God, Humanity, and Human Dignity (Imago Dei concept)
Christian concepts of the Imago Dei
Imago Dei is a concept derived from Latin which means the image of God. Biblically, the
Christians believe that they were created in the image of God (Peterson., 2016). However, it does
not necessarily mean the physical resemblance but the moral, spiritual, and intellectual ability.
This concept gives dignity and honor to all humans, regardless of their social, mental, or
economic status. It emphasizes the individuality everyone has and how special they are, which
discredit that one might be more human than the other. The imago Dei concept is supported in
the book of genesis of the Bible.
How it is important to healthcare, and why is it relevant.
Knowing that humans are created in the image of God, the healthcare workers want to
care for the sick in a dignified way and also provide a comfortable death for the dying. Nursing
emphasizes on the caring of the patient passionately, listening to them and be nonjudgmental or
biased regardless of their economic, socio-cultural, or political background (Austriaco., 2018).
The imago Dei concept that takes human beings are the image of God inspire nurses to see a
person as a sacred being who deserves not only quality care but also should be treated
holistically with respect and dignity. Because we are all made in the image of God, the care I
would want to get when I am sick is the same that I should provide to the patients as a nurse.
Imago Dei is relevant because it supports the legal system and human rights understanding. It
provides equity and quality in the provision of healthcare services.
References
Austriaco, R. N. P. G. (2018). The Suffering and Death of the Imago Dei: A Theological
Perspective for Palliative and Hospice Care. In Handbook of Pain and Palliative Care (pp.
807-817). Springer, Cham.
Peterson, R. S. (2016). Imago Dei as human identity: a theological interpretation. Eisenbrauns.
