Image and Likeness

Dr. Gerry Crete, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT

September 17, 2024

“He has persuaded us to be artisans of God’s likeness, to the end that we received the due recompense of our labour, that we not be as inert objects out of the artist’s and, and that the result of our likeness not turn to the praise of another. Indeed, when you see a portrait that conforms to the model exactly, you do not praise the portrait, but rather you admire the painter. And then, so that I might be the object of admiration and not another. He has left it to my care to become God’s likeness. Verily, I possess rational being by means of the image, and I become the likeness by becoming Christian.” -St. Basil the Great (On the Origin of Man, I.16)

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St. Basil the Great was one of the Cappadocian Fathers who lived in the 4th century and helped define Christian orthodoxy, especially against Arianism. St. Basil the Great was also declared a Doctor of the Church. Here we see St. Basil making a distinction between God’s image and God’s likeness in man. The idea here is that God’s image is inherent in man’s nature while God’s likeness is something that is not yet fully realized. There is a foundation, but it must be developed. The image is fulfilled in the likeness.

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This idea makes sense in relation to the self-system. The inmost self best reflects the image of God. It correlates with the “eye of the soul” or the “true self.” It expresses Schwartz’s 8 C’s: compassion, calm, creativity, confidence, clarity, curiosity, connection, and courage. The theological virtues of faith, hope, and love flow from the inmost self. Meanwhile, the parts represent a potentiality. They are subject to change. They can be burdened and blend with the self. They can carry negative emotions, memories, thoughts, and beliefs. As we heal, as the inmost self engages in communion with the parts of the self-system, the parts become more and more sanctified. As the whole self-system works together in harmony, it begins to reflect God’s likeness more and more.

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It is natural to man to be like God because we are created in His image. This capacity is realized and perfected as we grow in virtue. God’s grace works through our inmost self which then flows to our parts as we heal past wounds, exchange lies for truth, and grow in love for self, for others, and for God.

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Time for Personal Recollection:

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I invite you to a moment of recollection. This is a prayerful calling to mind of all your parts, becoming aware of the inmost self, our deep spiritual center, and opening of your heart to God’s presence.

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1701/1702) says the following: “Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light his exalted vocation.” It is in Christ, “the image of the invisible God,” that man has been created “in the image and likeness” of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the divine image, disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God. The divine image is present in every man. It shines forth in the communion of persons, in the likeness of the unity of the divine persons among themselves.

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St. John the Evangelist says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3). As we allow our inmost self to understand, care for, love, heal, and unburden our parts, we become more and more like Christ. Without losing our own unique individuality, all the parts of the self-system are transformed by His love flowing through us.

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St. Gregory of Nyssa makes it clear that this transformation is a process. The image of God is inherent to our nature, at our core we are attracted to union with God, but because of sin, sanctification and ultimate glorification is a life-long process.

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Can I recognize that deep in my inmost self is a desire to be united with God? Even when my parts are struggling, even when I’m stuck in old patterns, and even when I feel frustrated with myself, that at my core I want to grow in conformity with God and His goodness, His beauty, and His truth. Without trying to change my parts, I can pause, slow down, and notice that longing in the depth of my heart to be close to Him. I can allow myself to make contact with my deepest and truest desires.

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Notice in that deep place, He welcomes us. He wants us to come to Him with every burden we are carrying. He delights in telling us who we truly are. We are His child made in His image and destined to be fully transformed into His image. Only God sees us over our lifespan. He’s not focused on our brokenness, our addictions, our problems, our failures. Instead, He says, you are my beloved, you are mine, you belong, you are my creation, you are my son and my daughter.

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