a man, the humanist preferred to leave God out of the picture. They fall into a trap as old as the hills, the trap of the original sin, the trap to be like God,
"You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5
When man disregard God and think the world of ourselves, there is no more standards, no more restrictions. St Paul said that there is no fear of God in their eyes. This accounts for man's loss of his humanity and dignity,
'All have turned away, they have altogether become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.' Romans 3:10-18
This is the outcome when we try to establish our own identity such as the humanist try to do, it will lead to confusion, chaos even evil.
In The Image Of God,
We Were Made Long Ago,
With The Purpose Divine,
Here His Glory To Show;
But We Failed Him One Day,
And Like Sheep Went Astray,
Thinking Not Of The Cost,
We His Likeness Had Lost.
But From Eternity God Had In Mind,
The Work Of Calvary, The Lost To Find,
From His Heaven So Broad,
Christ Came Down Earth To Trod,
So That Men Might Live Again,
In The Image Of God.
Now That I Have Believed,
And The Saviour Received,
Now That I From The Cry,
Of My Guilt Am Relieved,
I Will Live For The Lord,
Not For Gain Nor Reward,
But For Love, Thinking Of What,
His Grace Has Restored!
I’ll Never Comprehend Redemption’s Plan,
How Christ Could Condescend To Die For Man
Such A Saviour I’ll Praise,
To The End Of My Days,
As A Upward, Onward Trod,
In The Image Of God.
Lionel
Ref: The lectures dealing with Imago Dei at the convention can be found in this website (Click on Imago Dei).
