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Name : Kian M Balgomera 1M7
What struck you the most about the presentation?  & For what purpose are we created?

The part that struck me the most is when the speaker says that” The Imago Dei is our calling the purpose given to us by God “. Reading the passage makes me curious about things specially about the Imago Dei but somehow I agree to the passage that we are called because we humans have a purpose in life. God created us in his image and likeness, He chooses us because we humans have an intellectual thinking, we know what is right& wrong .Being a human we all have a purpose and that is to go back to the kingdom of god but it doesn’t end there, we must follow his commandments, follow the divine beatitude and to serve him unconditionally.

What differentiate human beings from other creatures of God?

On the 6th day of creation of God humans and animals are created in the same day but we have it has a lot of differences. Theorist Charles Darwin proposes that we humans came from animals later to be called (apes). Marc Hauser, director of cognitive evolution lab at Harvard University suggested that Man has a lot of capabilities that animals cannot such as Generative Computation, Promiscuous combination of ideas, Mental Symbols and Abstract thought thru this advantage we have a lot of capabilities making us superior being & creature.

The passage “ The land animals belongs to the innermost circle of intimacy” having been created on the sixth day together with the humans “ this supports that even though we humans & the animals are created on the same day , we may differ in many things . Through natural processes the earth created the variety of animals we have now. Animals live in land to the innermost circle of intimacy which means that we have a barrier that sets us apart from them. They live in seas, other parts of the land but we humans live in our own houses.

“As human animals by form and nature , we are biological priest by vocation and such as called and anointed to be agents in renewal of god’s  whole creation – from adam to noah and from Abraham to Christ “ . This depicts that we are chosen by Christ because we have a vocational capacity to spread his words & teachings , We have the intellectual ability to do these things this strongly argued that humans are superior than animals because animals cannot speak thus they can’t spread the word of god .

How can we be considered imago Dei or images of God?

Imago Dei means

1 God calls humans into a relationship with Him

2 God has us be the representatives of God to the rest of creation in his name

3 God has us be His stewards and care takers of creation

But to be considered image of god is first we should have Substantial View ,  A resemblance of god spiritually and Psychologically. God is a rational being, so He created man to be rational God is creative, so He created man to be creative. God understands morality, so He created humans to understand morality. God created man differently than he created all other creatures The image of God is an ontological or biological claim. Meaning to have the Imago Dei image that means you need to become rational, creative and fully understand morality

What are your thoughts about this (Why we are created)? Do you agree/ Disagree?  Why?

We are created because we have a purpose in life, we are created because of the unity of our parents, We are the product of their love for each other. For some reasons god wants us to live life to the fullest, He created man & woman to become his stewards that will spread his words . I agree that we are all both created for a purpose and that purpose is to be one of god’s son that will spread his words thru love & and other moral valued actions , later on when the judgment day comes we will all come back to the kingdom of god .

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NAME: CHING, ANNE LORRAINE T.
1. What struck me the most is when it was mentioned that "Of all creatures in the bible, only humans are the image of God." Through this, my mindset changed when it was also mentioned that it does not have  to be too literal and it does not automatically mean that we physically resemble Go, but it means that we're a special kind of creatures endowed with not just rationality and free will but to be God's representative. According to an Ethics Book I've read, Cortez (2016) noted that "anthropocentrism" means the view that human beings are the main reason of Earth's existence. Which also means that other existents like animals, plants and minerals are inferior, only "human beings are superior." Nonhuman things will only have value if and only if valued by human beings. Personally, I am not really for "anthropocentrism."

2. I believe that there are differences of human beings from other creatures. First, is the level of intelligence. It was mentioned that animals, too have rationality. Like animals, we are intelligent individuals, but we have the capability to have an emotion, to joke and to laugh. Human beings also have the inherent worth which is dignity. The quality of being worthy of respect and it is something that can not be taken away from us because ever since we're born, it is already given by God. Finally, according to the video, we're the "Imago Dei" or the image of God. It is the best feature that can describe humanity away from all other existents. We are a special being endowed with intelligence, talents and emotions therefore, we have the capability and obligation to be God's partners to make the world a better place to live.

3.We can be considered "Imago Dei" with three (3) specific reasons. (1) God's calling of humans into a relationship with Him. (2) We are representatives of God to the rest of creation in His name. (3) We as the caretakers of His creation. The first reason might be hard to grasp as God is an invisible spirit. How can we have a relationship with Him? The answer lies strongly within our faith. "Relationship" means two separate individuals, having a "connection." We may only be able to understand God better through the images of God that we derive in our everyday lives. The second and third reasons are connected. Like what I've mentioned on the first question, I do not believe that humanity should be the rulers of the world 'in a bad way.' God gave us all the necessities in life with the help of the nature. The fruits that it will bring will largely depend on human activities. So for me, when a large part of environment have a problem like global warming, this symbolizes humanity itself. We are also images of the nature because we've not been good stewards to them. That's why the calling of God into relationship with Him must be answered by our earthly actions. Let us be good bearers of God image.

4.I believe that as what mentioned to our classroom in Theology, our life's meaning is to go on our way on what we desire and its ultimate purpose is to go back to God. Yet, this seemed to vague and must be sliced into a more concise objective. In my opinion, we can go back to God by being His good children. As what we remember since elementary school, being the "good" child is when we listen to our teacher and not fight with other children. We may also become the "good" child of God by listening to His calling, by knowing our purpose and doing things our own way in accordance with this purpose. Lastly, I also believe that we are created to live a life of harmony by knowing how to become happy. We are happy when there's no war. We are happy when we love each other. By recognizing the worth of each other, giving respect to them follows and love is embodied. Let's be the "good" children of God!

5."God is one who wants to work with humans, his chosen representatives to make creation better." Which I fully agree with. If we will reflect, "If not humans, who will?" No one else will. Personally, our free will does not automatically mean doing everything we desire.

(Attached gif file from the movie Pocahontas: Different Paths)

Cortez  F. (2016) Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Vibal Group Inc. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

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NAME: ROSALES, MAR
1. The idea that stuck me the most is that being the Imago Dei is not based on the ontological and biological aspect, it is about our purpose as human beings. It is more about us becoming humane and answering to our calling. Because of this, we are the image bearers of God on earth. Personally, I have witnessed and I can attest the truth in this statement. I may not have acquired as many experiences as the others, I may not be as wise compared to those who are older than me but I am certain that I have answered my calling. I am an active member of our church, I join in medical missions and other community services. Because of this, I have met and mingled with different kind of people – rich and poor, young and old, single parents, young moms and dads and even sick people. Yet, I’ve always felt that there is a spiritual connection. I never that we are at far from each other, they always felt like family. I hope you believe me when I tell you, God is the midst of the humility and oneness I felt with them. Since then, I am confident that gradually, I am fulfilling my calling.

2. What sets us apart from the other creations of God is being given the privilege to become His image – being the Imago Dei. Only us, humans are given this privilege, not even the angels are His image, it is only us. In connection with this, another factor that sets us apart is our purpose and one of which is to become his steward. We are tasked to take good care of His other creatures on earth like His plants and trees, the animals and the like, as stated by the Scholars of Genesis. The Substantive View cannot be the basis for this answer because it contradicts the statement that we are the only Imago Dei. According to the Substantive View, in order for someone/something to become the Image of God, the ability to rationalize, to be creative and to comprehend morality. Although the three qualifications fit us, same goes with His other creations. Thus, contradicting the principle of us, being the only one.

3. We can be considered as the Image of God because we are serving our purpose and become his steward for his creations. A relationship between us and God has already established and we are his partner. We should take good care of his creations, take initiative to take nourish and enrich it because we are all interconnected.

4. The purpose of our creation as human beings is to answer his calling and take lead and take care amongst His other creations. Personally, I believe that being His steward fits us perfectly. We are honed, or it may in our nature to manage all other God-made resources in order for everyone and everything to survive.

5.  I definitely agree because I honestly think we are created to rule above all the other beings because we are the one most capable to reason and manage the resources well so that we may sustain life on earth. As for a piece of advice to others most especially to those of my age, do not be afraid to answer God’s call for it is always for the better. It may require a little sacrifice but I assure you that nothing will go to waste.