Dr. Hugh Ross: Understanding Imago Dei

This latest blog on Dr. Hugh Ross will discuss the concept of imago Dei, the “image of God.”


Genesis 1:26-27 shares how God created mankind -- in His own image and likeness. This brought forth the term “imago Dei,” the Latin term for the image of God. Although the term has been mentioned several times in different books -- 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; and James 3:9 included – the verse in Genesis has the most impact as it proclaims how people are created.

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The terms ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ that are used in the verses should be taken as synonymous terms, according to theology experts, which both mean a representation of a thing or something similar to. Thus, theology experts like Dr. Hugh Ross and the team at Reasons to Believe emphasize that when God said he created male and female in His image and likeness, He did not mean that humans are identical with him. Simply, humans are similar (and dissimilar) to God.


What imago Dei entails

Knowing the meaning of the terms does not answer the question as to what imago Dei entails. Kenneth R. Sample dissects the concept into three points of view, as published on RTB’s website. These are:

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The representative view -- Humans represent God. As Genesis 1:26 states: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” God equipped mankind with the natural ability to rule the world, being the highest form among all His creations.

Dr. Hugh Ross is the founder of Reasons to Believe, a ministry that integrates both science and faith in understanding the Scriptures and in discovering Christ.

The relational view -- Samples shares that the perspective means that humans are like God in terms of their unique relational characteristics.


The functional view -- “This viewpoint insists that being made in the image of God is more about what a person does than what a person is,” Samples shares. This means that it is human actions that reflect the image of God.

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For more information about Dr. Hugh Ross, visit the Reasons to Believe website.

Hugh Ross presents cogent reasons for the convergence of faith and science

Hugh Ross, founder of the influential Christian think-tank Reasons To Believe (RTB), encourages us to at least try to advance a step beyond ourselves as we chase our imaginations to the heavens so we can conceive the truth about God’s existence even in the midst of overwhelming—yet scarce—scientific pieces of evidence on the origin of the universe.

Dr. Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

Ross believes that humanity can both marvel at the achievements of science and wonder at the inspirations of faith. He impressively strikes a fine balance between the cogent scientific principles on the cosmic origin of the universe and the lucid biblical accounts on creation. On one hand, Hugh Ross attempts to rationalize our faith on the existence of God through the evidence of science, while on the other hand, he introduces arguments in favor of the need for science’s recognition of a divine creator even through a simple leap of faith.

Dr. Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

Ross is both a serious man of science and an ardent Christian believer who recognizes God’s handiwork in the cosmic origin of the universe. Indeed, for Ross, the problem is not at all complicated and difficult to understand. He simply maintains that the moment we break free from the narrow compass of our understanding, we’ll begin to recognize that there are really certain principles which operate in the world that suggests intelligent design.

Dr. Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

For more information on Hugh Ross, visit www.reasons.org.

Hugh Ross closes divisive gap between faith and science

Amidst the age-old, divisive polemics between faith and science, astronomer Hugh Ross gives us reasons to believe that it is possible to bring these frontiers together and close the gap to create a chance for convergence.

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Dr. Ross, founder of the influential Christian think-tank Reasons To Believe (RTB), demonstrates that science has the capacity to affirm our faith and confirm the veracity of the Bible.


As a man who values reason and recognizes its power to reveal truths, it’s not hard to understand that Dr. Ross will find God in science and discover scientific truths in the Bible. An astronomer and biblical scholar by profession, he is on a quest to spread the word that the fundamental issues on creation actually complement the scientific theories and principles on the origin of the earth and mankind.

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Dr. Hugh Ross not only unearthed credible amount of fundamental scientific truths behind the Biblical account of creation but also objectively pointed out the “fingerprints of God” unrecognized in modern cosmological theories.


Although Dr. Ross’ scientific evangelism will understandably be frowned upon both by the fundamentalist Christians and hardcore advocates of Darwinian theory of evolution, it can’t be refuted for its novelty.


Dr. Ross’ theories may not be conventional, but these are uncongenial either. At the least, Ross must be credited for providing us new reasons to break the divisive elements that often tear apart our faith and unfairly criticize our needed dependence on scientific reason.

Hugh Ross Image Credit: Reasons.org

For more information on Dr. Hugh Ross, visit this Facebook page.

Hugh Ross and Reasons to Believe: Building personal growth and development through innovative online programs

Reasons to Believe (RTB) is an organization founded by Dr. Hugh Ross. In a time when the number of skeptics is increasing, RTB’s inception is but fitting and timely. The organization tries to explain the different phenomena in the Bible using science. It has powerful reasons to believe that science proves the credibility of the Bible. In achieving this mission, RTB offers online interactive learning through its innovative online programs. These programs are also created to help students to stand firm on their faith and at the same time, work on their personal growth and development.  


Reasons Institute

 

Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

This is an innovative online learning program from RTB. This is designed for all Christians including high school and college students, church leaders, teachers, and many more.

Dr. Hugh Ross is both a man of science and faith. He established Reasons to Believe with the aim to enlighten people on the gravity of the Bible as the error-free word of God.

In the comfort of their homes, all participants can have access to the virtual classroom, make use of recent research from top apologists, and interact with RTB instructors and students. Additionally, students enrolled in this program are able to work toward becoming an RTB volunteer apologist. Reasons Academy

Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

This is a high school science apologetics program that aims to prepare students in keeping hold of a strong faith in God despite adversities and temptations. This program benefits students who are interested in science or those who are thinking of taking up engineering and medical courses. Students who are skeptics but are seeking answers about the Bible’s validity are also welcome to participate here.

Hugh Ross. Image credit: Reasons.org

Dr. Hugh Ross graduated with a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and finished his graduate degrees in astronomy at the University of Toronto. For more information about him and Reasons to Believe, log on to www.reasons.org.

Dr. Hugh Ross and Reasons to Believe: Pattern in fossil records supports the creation model

From Dr. Hugh Ross

Most scientists and scholars use fossil records to support claims about the concept of evolution. However, based on an article published by Dr. Hugh Ross’ Reasons to Believe, new fossil records reveal that the natural patterns that Charles Darwin once observed may not accurately match the actual process that is supposed to happen to living organisms, especially if biological evolution accounts for life’s history and diversity. On the other hand, this pattern fits almost accurately within a “creation” model.

In an August 2011 episode of Science News Flash, paleontologists from the United States, Great Britain, and Germany were shown generating 3-D reconstructions of two harvestmen (daddy longlegs) fossil specimens that were 305 million years old already. The researchers discovered that these ancient organisms were surprisingly possessing modern anatomy. This means that they have not undergone evolutionary change for at least 300 million years.

From Dr. Hugh Ross

Dr. Hugh Ross enjoys constructively integrating all 66 books of the Bible with all the science disciplines as a way to discover and apply deeper truths.

The discovery is not an anomaly. It typifies the fossil record. The “hurry up and wait” pattern that the fossils seem to suggest is counter-intuitive from an evolutionary perspective. The scientists surveyed a variety of mathematical models to find one that would generate the same pattern as observed in the specimen. At present, thorough investigation are still undertaken to clarify things out and better explain the “actual” biological characteristics of organisms.

For more articles by Dr. Hugh Ross and his research team at Reasons to Believe, log on to www.reasons.com.

From Dr. Hugh Ross

A man of science: Dr. Hugh Ross’ attainments in the field of physics and astronomy

From Dr. Hugh Ross

Dr. Hugh Ross made a name among Christian groups and sectors for solving Biblical mysteries through scientific research conducted by Reasons To Believe, a ministry he founded in 1986. But many may not know yet that before fulfilling his spiritual calling, Dr. Ross was already making a name in the field of science.

At age seven, Dr. Ross developed a curiosity in physics and astronomy and began researching in the library to find out answers to certain questions like “why are stars hot?” After 10 years, he was already the Director of Observations for Vancouver’s Royal Astronomical Society, the youngest in the organization’s history. Because of his skills and scientific knowledge, he became a provincial scholar.

From Dr. Hugh Ross

At age seven, Dr. Hugh Ross developed already his curiosity in physics and astronomy.

Eventually, with additional support from the National Research Council (NRC), Dr. Ross completed his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of British Columbia and graduate degrees in astronomy at University of Toronto. The NRC then sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At California Institute of Technology, he did a research on quasi-stellar objects or quasars – some of the universe’s farthest ancient objects.

Dr. Hugh Ross is enjoying his spiritual calling as he guides his team at RTB in fulfilling the Great Commission. Read more information about him at his group’s official website: www.reasons.org.

From Dr. Hugh Ross