Torch, Fall/Winter 2007

18 TORCH A lthough it may seem an odd passage for a discussion on ethics and homosexuality, the first five verses of Psalm 8 provide a “big picture” perspective on the issues. Here we read of the great value God places on mankind, His creation. How Does God Confer Such High Value on You and Me? For the answer we turn to the creation account. In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness … .” The next verse confirms, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Two critical words, “image” and “likeness,” confer significant value on us as human beings. Often used interchangeably in Christian ethics, the clear implication of these words is that mankind resembles God intellectually, morally, and socially. Genesis 1:26–27 also affirms that our gender and sexuality are part of what it means to be God’s image bearer. Introduced just one chapter after the creation account, the intimate relationship of marriage is also part of our imaging and representing God to others. Under theNightSky An Image Bearer’s Ethical Response to Homosexuality by Dennis Sullivan, Ph.D. Imagine a warm summer evening. The sky is crystal clear, and there is a slight wind to cool the skin. David, the shepherd, is caring for his flocks on a quiet Israeli plain under a black velvet sea of stars. It was a sight like this that inspired David to write Psalm 8. O LORD , our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.