An Introduction to Christian Ethics

Humans Are Essentially Valuable

In the account of the creation in Genesis 1, humans are the final part of the creation. Humans and humans only are described as being made in the "image of God" (verse 27): - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female, He created them."

This does not mean that humans physically look like God, rather that humans as God intended them to be somehow reflect the nature of God.

Humans are given authority over the animals and the rest of creation (this authority is sometimes called dominion) - verse 28: "Be fruitful and increase in number: fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature…"

Christians believe that humans are special. They are God's creation and are made in His image.