Foundational Issues in a Theology of Sex: Imago Dei

We saw yesterday that a theology of sex does not start with us. Like all things the subject of sex must start with God. But even as we shift our focus to ourselves, building a theology of sex does not start where we might think (i.e. south of the border, so to speak). Rather we must go much deeper into the very nature of man if we are going to draw right conclusions about our sexuality. So, a second foundational issue in building a theology of sex is what theologians call the Imago Dei (image of God). Being made in the image of God must shape how we view our sexuality or we will be doomed to accept any number of false assumptions about human sexuality.

Two common views of human sexuality suggest (1) that to be fully human we must have a plethora of sexual experiences, and (2) that our inherent sexuality is irrelevant to our personhood. Both views fail to wrestle with the Biblical picture and especially with the Imago Dei. Throughout this forthcoming series on a Theology of Sex I want to touch on these subjects and expose their failures, but if we don’t start with a clear understanding of man’s being made in the Image of God we will never get past these faulty conclusions. The reason the Imago Dei is so important is because it articulates our purpose on earth, and assures us of dignity. These two things will, in the future, shape how we relate to and engage in sex.

The Imago Dei is not always easy to explicate. Theologians have posited various ideas behind what the Bible says when it says that man was made in the image of God. Does it refer to man’s relational identity, his intelligence, his freedom, his creativity, his emotions, or all of these things? Nonetheless, most theologians agree that the text makes at least one obvious connection between the Imago Dei and man’s functional purpose as God’s representatives on earth. Here’s what the text of Genesis 1, in regards to this, says:

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  ²⁸ And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28)

Here we understand that at least we may say that the Image of God in man means his functional role as God’s representatives on earth, to rule over and have dominion. The Cultural Mandate, as it is often called, is inherent in what it means to be made in God’s image. This is important to grasp because it gives us a purpose for existence that not only goes beyond but in fact supersedes our sexuality.

While Christians need to readily admit and welcome the reality that sex and sexuality are a part of what it means to be human, we must also acknowledge that they do not encapsulate all that we are. For being made in the image of God we have a purpose far greater than procreation or orgasm. We exist to exalt the King of the universe. In fact we might readily point to the reality that Jesus, as the perfect man, does not experience sex. His life is more than sexuality and so is ours.

The second key to this doctrine is that it grants an inherent dignity to all people. The real danger of pornography is that it promotes a view of people which is degrading, debasing, and demeaning. It compels users to view people as objects, animals, and play things and not as those who are made in the image of the God of the universe. Yes, the Fall has deeply affected and polluted this image, but it has not been destroyed. And God has serious warnings for us in regards to how we view, use, and abuse His image in man. In Genesis 9:6 we read, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” The principle seems clearly to be indicating that we must treat our fellow human beings with respect and dignity due them, for they too are made in the very image of God almighty.

Sexual acts, then, that compromise this image, devalue it, or ignore that image in man are serious offenses in God’s book. Our sex must take this into account if it is to be Biblical and right. God sets the boundaries and one of those boundaries is the inherent worth and dignity of all men and women.

If we start here, the image of God, we can avoid some very dangerous pitfalls in the future building of our theology of sex. We acknowledge that God is creator and ruler of sex, and we acknowledge that according to His design sex is both valuable and yet not the epitome of existence. We also learn that sex must carefully protect and promote the Imago Dei. This is how we can begin to glorify God in our sex.