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John Frederic Kilner
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Dignity and Destiny: Humanity in the Image of God Paperback – January 8, 2015

by John F. Kilner (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
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Magisterial, up-to-date study of human beings in the image of God
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  1. Print length
    414 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
  4. Publication date
    January 8, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.04 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780802867643
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802867643
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith
"An important recent study of what it means to be created in/according to God's image. . . . Deserves a wide readership."

Theological Studies
"Anyone interested in theological anthropology, interpretations of imago Dei, or theological ethics would benefit from this text."

Christine D. Pohl
— Asbury Theological Seminary
"John Kilner's comprehensive and engaging work brings fresh insight to a central but often misunderstood and misused concept. His careful biblical, theological, and moral reflection on being in the image of God is exceptional — a major contribution to the discussion."

Dennis P. Hollinger
— Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"This masterful treatment of the image of God is not abstract theology removed from everyday reality; rather, as Kilner shows, what's at stake is human dignity in every sphere of life. A clear and cogently argued work that will become the major source for future explorations of the topic."

Sondra Wheeler
— Wesley Theological Seminary
"In this richly documented text John Kilner makes a case for the theological centrality and historical impact of the idea that humans are made in the image of God - for good but also for ill. . . . All readers will be enriched by Kilner's thoughtful argument and challenged by his exploration of the potency of an idea."

Scott B. Rae
— Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"The most exhaustive study of the image of God of which I am aware. . . . I especially appreciate Kilner's Christological emphasis. . . . This will become the new standard reference work on the subject, particularly given its rich documentation throughout."

Brent Waters
— Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
"A masterful book on the important biblical concept of the imago Dei, which has too often received cursory treatment. The breadth and depth of Kilner's scholarship are impressive, and his carefully crafted work is simultaneously astute and engaging. . . . Students and theologians will be consulting his Dignity and Destiny for years to come."

Erin Dufault-Hunter
— Fuller Theological Seminary
"Kilner carefully demonstrates how theological convictions about the image of God matter profoundly for Christian life and witness. . . . Convincingly shows how poorly conceived or sloppy exegesis not only hampers an individual's love for God and others but also creates an ethos that reinforces broad injustices ranging from racism to disregard for those with disabilities."

Daniel R. Heimbach
— Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"A well-analyzed, nicely written study of the single most important truth undergirding respect for human life. . . . Our society, including the church, has a spotty record dealing with moral challenges — racism, poverty, gender roles, abortion — which are skewed by distorted views of what it means for us to bear the image of God. Kilner's book gives a soundly biblical understanding that can address these shortcomings."

Themelios
"Dignity and Destiny is a masterful treatment of the imago Dei doctrine. John Kilner, in this magnum opus, advances the discussion through careful historical and biblical research on one of the most significant and complicated areas in the history of theology."

Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability
"Readers of this book should expect to be challenged. They will likely recognize ways in which they themselves have spoken about the imago Dei — ways which turn out to be inadequate, inaccurate, and (in some cases) even harmful. If taken seriously, the argument of this book has potential to catalyze a major paradigm shift in how the church thinks about, speaks of, and acts in regard to the image of God — with powerful implications for its interactions with various marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities."

Books at a Glance
"A rich treatment of the theological doctrine of what it means for all humankind to be created in, and bear, the image of God. . . . Kilner has produced a very fine, scholarly work that is quite obviously well researched, will prominently stand out in the literature on the imago Dei, and will be a valuable asset for the church."

Fred Sanders
Christianity Today
"Kilner handles the doctrine of imago Dei in a way that has been badly needed. Carefully holding the doctrine to its foundations in Scripture, he painstakingly documents a host of unwarranted extrapolations that theologians and preachers have let themselves construct. What's left after his thorough work of demolition? Plenty. The way has been cleared for the doctrine of the image of God to help guide our thinking about human nature."

Midwest Book Review
"A powerful survey that will attract theologians and Christian readers interested in philosophical and spiritual reflection."

About the Author

Director of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity inBannockburn, Illinois.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0802867642
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (January 8, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 414 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780802867643
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802867643
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.04 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

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John Frederic Kilner

John Frederic Kilner

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Les Bridgeman
5.0 out of 5 stars Important and Exhaustive
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Scholars have been debating the meaning of God's image for the past two millennia. What is it exactly? Does it refer to unique human traits, such as our ability to reason or rule over other creatures? And how did sin affect this image?

Contrary to many key thinkers in Christian history, Kilner roots his view in clear New Testament statements, which assert that Christ is the image of God:

• "they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4)
• "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Col. 1:15).

The image of God, then, is the blueprint or model in which we were created and that blueprint is Christ. The preposition is vital. We were made in God's image, but we are not God's image. Christ is.

Consequently, the image of God should not be equated with distinct human qualities. All of us, regardless of our abilities, were made in this image. It's a fact that can't be changed by what we do. So what has sin done to the image? Nothing. The standard remains pure and untouched. Of course, sin has damaged, marred, tainted, or broken us, but not the image in which we were made.

While the image of God takes us back to creation, it also takes us forward to our destiny—the transformation of our bodies to be like Christ's resurrected body. Only then will the blueprint plans be completed. In the meantime, we are being continually transformed to conform to the unchanging image.

Throughout the book the author aptly highlights the practical implications, both good and bad, of various ideas of the image of God.

Dignity and Destiny makes a vital contribution to the topic, but it is exhaustive and, at times, exhausting. The first chapter alone has 283 footnotes! I hope it can be transformed into a condensed version.
One person found this helpful
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Neil Craigan
5.0 out of 5 stars I was hoping to find some useful material for my Doctor of Ministry thesis
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
I picked up this book shortly after it came out. I was hoping to find some useful material for my Doctor of Ministry thesis. What I found was the best book I've read on the imago Dei. Kilner builds a solid theological concept grounded in the history of this doctrine. He takes the time to explain the approaches of other theologians before sharing where he feels they have weaknesses in their theory and then he posits his own approach.

Most definitely worth reading.
12 people found this helpful
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Michael
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
This was an above average book. Had a great thoughts and a lot of good theological wisdom. The major problem was it was way too long. It was only long because the author kept repeating his original thought- humanity is made in the image of God-which has not been damaged. Kilner does a great job talking about the resurrection. Good book, it would hav been great without the repetition (I just did it, can you see how annoying it is?)
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Daniel Diss
5.0 out of 5 stars i resent being forced to write stuff
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
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i resent being forced to write stuff
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ep
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
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OK
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Justin Epps
4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
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Thorough, but quite dry. Never truly provides a clear support for his thesis after demonstrating the flaws in opposing views.
3 people found this helpful
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colossal
4.0 out of 5 stars A true reference work on the Image of God, for the theologian
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
This title is important work on the Biblical concept of the Imago Dei, It truly could be considered the reference work on the Image of God. Nearly 70 pages of reference sources and at least a third of each page are the footnotes and explanation of John F Kilner, who is the endowed Franklin Forman Chair of Christian Ethics at Trinity International University. As the church librarian with little background in Christian doctrine, I found it to be a very hard read, it is a reference work for the serious student. Many misunderstandings about what it means to be created in God's image have wreaked devastation throughout history, and this author tackles every one of the major events in history and their relation to this study.

People from the beginning of time have tried to place themselves in God's place and role the world, whether it is to justify slavery, or find fault in imperfect people like women, disabled, different cultures, native cultures. These attempts of sin to dispose people to dispose other by placing themselves in the "Image of God". Romans 8:29 stated that "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, and that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

What a thought provoking study. I wish I had the background to appreciate this fine work. It was interesting as far as I could understand it.
11 people found this helpful
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