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115
righteousness, wisdom and power—the straightedge to which we
must be shaped.‖ 164
Such knowledge, Calvin argued, could never be gained ―if
we look merely to ourselves and not also to the Lord, who is the
sole standard.‖ 165 Whereas, the Catholicism of Calvin‘s day taught
that man unaided by revelation could grasp his condition and
vestiges of the knowledge of God, Calvin argued that the man‘s
separation from God fundamentally ruined his ability to grasp his
true condition or to know God. Apart from God‘s Word, man‘s
pursuit of natural revelation was futile for he pursues an ―empty
image‖ devoid of the necessary content that comes only from God.
To man nature could only appear void of it true meaning for he
lacked the touchstone of God‘s Word that deciphers the true
essence of creation. The fault was not with nature, but with fallen
man whose ongoing distrust and disobedience had irreparably
distorted and confused his comprehension. That distortion flowed
directly from man‘s disobedience. Humankind was intended to
embody the image of God through obedience and trust in God‘s
command. Had man attended to God‘s Word, he would have been
able to ―boldly resort to Him and call upon him and seek succor at
his hand.‖ 166 In turn, God‘s Word would have allowed humankind
to transcend mere biological existence and gain celestial life
wherein the true image of God would have perfectly reflected its
creator.
Accordingly, the image of God was something to be realized
through dynamic interaction with God. Though the image of God
relied upon man‘s biological/psychological capacity, it was only to
be realized through man‘s trusting and obedient relationship with
God. Hence, the image of God in Calvin‘s view was attained
gradually and relationally. To be like God was to be in a relation
of love with God.
164 Institute I. 1. 2.
165 Ibid.
166 Ibid.