Angels and the Image of God

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Recently, in response to a commentary about UAP’s, Aliens, and the Demonic, several people wrote in about the claim that angels are not made in the image of God as humans are. Though the Bible speaks of angels, it never states that angels are made in God’s image. In fact, there’s no reason to think that they are.

Genesis 1 plainly emphasizes that humans are made in God’s image, repeating the point several times in just two verses. The description offers a contrast between humans and everything else God made. In this very first mention of humanity in Scripture, humans are created and set apart for the unique and special task of filling and subduing the earth. The task and the title of image bearer are described together.

Angels were not given this task. They are described as assisting humans in this task, and they clearly were made to serve God as soldiers and messengers. In other words, angels and human beings were created for distinct purposes.

Psalm 8 offers further description in poetic form. It describes God’s generosity to humanity, specifically their unique placement in the cosmic hierarchy: “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” The Psalmist then compares humanity to “heavenly beings” and notes that man is made “a little lower” than angels yet is “crowned with glory and honor.” Further, it says that God has “put all things under his feet.” That contrast is an important point. Human beings have greater dignity than angels, but not because we are more powerful. We are not. Our value lies elsewhere.

Comparatively, we know far less about angels than about humans. Angels appear in Scripture about 300 times, but the details are vague. The safest thing to assume is that angels are intimidating since they often appear by saying, “Be not afraid!” The Bible does not portray angels as intimidated by human beings, nor as the naked little chubby creatures of pop art.

Angles are not portrayed as mental projections of guilt or conscience, but as specific persons with names, tasks, and wills. Angels are also portrayed as curious. In I Peter 1:12, the Apostle says that human salvation is something “into which angels long to look.”

Many point to the mental and physical capacities of angels as suggesting that they bear God’s image, as humans do. However, the image of God shouldn’t be reduced to what we are capable of doing. After all, if our dignity is dependent on our capacity, what happens if the ability is lost by illness or disability? Do infants and dementia patients lack the image of God, and therefore dignity? No.

The consistent theme throughout Scripture is that human beings are uniquely the object of God’s attention and love, more so than angels, even though we have fewer abilities than they do.

Beyond what we can do, being made in God’s image is who we are. Our value is not earned or expressed. It is intrinsic. It is endowed. It is not a trait or an ability; thus, we cannot lose it, nor can it be taken away.

The creation account in Genesis has also been described as offering a Temple motif. In it, God places Adam and Eve, His image, at the center of the Garden, a place where God and man would commune as one. This Temple theme continues throughout the Old Testament to Revelation.

Angels serve God, but God came in human form. Christ was incarnate as a human male, and humans make up His Bride. All of this is because humans bear God’s image. Angels do not.

Related Podcast Episode: Angels, Demons & UFO's with Billy Hallowell

In today's episode, Becket Cook sits down with investigative journalist Billy Hollowell (CBN News / Faithwire) to discuss his powerful new documentary, Investigating the Supernatural: Angels and Demons. They explore why the battle between angels and demons feels more intense than ever according to Ephesians 6, Hugh Ross’s perspective on UFOs and alien abductions showing demonic characteristics, Dr. Richard Gallagher’s shocking “Julia” possession case that convinced a skeptic, miraculous angelic protection stories including a near-miss explosion in Israel, and the growing need for the church to address supernatural realities today. If this episode helped you, follow The Becket Cook Show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Ana Bórquez

John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 – 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go.