The Human Person: the Image of God

The human person is created in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).

1. In the human person Heaven and Earth touch one another.
2. In the human person God enters His creation; the human person is directly related to God.
3. Every person is called by Him. God's words in the Bible are valid and true for every human being.
4. Each person is known by God and loved by Him. Each person is willed by God, and each is God's holy image.

In these four statements are found the deeper and greater unity of all mankind.  Our faith explains that each of us, each individual person realizes God and has his or her origin.  The Bible says that whoever violates a human being violates God (Gen 9:5).

Human life stands under God's special protection, because each human being, however wretched or exalted he or she may be, however sick or suffering, however good-for-nothing or important, whether born of unborn, whether incurably ill or radiant with with health, each person bears God's breath in himself or herself, each one is God's image.

When a person is no longer seen being under God's protection and bearing His breath then the person begins to be viewed in utilitarian fashion.  It is then that human dignity is trampled upon.  By vice versa:  When human dignity is realized and protected under God, then a high degree of spirituality and morality is plainly evident.