In the Image of God: A Biblical, Theological, Sociological Perspective on Family Identity, Relationships, and Purpose

Room N335

The family system is divinely ordained to perpetuate the character attributes of God, to preserve the identity and wellbeing of each family member, to foster nurturing interpersonal exchange in community, and to provide adequate leadership for a more stable society. Within family systems individuals’ identities are closely tied to other family members in that they are often recognized merely through their identifying roles in the family unit. Fundamentally, individual family members are best understood in connection with other family members because a relational self as opposed to an individual self, is one whose identity is inevitably bound up in relationship with others. While individuals’ identities are linked to their close family ties it is necessary to visualize the identity of every family, past, present, and future, as constituted in some way by their relation to God. Scripture asserts that humankind is significantly tied to God in that they were was created in His image and in His likeness (Gen 1:26–28; 9:6). Revisiting the identity, relationships and purpose of family systems as embodiment of the Image of God has potential for best practices in discipling contemporary families.