We just completed a chapter on the Imago Dei in seminary. This phrase, "Made in the Image of God" has at least 4 major different interpretations. One of the big questions theologians ask is this - While human beings were made in the Image of God in Genesis, how much of that image remains now that we are living in a sinful, unjust world?
I believe, and I think that the strongest argument can be made, that while the Image of God in us has been marred by sin and injustice, there is some image of God in each person, regardless of religion, race, age, ability, history, gender, orientation etc.
One of the side effects of trying to be "The Perfect Woman", is a tendency to make all or nothing decisions. Resulting in misunderstanding of grace towards the imperfections of myself and others.
Either I'm perfect - OR - I'm a failure
Either He's a spiritual person - OR - he's a hypocrite
Either She's a good friend - OR - She's a terrible friend
Either that church cares about the community - OR - they're self-centered.
Again there's a problem. If members of our community or community groups are being held to an impossible, all or nothing standard, we miss opportunities to love them.
So we're becoming what we love, if we love perfection, if we love clear cut, black and white, all or nothing, we'll continue to put people into boxes, hold them on impossibly high and wobbly pedestals or relegate them to small boxes where there is no hope for redemption. Certainly, some things are "black and white." But I suspect that for many things there is much more gray (or grey if your an Anglophile) then we let ourselves believe.
In community, there must be gray.
Well not Macy Gray, but since you were asking for a flashback to the year 2000 here you go.
Plus did you see Andy on The Office cover this last week? Hulu it "Andy's Play" about minute 19, so sweet. (Did I mention that all 4 of us have been sick over the past week? I've watched a lot of TV).
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