The Essence of Being Made in the Image of God and the Distinction Between Humans and Angels

As a Catholic, one of the most profound teachings is the concept that humans are created in the image and likeness of God. This article explores the significance of this teaching, including why angels, despite their higher intellect and free will, are not made in the same way as humans.

Understanding the Image and Likeness of God

The biblical verse Genesis 1:26 states, “Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground.” This verse underscores the unique relationship between God and humans. But what does it truly mean to be made in the image and likeness of God?

According to Catholic tradition, being made in the image of God means that humans possess certain attributes that reflect God’s being and nature. These attributes include free will, the ability to reason, a moral sense, and a desire to create and love. However, it is important to note that this concept is not unique to humans. Angels, as purely spiritual beings, are also created in the image and likeness of God. Nevertheless, their creation differs from that of humans in a significant way.

Angels in the Image of God

Angels, as explained by St. Thomas Aquinas, are purely spiritual creatures. In his treatise, he argues that God, who is not material, must create purely intellectual and volitional creatures to complete the perfection of the universe. This means that angels, with their intellect and will, are created in a unique way not shared by humans. Angels are intellects without bodies, which gives them a higher intellectual capacity compared to humans. Their spiritual nature allows them to think and act without the need for physical senses or images.

The Human-angelic Distinction

One key difference between humans and angels is that humans are composite beings, both corporeal and spiritual. Animals, on the other hand, are wholly corporeal. This distinction underscores the special place of humans in God's creation. While angels have the ability to think and act with a perfect intellect, humans have the unique opportunity to experience and understand the world through the senses, which allows them to develop empathy and love for others.

Scriptural Insights

The biblical passage in Genesis 1:26-27 sheds light on the concept of being made in the image of God. The term ’ādām, used in the Hebrew text, refers to humanity in its totality. The phrase “in our image, after our likeness” emphasizes the worth of human beings, as they are created to reflect God’s glory and nature. This reflection is not just in our intellect or moral sense, but in our very essence as persons. The verse in Genesis 5:3 further reinforces this idea, stating that Adam’s son was “in his own likeness after his image.” This suggests that every person, when they come to know and reflect God’s nature, can find their true identity.

The Spiritual Pursuit of Becoming Like Christ

In the Catholic tradition, the image of God in humans is the aspiration to become like Christ, the perfect reflection of God’s nature. St. Thomas Aquinas’s reference to angels as purely intellectual beings without bodily senses highlights the concept that perfection in God’s image can be achieved through both the spiritual and the corporeal. While angels are in a state of spiritual perfection, humans are in a process of becoming that perfection through the grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The image of God is a central concept in Catholic theology, representing the unique relationship between God and humanity. While angels are created in the image and likeness of God, their creation differs from humans due to their purely spiritual nature. This distinction highlights the unique role of humans in God’s creation, as beings who possess both the ability to experience the world and the capacity to reflect God’s glory.

Understanding these concepts helps us to live in closer harmony with our Creator and to strive towards becoming the perfect image of Christ. In this way, we can fulfill the divine purpose for which we were created.