What does it mean to be created in the image of God:

Many have criticized Christianity for maintaining a belief in such an anthropomorphic God (in the likeness of Man). According to Christianity, God is not anthropomorphic, man is theomorphic (in the likeness of God). Christianity teaches God created man in his likeness. Therefore, God is the template from which we were created.

Many have identified qualities and characteristics that distinguish man from animals. These qualities and characteristics include: self awareness, emotions, complex comprehension, complex social structure, pursuit of knowledge, love, revenge, justice, and empathy.

These are the qualities that make us human. According to Christianity, man possesses these qualities because these are the qualities that are possessed by God. In other words, these qualities that make us human are the same qualities that define God.

Creating Man in the image of God does not mean God “looks” like man or man “looks” like God. While the Bible does describe God with human physical attributes (such as hands and ears), most conclude these are only used symbolically to better relate to God. Christianity does not claim any information regarding the appearance of God. The Hebrew word: “beTzellem Elohim“ (image of God) does not necessarily mean a physical resemblance. The word, used in the context of Genesis 1:27, implies an image of God’s morality and spirituality, not physicality.