What does this research mean for the field?

The tension in Christian anthropology between distinct human agency and creation from nothing can be resolved through a Trinitarian parallel, suggesting that humans are in God's image because, like the Son, they are fully themselves only when they do not live independently. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To resolve the tension in Christian anthropology between creaturely agency and absolute divine dependence through the lens of Trinitarian relations.

September 5, 2026Scottish Journal of TheologyOpen Access

On creation in the image of God

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Authors

IMIan A. McFarlandEmory University

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Implication

Theological analysis reveals a parallel between Trinitarian agency and creatureliness in Christian anthropology, suggesting that the image of God reflects relational dependence rather than autonomy.

Key Points

To resolve the tension in Christian anthropology between creaturely agency and absolute divine dependence through the lens of Trinitarian relations.
Conceptual theological analysis contrasting the doctrine of creation from nothing with the requirement for distinct human agency in communion with God.
Analogical comparison mapping human-divine agency onto the relational dynamics between the Father and the Son within the Trinity.
Demonstrates that the tension between distinct agency and total ontological dependence is directly modeled in the Trinity, where the Son is distinct from the Father yet possesses no independent being.
Concludes that being created in the 'image of God' indicates that human beings fully realize their personhood and agency not through autonomous independence, but exclusively in non-separated relation to God.

Cite This Study

Ian A. McFarland (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4436b95aff0620ebc55 https://doi.org/10.1017/s0036930626101732

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Implication

Theological analysis reveals a parallel between Trinitarian agency and creatureliness in Christian anthropology, suggesting that the image of God reflects relational dependence rather than autonomy.

On creation in the image of God

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

On creation in the image of God

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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