The Imago Dei

WE AFFIRM that God created male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures and the world. We affirm that all image-bearers of God, regardless of ability, means of conception, gender, ethnicity, or age are valuable, have dignity, and are due justice according to the impartial Law of God. We affirm that male and female are image-bearers at the very moment of fertilization. Violence or oppression of innocents is not only a sin against man, but also a sin against God.

WE DENY that any God-ordained distinctions among image-bearers diminishes or negates any value that individuals or groups have as image-bearers of God. We deny that the image of God is ever diminished or negated by biological, political, or socioeconomic realities or perceived realities. We deny that humans attain the image of God at birth or any other point other than at fertilization.

Genesis 1:26-30, 2:18-22, 9:6; Colossians 3:10-11