Embodied Image of God: Evolutionary Anthropology in Theological Perspective

Abstract

A convincing theological anthropology has to be an interdisciplinary anthropology in theological perspective. Current research on the human phylogenesis as well as on our ontogenesis demonstrates that we become what we are in an intercorporeal exchange. The human being is an ultra-social animal. As embodied beings, human persons are not sovereign, yet they are free to show themselves ever anew. If we interpret Evolutionary Anthropology in a theological perspective, we can say: God has created the human being by evolutionary processes (firstly) as an ultra-social being, which is (secondly) free to show itself in a new manner and stand (thirdly) in risk to construct a strict in-group-out-group bias. With reference to these three points, the article argues that God wants humans to transcend their selfishness and their tendency to produce a common enemy by showing themselves in a new manner as persons who live in solidarity with those who have been injured, raped, exploited and destroyed. To be the image of God means to be called to communicate trust, hope, and love—and to build congregations and communities shaped by these attitudes. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Martin Breul and Caroline Helmus; individual chapters, the contributors.