Imago Dei,Creation as Election: Foundations for Psychotherapy

Abstract

The Imago Dei as established by God's creative and elective work is examined as to what it reveals of human ontology and teleology. God's election is seen as at the core of the Imago Dei, as beginning at creation, as a fundamental theme uniting the Scriptures, and as God's calling his creation, human beings, into relationship with himself and each other. In this way, election is viewed as a universal phenomenon, distinct and different from redemption. The discussion provides a basic foundation for psychology which becomes an underlying assumption in psychotherapy. In an article to appear in the next issue, the Imago Dei, as understood in this article, will be examined as to its implications for the process of psychotherapy.