Embodied, Relational, Desiring, Vulnerable – Reconsidering Imago Dei

Abstract

SummaryGod is always experienced in the mode of representations. The fundamental representation of God is Jesus Christ, the true image of God. In order to specify this designation further, with reference to all of humanity, it is suggested that the basic features of such representation can be identified in the features of desire and vulnerability, as manifestations of interconnectedness and dependence. These features are not only expressing themselves as that with which humans need to come to terms, but they also manifest the deeply relational character of humanity and its internal connection to goodness. They also make it possible to specify further how God and the human being are intrinsically connected, and make it possible to see why love is so important in the realization of imago Dei: It is love that secures that both desire and vulnerability can contribute to human flourishing, and thus precludes sin from manifesting itself.

Toward A Christian Maternal Feminist Theology

“…118 Humanity's natural receptiveness and responsiveness, our ability to affect and be affected by others, constitute our vulnerability. 119 Culp writes of the potential suggested here: "'Openness' suggests both the capacity for being transformed and a place of devastation or transformation." 120 Anderson concludes that those willing to acknowledge their vulnerability live more openly, leading to enhanced lives, mirroring Brown's work in this area.…”

Vulnerabilidad humana y el uso del término “adultos vulnerables” ante los abusos eclesiales a mayores de edad

“…Por otro lado, la teología reciente de la imago Dei pone el énfasis en la relacionalidad de Dios y su vínculo indisoluble con el ser humano. De formas variadas, tanto W. Pannenberg como D. Kelsey ven esta imagen de Dios en el ser humano ligada a su apertura al mundo, a los demás y a aquello que lo trasciende 31 . Dios también aparece como realidad trascendente pero relacional, porque, aunque no puede ser experiencia empírica sino siempre mediada, hay una relación necesaria entre Dios y el mundo 32 .…”