From the Chaplains

Created, and Creating, in the image of God

This term in chapel, we continue to explore the idea of what it means to be created ‘in the image of God’. It is a phrase and a concept that has intrigued people of faith and theologians for thousands of years.

In chapter 1 of Genesis we are told:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness” …

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

An ‘image’ is a reflection; a likeness.

This is an astonishing concept – that we are made in the likeness of the Creator. The One who has spoken and breathed life into the whole creation.

Who continues to create, to make things new.

We have spoken in chapel about how our scientific understanding of millions of years of evolution and our understanding of a Creator can easily exist side by side. The Genesis narrative, and other creation stories in the Scriptures, teach us again and again that we are purposefully and carefully made. We are not random, or an accident.

Our lives have meaning and a purpose.

And one of the most wonderful things about being made in God’s image is that, just like the Creator, we are creative!

Even if you don’t think you’re a creative person, you were made in the likeness of the supremely creative God.

Whether you like to bake or create delicious meals, whether you can solve complex equations, or find new ways of using building materials, or imagine new games to play with your children or grandchildren … this is all an expression of our God-given creativity.

Below are some examples of our students’ and others’ beautiful creativity – just a tiny snapshot of all the wonderful things that are created every day here at school.

Let’s celebrate this God-given creativity in ourselves and in each other, and remember that it is a powerful and joyful sign that each one of us is made in God’s image.