Image of God in the Person of Jesus
- Image of God in the Parables
- Image of the Holy Spirit and the Church
- Image of God in the Person of Jesus
Our image of God reveals not only God’s character, but our own.
Who is Jesus? Is Jesus more immanent (human) or transcendent (divine)? Because we are created in the image of God and Jesus is divine, the church struggles to define Jesus. This impulse can be a genuine attempt to know God better or it can be an insidious attempt to create God in our own image. This struggle is often tinged with a bit of both.
The Letter to the Church at Thessalonica was likely the first book written in the New Testament. In a literary sense, the implication is that the Apostle Paul is the father of the New Testament. Paul only knew the Risen Christ and, for him, the divinity of Christ was obvious. By contrast, the Gospels that record the humanity of Christ were written almost a generation later. Thus, the transcendence problem facing postmodern people that fixates on the humanity of Christ is relatively new.
My recent book, Image and Illumination (2023), asked the question—What does it mean to be created in the image of God?— focused on Christian anthropology. Embedded in this question is the metaphysical question: Who is God? The New Testament addresses this question with three pictures of God: The person of Jesus, Jesus' teaching about God the Father in the parables, and the founding of the church on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In this book, I focus on the Image of God in the Person of Jesus.
Hear the Words; Walk the Steps; Experience the Joy
Cover art by C. Hiemstra (2024), Joshua, Used with Permission.
Annie Hui wrote:If spiritual maturity centers on becoming more like Jesus, then grasping how Jesus reflects who God is and how we, like Jesus, are created in God’s image seems foundational. Stephen Hiemstra provides a scriptural and accessible introduction to explore these mutually illuminating dynamics for those seeking to explore these central mysteries more fully.
John A. "Jack" Calhoun, President and CEO, Hope Matters wrote:Meeting intellectuals where they are, this work communicates a dimension in this world that is usually beyond the reach of the natural mind, except through special revelation.
Ann Westerman wrote:Knowing God poses a tough question. Is God in Christ more immanent or transcendent?
Hiemstra expresses God’s immanence through fleshy verbs: “Heal … feed … confront … teach … comfort … visit … pray.” God’s transcendence is more slippery because divinity is a difficult concept to those steeped in a materialistic worldview. If that weren’t enough, how do put these attributes together without creating God in our own image?
Hiemstra tackles this task by focusing on the image of God in the person of Jesus.
Eric Teitelman, House of David Ministries wrote:The Image of God in the Person of Jesus is the latest of Stephen Hiemstra's books about the image of God and is the best yet. Well-researched, the book is filled with unexpected details that add to the reader's understanding of the gospels, Paul's message, transcendence, postmodernism, etc. in relation to the Church. Undergirding Hiemstra’s scholarly assessment of Jesus as the image of God is his deep well of faith that pours out in the extraordinary prayers that conclude his chapters.
Sharron Giambanco, Business owner and writer wrote:In his latest book, Image of God in the Person of Jesus, my good friend and author Stephen Hiemstra navigates the complexities of divinity within the context of our human experience. Through reflections on ancient civilizations, biblical narratives, and theological doctrines, Stephen illuminates the enduring significance of God’s transcendence in our lives. Delving into topics such as the Apostle’s Creed, forgiveness of sins, Old Testament prophecies, and the role of Jesus as both human and divine, Stephen invites us to contemplate the mysteries of our faith.
With clarity and depth, Image of God in the Person of Jesus offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between the divine and the human, inspiring Christians to reflect on their spiritual journey with the Lord.
Percy M. Burns, Author of Glorious Freedom wrote:Stephen Hiemstra, in the Image of God in the Person of Jesus, writes,“there are no paths up the mountain to God because God, having created time and space, stands outside of both. We cannot approach God; he must approach us and he did so in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.” Hiemstra’s scholarly research examines extensive sources, from the Bible to Saint Augustine and even the Greek myth of Narcissus, in this lively study of the second person of the Holy Trinity.
Rob Bromhead, Pastor Emeritus Centreville Presbyterian Church wrote:What captures seeker attention today is the person and work of Christ. In my seventeen trips to the Middle East, my motivation for going was to visit places where Jesus was born, where He taught, and where He performed miracles. He changed the world. Stephen Hiemstra’s work will help you understand and experience more about this Jesus, the person that we call Christ.
Nohemi Zerbi, Commissioned Lay Pastor wrote:Dr. Hiemstra takes us on a tour of the Biblical passages that reveal the image of God shining through the person of Jesus Christ. Some of the sections will surprise you and cause you to wonder, How does this familiar passage reflect the image of God in Jesus? Yet through the author’s further explanation, you come to appreciate the breadth and profound depth of the image as it glistens in the prophecies, life and teaching of Jesus. However, it doesn’t end there. For as these truths seep into our mind and soul they provide a life-giving perspective that can transform us more and more into this image of our creator.
Aaron McMillan, Pastor wrote:Image of God in the Person of Jesus is the last in Stephen Hiemstra's Image of God series and rightfully so. In Jesus we see the culmination of God's plan for humanity, His mercy and saving grace. Stephen's careful and thoughtful approach to the person of Jesus, totally human but at the same time totally divine is compelling for the believer as well as the non-believer. Stephen uses a very logical pathway to present the person of Jesus, from the prophecies in the Old Testament to His resurrection in the New Testament. Make sure you do not skip the Conclusion section where Stephen brings it all together in the topic of the Trinity.
This series lends itself to be used as a personal devotional guide or as a group study. The questions at the end of each chapter help you ensure that you pondered and understood the material presented. But my all time favorite section is the prayer. These prayers are not only profound but they put into words thoughts and doubts I have had and did not know how to express.
May the Lord richly bless you as you delve into this book and learn about who Jesus is and what He has done for you.
Is there anything less suited to our Postmodern world than the Jesus the first Christian’s encountered—a Divine rescuer, breaking through the bounds of space and time? Jesus the ancient rabbi shepherding his small flock of followers seems easier to believe and less challenging to follow. (but) What if Jesus was actually both these things? And what if this Jesus is the one we actually need? Through deep scholarship, guided prayer and introspective questions Stephen Hiemstra offers us a path back to the Jesus who was and is and will be forever.