The Image of God: Why Did God Create Me (part 4)?
Written by Minister Jewel D. Williams
December 11, 2008

God: His Purpose For Man

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4-5)

Robert Pasnau in his article, Thomas Aquinas on Human Nature: A Philosophical Study of Summa Theologiae 1a, 75-89, writes what Thomas Aquinas believed man’s purpose was. He quotes Aquinas’ position as, “Far from supposing that God created the universe for our sake, Aquinas believes that we were created for God’s sake, as a manifestation of his goodness.”[1] Pasnau states in Aquina’s view it is misleading to say that God created human beings in order to make them happy in heaven. Pasnau also states, “But we serve a larger, more significant purpose, the manifestation of God’s goodness, and in that larger context we are simply the means to God’s end.”[2] He also states everything exist for the sake of God. Man’s creation was not to make him happy but to accomplish God’s own ultimate goal. With man’s ability to have a right relationship with God man’s purpose can be carried out. Pasnau poses, “we are not just a passive reflection of God: we seek him and come to love and understand him, and this means that we contribute to the perfection of the universe in a special way.”[3]

McConnell further clarifies when he states, “Since Jesus shows us exactly how those who are made in the image of God should live, he becomes our model . . .We should therefore live out God’s image as Jesus did.”[4] McConnell argues it is this restored relationship that helps man to care for the earth as God intended. He argues God placed Adam in the garden to tend or serve it. As the Son of God and second Adam, Jesus came to serve creation. McConnell’s stand is that children of God need to serve creation in the same way that Jesus did. For McConnell, one purpose of man is to have dominion over the earth in the way God intended. Sin marred man’s thinking and therefore man’s ability to understand his stewardship of God’s creation was also marred. Clark concludes his writing by stating, “Sin has caused its malfunction. Redemption will renew men in knowledge (righteousness and holiness) after the image of him that created him. Then in heaven we will not make mistakes even in arithmetic.”[5] Clark argues man’s thinking is restored through redemption. This leads one to the understanding that a restored mind helps the individual to have the “mind of Christ”.

The relationship between God and man is restored. This also means all relationships are restored, humans with other humans as well as man and creation. Evidence of this is shown in the book of Acts (1:14; 2:1; 2:46). After sin entered one was able to see the breaking of relationships. Cain’s murder of his brother Abel and Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy against him, just to name a few. However one can read in the book of Acts how the disciples were on one accord (in restored relationship) and the scripture says God added to the church daily. This is a New Testament reflection of the mandate to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply.

Why was man created? What was to be his purpose? Man was created to be in fellowship with God. Man was created to worship, love and honor God. Man was also created to “be fruitful and multiply”. Yes, this means physical children but it also can be applied to bringing others into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Man was created by God to be in a relationship with him and with others humans. This is why Jesus tells those listening to him what the two most important commandments are, to love God first and to love one another (John 13:33-35). Come back next week for the final installment.

[1] Robert Pasnau, “Thomas Aquinas on Human Nature: A Philosophical Study of Summa Theologiae 1a, 75-89.” New York: Cambridge University Press, (2002): 394-404. NetLibrary Online Reader, eBook: 9780511018961 (accessed December 3, 2008), 394.
[2] Ibid, 395.
[3] Pasnau, “Thomas Aquinas on Human Nature,” 401.
[4] McConnell, “In His Image,” 125.
[5] Clark, “The Image of God in Man,” 222.