THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN - Research Proposal Example

THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL Working Thesis Statement (Proposed) Man was said to be created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 26 – 28) due to man’s ability to reason, to choose, the capacity to emote, and to have conscience and a soul, or spirit. 1. If man violates any of these precepts, man’s image is transformed from Godliness to impiousness. 2. Contemporary generation does not recognize that man was created in the image of God, but rather as a natural evolutionary process in life, including the possibility of evolving from animals. 3. The image of God is manifested in each and every person regardless of religious orientation and belief.

Need for the Study The aim of the study is to proffer issues that would deepen one’s understanding on the statement that man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 26 – 28). Having been explained in various literatures, the meaning of the “image of God” is presented in discussing the difference between man and other creations of God, particularly animals. Further, one would seek to determine if any violation from the factors signifying man’s being created in God’s image would that necessarily defy man’s existence as being created out of God’s image.

For instance, if man commits sin with utter disregard for conscience, does that mean that the statement does not apply to him, in particular? Procedure of the Study The study would be conducted using various secondary sources of information of the topic. The sources would be authoritative and scholarly and would present balanced and unbiased views of the authors on the subject. If the time would allow, some primary information could be solicited through simple interviews of acquaintances and people from various walks of life regarding their personal points of views and perception of the topic.

From a random sample of say, 20 people, one would aim to establish some information regarding today’s generation’s perception on the image of God in man and how do they believe it is manifested in contemporary life. If it is still very much alive in most of the respondent’s views, then, how could they explain the utter indifference and disregard of societies to poverty, hunger, inequality, and violations of human rights. Data would be collected, tabulated and collated to determine the findings of people’s views on the topic.

An analysis of findings would aim to evaluate the understanding of people on the topic and to address any controversies or misunderstanding on the subject being investigated. The paper would thus be presented initially with an introduction of the topic with a discussion of the general understanding and meaning of the statement. A review of literature would reveal various researches conducted by various authors on the subject. A research methodology section would present simple design for interviews, findings and analysis.

Recommendations would be presented to discuss strengths, weaknesses or the emergence of relevant information as revealed from the contentions of research participants and from the review of literature. Finally, a concluding portion would summarize the highlights of the research. Bibliography Created in the Image of God, n.d. Accessed 10 Febuary 2011; available from http://www.cnm.org.uk/student_articles/CreatedInTheImageOfGod.pdf Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1-15, Word Biblical Commentary 1 (Waco: Word Books, 1987), 29-31.

Grace Communion International. Humans in the Image of God, 2010. Accessed 11 February 2011; available from http://www.gci.org/humans/image. Hazen, Robert. Genesis: The Scientific Quest for Life’s Origins. Joseph Henry Press, February 28, 2007. Hoekema, Anthony. Created in God’s Image. Grand Rapids, MI: The Paternoster Press, 1986. International Theological Commission. COMMUNION AND STEWARDSHIP: Human Persons Created in the Image of God, 2002. Accessed 08 February 2011; available from http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20040723_communion-stewardship_en.

html Let Us Reason Ministries. The Image of God in Man, 2009. Accessed 09 February 2011; available from http://www.letusreason.org/Wf14.htm Miller, Keith B. Evolution and the Image of God, 2001. Accessed 09 February 2011; available from http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/humans-km.htm Mueller, Ekkehardt. The Image of God in Gen 1:26-27, 2003. Accessed 11 February 2011; available from http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/Biblequestions/image%20of%20God.htm Pratte, David E. Man in the Image of God, 2006.

Accessed 10 February 2011; available from http://www.gospelway.com/topics/man/man-image-god.php Religion Facts. Imago Dei (The Image of God), 2011. Accessed 11 February 2011; Available from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/imago_dei.htm Rendle-Short, John. Man: The Image of God, 1981. Accessed 10 February 2011; available from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v4/n1/man-image-of-god