Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Mentor's Guide, MG16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

Psalm 8 is a classic statement of comparison between God and people. In verse 4 the psalmist’s question to God, “What are human beings” (RSV) was generated by his contemplation of the three realities of the inanimate creation, humanness and the divine. The reason the psalmist could even pose this question is that humans are image-bearers of God (Gen. 1.26–27) and are self-aware. Because of the imago Dei (“image of God”), the following comparisons can be discerned in Scripture. At the heart of the imago Dei is personality. God and humans can communicate intelligently together (Ps. 8; Isa. 6.8–13). Both can receive information (Gen. 1.28–30; Heb. 1.1–2), conceive thoughts (Gen. 2.19; 2.23) and process information (Isa. 1.18–20). Although God’s knowledge is limitless in accuracy and content (Rom. 11.33–34; Matt. 11.21–24), human knowledge is incomplete (1 Cor. 2.9; 13.12) at its best and twisted at its worst (Eph. 4.17–18). The affective dimension of God (Gen 6.6; Mt 25.21; 2 Cor 7.6) is always perfectly balanced and not dependent on anyone outside the triune Godhead for its completion (Hos. 11.8–9; Acts 17.25; John 17.24–26). God is the lover who never stops loving (Jer. 31.3; Hos. 11.1–9). Although humans can express noble emotions (Ps. 13.5–6; Mark 12.20–30; 2 Cor. 1.24–2.4; 2 John 4), their love often diminishes (Rev. 2.4), is prostituted by loving the evil (2 Tim. 3.2, 4) and rejoices in the wrong thing (Ps. 13.4; Mic. 3.2; 1 Cor. 13.6). They also give themselves to “degrading passions” (Rom. 1.26). God’s choices are always wise and right (Gen. 18.25; Isa. 10.13; Rom. 16.27), whereas human choices are often perverse (Rom. 1.32). Although there are some overlaps in the following, comparisons are also seen in such areas as character (Isa. 54.5; Hos. 3.1–3; Jer. 5.7, 8; 1 Pet. 1.14, 15), metaphors/similes (John 1.19; Isa. 1.6, 7; Luke 3.22; Matt. 10.16), familial relationships (Jer. 5.7, 8; 31.32; Eph. 5.28; Rev. 21.2) and occupational images (Ps. 23; Zech. 11.17; Matt. 13.55; John 10.11; 1 Cor. 3.5–17; Heb. 11.10; 1 Pet. 5.2). Although time- and space-bound image-bearers (Ps. 90.9–10; 139.7–9) do share some finite continuities with the eternal (Ps. 90.2), unlimited (Ps. 139.7–9), nondependent (Acts 17.25) God, they will always be dependent creatures (Gen. 1.27; Ps. 100.3) in need of other humans (Gen. 2.18), divine information (Matt. 4.4; 1 Cor. 2.6–9) and God himself (John 15.5, 11; 17.3; Ps. 16.5–11; 1 Cor. 6.17).

~ Leland Ryken. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery . (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. pp. 336-337.