Anthony A. Hoekema's " Created in God’s Image " is widely considered a foundational text in Reformed theological anthropology. It explores the "Imago Dei"—the biblical teaching that humans are created in the image of God—through historical, scriptural, and practical lenses. Core Theological Themes
Hoekema presents a "holistic dualism," rejecting views that see humans as only physical or only spiritual. He instead advocates for the psychosomatic unity of the human person (body and soul as one).
The book outlines four stages of the image of God in humanity: Original Image: The state of humanity as first created.
Perverted Image: The distortion of the image due to the Fall and sin.
Renewed Image: The restoration beginning through redemption in Christ.
Perfected Image: The final state of humanity in the future glory. Critical Highlights
Structure vs. Function: Hoekema argues the image has both a structural aspect (our capacities like reason and morality) and a functional aspect (our relationships toward God, others, and nature).
Self-Image: He provides a notable critique of "self-esteem," preferring the term "self-image" to avoid the pitfalls of self-worship while affirming our value as God's image-bearers.
Scholarly Balance: Reviewers from The Gospel Coalition and other theological blogs praise the book for its fair treatment of opposing views and its heavy reliance on over 250 historical and biblical resources. Accessing the Work
While the book is protected by copyright, several platforms provide legal previews or scholarly access:
Previews and Full Versions: You can find digital copies and partial previews on Scribd and Academia.edu.
Retail: Physical and digital editions are available via major retailers like Amazon. Created in God's Image | PDF - Scribd
Introduction
"Created in God's Image" is a theological book written by Anthony Hoekema, a Reformed theologian and pastor. The book was first published in 1986 and has since become a classic in the field of Christian theology. In this guide, we will explore the main themes and ideas presented in Hoekema's book, which focuses on the biblical concept of humanity being created in the image of God.
Overview of the Book
The book is divided into 12 chapters, each exploring a different aspect of what it means to be created in God's image. Hoekema begins by discussing the biblical basis for the concept, examining the relevant passages in Genesis 1-2. He then explores the implications of being created in God's image, including the nature of humanity, the relationship between men and women, and the significance of human culture.
Chapter 1: The Biblical Basis
In the first chapter, Hoekema establishes the biblical foundation for the concept of being created in God's image. He examines Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, and other relevant passages, highlighting the unique aspects of human creation. Hoekema argues that the phrase "image of God" (imago Dei) implies that humanity bears a special resemblance to God, reflecting God's character and attributes.
Chapter 2: The Nature of the Image
Hoekema discusses the nature of the image of God in humanity, exploring various theories and interpretations. He argues that the image is not just a functional or relational concept, but also an ontological one, meaning that it is an inherent part of human nature. Hoekema also explores the distinction between the "image" and the "likeness" of God, suggesting that the image refers to the structural aspects of humanity, while the likeness refers to the dynamic, relational aspects.
Chapter 3: The Implications of Being Created in God's Image
In this chapter, Hoekema explores the implications of being created in God's image. He argues that this concept has significant consequences for our understanding of human nature, dignity, and purpose. Hoekema also discusses the relationship between men and women, highlighting the egalitarian implications of being created in God's image.
Chapter 4: The Relationship Between Men and Women
Hoekema dedicates a chapter to exploring the relationship between men and women in the context of being created in God's image. He argues that both men and women are created in God's image, with equal dignity and worth. Hoekema critiques hierarchical views of gender relationships, advocating for a more egalitarian understanding of male-female relationships.
Chapter 5: Human Culture and the Image of God
In this chapter, Hoekema explores the relationship between human culture and the image of God. He argues that human culture is an expression of the image of God, as humans create and build in ways that reflect God's character. Hoekema also discusses the diversity of human cultures, highlighting the importance of respecting and valuing different cultural expressions.
Chapter 6: The Image of God and Human Work
Hoekema examines the relationship between the image of God and human work. He argues that work is an essential aspect of human life, reflecting God's character and creative activity. Hoekema also explores the concept of "dominion" in Genesis 1:28, highlighting the responsibility that comes with being created in God's image.
Chapter 7: The Image of God and Human Identity
In this chapter, Hoekema explores the relationship between the image of God and human identity. He argues that being created in God's image provides a foundation for understanding human identity, dignity, and self-worth. Hoekema also discusses the impact of sin on human identity, highlighting the need for redemption and restoration.
Chapter 8: The Image of God and Ethics
Hoekema examines the implications of being created in God's image for ethics and morality. He argues that the image of God provides a basis for understanding moral principles and values, such as justice, compassion, and love. Hoekema also discusses the importance of respecting human life and dignity, particularly in the areas of bioethics and social justice.
Chapter 9: The Image of God and Christology
In this chapter, Hoekema explores the relationship between the image of God and Christology. He argues that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is the perfect image of God, reflecting God's character and attributes. Hoekema also discusses the implications of Christ's image for our understanding of humanity and salvation.
Chapter 10: The Image of God and Soteriology
Hoekema examines the implications of being created in God's image for soteriology, the study of salvation. He argues that the image of God provides a basis for understanding the purpose and nature of salvation, particularly in relation to the redemption of humanity.
Chapter 11: The Image of God and Eschatology created in god 39s image hoekema pdf free
In this chapter, Hoekema explores the implications of being created in God's image for eschatology, the study of the end times. He argues that the image of God provides a basis for understanding the ultimate restoration of humanity and creation, particularly in relation to the new heaven and the new earth.
Conclusion
In the final chapter, Hoekema summarizes the main themes and ideas presented in the book. He emphasizes the significance of being created in God's image, highlighting the implications for our understanding of human nature, dignity, and purpose.
Free PDF Resources
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Additional Resources
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While Anthony Hoekema's Created in God's Image is a copyrighted work and not legally available for free download as a full PDF, you can find significant excerpts, academic summaries, and study guides on platforms like ResearchGate
Below is a structured "paper" summarizing the core theological arguments and structure of Hoekema's work, which serves as a foundational text in Reformed theological anthropology. Eerdmans Publishing Co Summary of Created in God's Image by Anthony Hoekema 1. Core Thesis: The Imago Dei
Hoekema argues that being created in God's image is the central defining characteristic of humanity. He defines this "image" in two primary ways:
: Humans are designed to reflect God’s nature, character, and glory to the rest of creation. Representing
: Like an ambassador, humanity is called to represent God's authority and advance His program on earth. The Gospel Coalition 2. Structural vs. Functional Aspects
A key contribution of Hoekema is his distinction between the structural functional aspects of the image: Structural : What a human (possessing gifts like reason, morality, and language). Functional : What a human (acting in love toward God and others).
Hoekema maintains that while sin severely damaged the functional aspect, the structural image remains—though perverted—rendering humanity still accountable to God. Logos Bible 3. The Four Stages of the Image Hoekema traces the through the lens of redemptive history: The Original Image : Humanity as created in perfection. The Perverted Image : The image distorted, but not lost, after the Fall. The Renewed Image
: The ongoing restoration of the image in believers through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Perfected Image
: The final state of believers in glorification, where they will perfectly reflect God. 4. The Threefold Relationship
Hoekema posits that the image of God is expressed through a human's relationship to: : Absolute dependence and worship. : Living in community and love. : Exercising stewardship and dominion over the earth. Resources for Further Study Full Summary & Review : Detailed theological breakdowns are available on The Gospel Coalition TGC Review Brandon's Desk Brandon's Desk Review Academic Previews : You can view partial segments and table of contents on Logos Bible Software Logos Product Page ) or read uploaded summaries on , such as his views on the nature of sin unity of the person Hoekema, Anthony (Created in God - S Image) | PDF - Scribd
Anthony Hoekema’s Created in God’s Image (1986) is a seminal work in Reformed theological anthropology. It moves beyond abstract definitions of the Anthony A
to present it as a dynamic, relational, and historical reality.
While free PDF versions of the full copyrighted book are not typically available via legal retailers like Westminster Bookstore
, you can often find scholarly previews and summaries on platforms like Academia.edu Core Theological Framework
Hoekema defines being "created in God’s image" through two primary metaphors: man as a representative The Gospel Coalition
: Humans are designed to reflect the attributes and glory of God to the rest of creation. Representative
: Like an ambassador, humanity is called to act on God's behalf, exercising stewardship and advancing His program for the world. The Gospel Coalition The Four Stages of the Image
Hoekema argues that the image of God is not a static quality but a journey through redemptive history: Original Image
: The state of humanity as created in perfect harmony with God. Perverted Image : Following the Fall, the image is distorted by sin but
. Humans remain image-bearers, though their reflection of God is now twisted. Renewed Image
: Through redemption in Christ, the image is progressively restored in believers. Perfected Image
: The final state of glorification where believers will perfectly image God. Logos Bible Key Anthropological Dimensions
Hoekema rejects views that reduce humans to just physical parts or just a soul. Instead, he presents a The Gospel Coalition Review: 'Created in God's Image' by Anthony A. Hoekema
| Chapter | Topic | |---------|-------| | 1 | Humans as image-bearers – biblical terms (tselem, demuth) | | 2 | Historical views (Augustine, Calvin, Barth) | | 3 | The image as structural, functional, and relational | | 4 | The fall and the perverted image (not erased but distorted) | | 5 | Redemption in Christ – the image restored | | 6 | The eschatological future – perfected image in resurrection | | 7 | Practical implications: ethics, work, gender, society |
Searching for "Created in God's Image Hoekema PDF free" is a common entry point for theology students, pastors, and lay Christians diving into the study of theological anthropology. Anthony A. Hoekema’s book Created in God’s Image (Eerdmans, 1986) remains a gold standard for Reformed perspectives on what it means to be human.
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Hoekema argues that the "image of God" is not something human beings have, but something they are. He rejects the older theological distinction (common in medieval theology) that separated the "image" (narrower, referring to rationality) from the "likeness" (broader, referring to ethical righteousness). Instead, Hoekema asserts that these terms in Genesis 1:26-27 are synonymous, describing the total human being.
He categorizes the image of God into two dimensions:
Introduction
The doctrine of the Imago Dei—the belief that human beings are created in the image of God—is one of the most profound and distinguishing tenets of Christian anthropology. Among the most influential modern treatments of this subject is found in the writings of theologian Anthony A. Hoekema, particularly in his seminal book Created in God’s Image (1986).
Hoekema, a systematic theology professor at Calvin Theological Seminary, approaches the subject with a blend of biblical exegesis, Reformed theology, and practical application. His work serves as a corrective to both overly narrow theological views and secular devaluations of human worth. This article outlines the core arguments of Hoekema’s perspective on what it means to be made in God's image.