About

Join us this week as we start to wrap up our series on The Image of God with Dr. Lynneth Renburg, an Assistant Professor of History at Anderson University in South Carolina. In the intro of the episode (1:00-3:49) Lukas and Jae give an overview of some of the things we talk about in this conversation including the twisting of the Image of God for Power, anti-semitism, the Church’s treatment of slaves and women, and how we often abuse the Dominion that God has given us. In the first part of the episode (3:59-8:47), Dr. Renburg tells us a little bit about herself, her field of study and teaching, and what she did her dissertation on. In this next part of the episode (9:13-21:47) we talk about the ways that humanity has viewed the Image of God as a means to Oppression and Power throughout history. We walk through Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel and further discuss the roles of Jealousy and Power in the Oppression of the Image of God. We talk about ways that we twist the Power the Image gives us which in turn leads to the devaluing of the Image in others. We discuss the Tower of Babel, the Slavery of the Israelites in Egypt, and we talk about how rulers of the ancient world often thought that they were gods, descendant from gods, or given Power directly from the gods. Dr. Renburg mentions that this means, even for us as modern Christians, we are faced with a choice—will we look at others as fellow Kings and Queens marked by a Divine Image or will we see them as resources to be taken advantage of? “Once we lose sight of the importance of the Image of God, it is easy to forget the reasons for living in a way that reflects the Image of God.” The Image is what gives us value, not our own talents or status. When it is your base, it puts everyone on an equal playing field and acts as a unifying force between everyone. Dr. Renburg brings up the Mayan creation narrative and how that further reinforces the longstanding view of humans as expendable resources. If we think of Christ as the perfect Image of God, part of being is setting aside Power and Privilege to care for and help the Oppressed. In the final part of the episode (22:07-51:03), Dr. Renburg talks about the ways that the early (and modern) Church has dealt with Oppression well and poorly. She talks about the early Church as being a “church of slaves and women” and using the Image of God to defend the Oppressed, give value to the marginalized, and give a voice to the silenced. Unfortunately, the Church has also done the opposite. When the Church becomes a public entity in the Holy Roman Empire we see secular and pagan philosophy unhealthily seeping into Church practice. Dr. Renburg talks about twisted views of the Image of God in women and Jews both in the Church and in the public eye. We talk about the dehumanization of others as justification for Oppression. We close out by talking about the misperception of the Dominion that God has given us over Earth and how it actually looks to do that well. Dr. Renburg urges us to consider what things are actually for the right reason and what just sounds like it. She pushes people to ask of anything: “Is this truly reflective of Christ in the means as well as in the ends, and if not, is this reflective of Christ at all?” We call ourselves and our audience to uphold the teachings of Christ, to stand up for the Oppressed, and to bring God’s Kingdom to Earth through our treatment of others and recognition of them as fellow Kings and Queens. For more information on what we're all about here at The Audibility Podcast, go ahead and check out our website https://audibilitypodcast.com, and to get connected with us follow us on Instagram, @audibilitypodcast.