Now of course, common sense tells us Imago Dei cannot be defined in a literal sense of physical appearance. In fact, the Hebrew words used in Genesis 1:26 tell us something that God wants us to understand about His efforts, namely, that we resemble Him in form or state of being (צֶלֶם, דְּמוּת). We do not physically look like Him, but we carry some of His divine attributes even though we are not divine ourselves. For instance:

• We think because He thinks.
• We are merciful because He is merciful.
• We love because He loves.
• We are forgiving because He forgives.
• We welcome because He is welcoming.
• We care because He cares.
• We laugh because He laughs.
• We value justice because He values justice.
• We create because He creates.

But — and here is the key — these attributes are NOT just for His followers. They are for all fallen creation. Born-again or not, we all possess these image-bearing attributes, though marred by the fall obviously. How else do we explain two Muslims having a loving, caring, kind, servant-hearted marriage of fifty years? Or the kindness of an atheist who is a first responder? Or the compassion of a Hindu doctor who cares for the sick? How else is this explained? How else do we explain creative geniuses like Bill Gates, Galileo, Li Cheng, Aristotle who create things we benefit from? Obviously, these folks are not nor were they followers of Jesus Christ in the way the Bible describes it. How about comedians like Red Skelton, or motion picture moguls like Walt Disney? Or Persian engineer Banū Mūsā? The list could go on and on detailing the accomplishments and achievements of non-Christians who nonetheless acted in concert with God’s creative image-bearing powers He and only He possesses. Because we cannot argue biblically that only those who are saved are His image-bearers, can we? Of course not!

There is no other explanation other than He created us in His image. All of us. Whether or not regenerated by the substitutionary death on the Cross, we still have a remarkable ability to live without being in a constant state of war with each other as Hobbes suggests in his views of man in a state of nature. A state of conflict Hobbes insists is the normative life and a state that demands an absolutist government with absolute power over God’s image-bearers to control them. 

Unfortunately, as we experience today, most post-Enlightenment governments are designed upon the Hobbesian premise. They regularly lie and insist without them (government), man will just revert to savagery, war, theft, murder and lead solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short lives. 

Nonsense!

Most governments have a vested interest in indoctrinating people into believing we will we will fall into a state of barbarity without them. Why? Because if we ever figure out, as a people created in His image that our “natural” state is defined by His attributes I listed above, it will spell the end of government as we understand it.

And the evidence of my claim is everywhere.

For instance, the average day for most people consists of voluntary interactions all the time.

• People drive on a road that necessitates peaceful voluntary interactions with a 2000 lb vehicle at 70 mph. Or we just assume that people will follow instructions at a four-way intersection.
• People shop at Walmart, gas stations, fast-food restaurants just about every day, all voluntarily and peacefully. Often saying hi and thank you.
• People visit hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other medical clinics, all peacefully and voluntarily.
• People go to movies and eat at restaurants.
• People peacefully function in community just about every day of their lives. They get up, and go to work and produce everything their fellow man needs, at the same time earning money to take care of their families.
• This reflects mankind’s natural state of nature, operating instinctively and intuitively in God’s definition of man in a state of nature.

The list above is so commonplace, we engage these activities intuitively and instinctively. Government will assert that these activities are so commonplace because the government is present and keeps us from killing or robbing each other. And that is the big Hobbesian lie we have all been trained to accept.

REAL SOLUTIONS

VS

SOPHMORIC SOLUTIONS

This is a book about the future, a better future and how you can play a part. But more than that, in order to honor God, you MUST play a part.

BRILLIANT ANALYSIS

Professor Emeritus Don Livingston, Emory University edits this profound book and in doing so, complies some of the great thinkers regarding history, societies and secession.