The Goal of All of God’s Ways: Man as the Image of God

Abstract

Krause examines humanity’s creation in the image of God as the organizing purpose of God’s work in creation, redemption, and final restoration. Beginning with contemporary pursuits of self-improvement, he interprets human striving as evidence of a lost purpose that divine revelation alone can explain. Through biblical interpretation and engagement with Lutheran and other Christian theologians, he distinguishes the image of God in its narrow sense—knowledge of God, righteousness, and holiness—from a broader sense encompassing human capacities and likenesses to God. He argues that the fall completely destroyed humanity’s original righteousness while leaving corrupted remnants of other God-given capacities. This distinction supports discussion of human dignity, moral responsibility, dominion over creation, and contemporary technological aspirations without diminishing humanity’s total spiritual inability or need for Christ. The essay presents Christ as the perfect image of God who restores sinners through his saving work and the means of grace. It concludes by distinguishing believers’ present standing before God, their ongoing struggle against sin, and the complete restoration of God’s image in the new creation.

Abstract created by GPT-6.1 Sol.