The Church: A Glimpse of Eden Restored
The church is where the image of God, restored and completed in Christ, is displayed to the world. It's a glimpse of Eden restored, where mankind once again enjoys God's presence and where people of all backgrounds find unified identity in Jesus Christ.
The Image of God (Imago Dei)
Created in His Image
Genesis 1 & 2 reveals that God created humans—both men and women—in His image. This means we reflect aspects of God's nature, beauty, and glory. As image bearers, we were given shared dominion over creation.
Reflecting the Trinity
Just as God exists in Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), humans were created for relationship. The creation of both man and woman reflects the relational nature of God—different roles but equal in value and essence.
The Fall and Disruption
In Genesis 3, sin disrupted this harmony. The image was marred, relationships were broken, and death entered the world. The question became: How could God salvage the human race?
Image Restored in Christ (Imago Christi)
Perfect Image
Jesus is the perfect image of God
Redemptive Work
The cross reforges God's image in us
New Creation
All Christians bear the image of Christ
While all humanity bears the image of God, only Christians bear the completed image of Christ. Jesus came as the "new Adam" to restore what was lost. Through His sacrifice, He redeems both men and women, creating a new lineage and forging a better image.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29
Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:49
Between Two Gardens
Eden
Perfect communion with God, perfect relationships, no sin or death
The Present
The "messy middle" where the church displays Christ's image while still bearing the effects of the fall
Eden Restored
The future glory where the curse is fully undone and God's presence is fully enjoyed
Human history exists between the Garden of Eden and Eden restored in heaven. The church is called to live toward that restored Eden, displaying the image of Christ even in this messy middle.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:19-23
Living Toward Eden Now
Imago Dei
Created in God's image
Imago Christi
Restored in Christ's image
Missio Dei
Displaying God's image to the world
Gloria Dei
For God's ultimate glory
Christians are called to live out their God-given image, now recovered in Christ. This means participating in God's work, displaying Christ to the nations, and reflecting the Trinity's ordered relational synergy in our relationships.
Toward Eden: Marriage
Headship Redeemed
Husbands are called to cherish and love their wives, showcasing Christ's love for the church. This headship is exercised in humility and service, not domination.
Helper Fit
Wives honor their husbands' God-given headship, reflecting the Son's respect for the Father. This is a relationship of honor, not subjugation.
Equal Value
Husbands and wives share equal essence, mission, and destiny in Christ, though with different roles—reflecting the Trinity's equal essence with different roles.
Marriage provides a beautiful picture of redeemed relationships that reflect the Trinity. Different roles with equal value create an "ordered relational synergy" that displays God's glory to the world.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:31-33
Toward Eden: Church
Humble Leadership
Elders lead through prayer and ministry of the word, exercising godly headship.
Learning Together
Brothers and sisters are equal disciples, learning and growing in Christ TOGETHER!
Unified Witness
Together displaying Christ's image to the world.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:22-23
The church functions as a glimpse of Eden restored, where brothers and sisters work together to glorify God. This requires honoring God's created order while recognizing the equal value and dignity of all believers.
Babel Undone: A United Identity in Christ
The church is where Babel is fully undone and all peoples and ethnicities gather to find unified identity in Christ. We don't find our common identity in skin color, language, or gender, but in Jesus. This unity-in-diversity reflects the beauty of Eden restored, where people from every tribe, nation, and tongue worship together.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10