Every vocation has its own foundation. As for the vocation of chaplaincy, its foundation is anchored on the Bible, and the interpretation of the words in the holy book. Although there are many relevant words from the bible, only the words expressed in Genesis 1:26-27 will be discussed this essay. The vocation of chaplaincy borrows a lot from Genesis 1:26-27; it gives an understanding of man’s uniqueness, and God’s plan to redeem man to a new creation made in his likeness.
For many centuries, Christians have held onto the belief that man is created in the image of God, and this informs the basis of their interactions with one another. This idea is anchored on Genesis 1:26-27. Genesis 1:26 states “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea. and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth”. Genesis 1:27 comes out clearly to show that God’s desire to make man in his own image was fulfilled, and man was given power over everything that is found on the earth.
Genesis 1:27 states “So God created man in his own, in the image of God created he man; male and female he created them”. These words ring true to chaplains, and they are trained to view people as unique creations. To them (chaplains), the two verses have an immense influence on the way they treat other human beings, and on the way they interact with one another. Chaplains, as well as Christians, understand that man is the most unique of all God’s creations, and this is because he has a material body and an immaterial soul/spirit.
The fact that man is created in the image of God means that human beings resemble God, and this image of God refers to the immaterial part of man. It sets mankind from the rest of God’s creations, and explains why man was given dominion over the earth. Chaplains know well that the power given by God to man reflects of God’s intellect and freedom, and this is the same message that they try to minister to their people.
Chaplains also understand that, morally, man was created in righteousness, and this is a reflection of God’s holiness. This is the reason why chaplains ask people to stay away from sin and repent when they fall short of God’s holiness. As the clergy always insist man is created as a unique being with morality, and this morality vested in man is brought to light through their conscience. Conscience is the moral compass which is a vestige of the original state, and this explains why people feel guilty when they sin or fail to abide by God’s word. In the same manner, people praise good behavior and encourage actions which reflect of God’s intentions because their conscience informs them that it is the right thing to do.
Again, chaplains insist on fellowship because fellowship is a manifestation of God’s triune nature and is one of the ways of expressing God’s love. The reason why God created the first woman is because it was important for the first man to have a companion, and through fellowship people demonstrate that indeed man is created in the likeness of God. As God’s unique creation, man has the capacity to communicate with God in spirit.
Chaplains know only too well that as God’s image man has the ability to make free choices, but the choices have to be aligned to God’s wishes. This is to avoid the mistakes made by Adam. Although Adam was created in a righteous nature, he made a bad choice and this separated him from his creator. Although the current generations bear the image of God, the damaged likeness has been passed down to all of the Adams descendants and the people still bear the scars of sin.
Nevertheless, all is not lost because God has a plan to redeem his people. God’s plan for redemption is through Jesus Christ, who is our savior. Jesus is the bridge between the sins that separate use from God, and his holiness. Through Jesus Christ everyone who believes in him has a chance to be made a new creation in the likeness of God. This is the message chaplains preach to their people, and it is anchored on the belief that we can redeem our image of God by accepting Jesus Christ as the savior of our lives.
For the believers, it is indeed true that man is made in the image of God. This is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it finds immense application in the vocation of chaplaincy. The words from Genesis 1:26-27 inform the chaplains to see man as a unique being given the capacity to take care of the other creations found on earth. Although Adam fell short of God’s expectations of him, the human race has a chance to redeem that likeness of God through Jesus Christ.
References
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. (2013). Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.
Retrieved June 28, 2013, from http://carm.org/kjv/Gen/Gen_1.htm
David, N. (2010). The Image of God. Bloomington. IN : Xlibris Corporation.
Ziebertz, H.-G. (2001). The Human Image of God. Leiden : Brill .
