The Corporate Dimension To The Imago Dei

Photo Credit: Jrtippins

From Richard Mouw's book, When The Kings Come Marching In: Isaiah and the New Jerusalem:

"One of the more fascinating proposals which has been made in theological discussions is the biblical notion of "the image of God" (imago dei) is that this image has a "corporate dimension." 

That is, there is no one human individual or group who can fully bear or manifest all that is involved in the image of God so that there is a sense in which that image is collectively possessed. 

The image of God is, as it were, parceled out among the peoples of the earth. By looking at different individuals and groups we get glimpses of different aspects of the full image of God.” 

(h/t to Destino Eric for the quote.)