Overview
Hoekema (1913–1988), a Reformed theologian, wrote this as a companion to his earlier The Bible and the Future. Here, he develops a biblical theology of what it means to be human — created in God’s image, fallen, and redeemed in Christ.
Structure
The book is divided into three parts:
Key Contributions
Criticisms
Recommended for
Theology students, pastors, and lay readers interested in a careful Reformed, biblical, and accessible systematic theology of humanity.
Hoekema would argue that how you seek knowledge reflects whether you’re living out the renewed image of God. Illegally downloading a book about the image of God would be ironic—claiming the content while denying the ethic.
Instead, pursue legal free access through libraries and lending. Read the summaries. Save for a used copy. And once you’ve read Hoekema, consider writing your own summary to help others avoid the risky “free PDF” hunt.
Final recommendation: Go to archive.org right now. Search “Created in God’s Image Hoekema” and borrow it legally for free. Then share this article with the next person who types that risky keyword.
Disclaimer: This article does not host or link to any copyrighted PDFs. It encourages fair use, library access, and legal purchase options.
The text you are looking for is actually a seminal book titled Created in God's Image (1986) by Anthony A. Hoekema. Accessing the Content
While the full copyrighted book is generally not available as a legal "free PDF" for download, you can access and read it through several digital libraries and research platforms:
Scribd: You can view the full document and potentially download it with a subscription or by uploading your own research documents to the platform.
Academia.edu: Provides various scholarly articles and summaries that analyze Hoekema's views on the imago Dei in detail.
Open Library: You can often "borrow" a digital copy for free with a registered account.
Logos Bible Software: Offers a highly functional digital edition for purchase and study. Core Concepts of the Book
In this work, Hoekema outlines a comprehensive Reformed theological anthropology, focusing on four distinct stages of the image of God:
The Original Image: How humans were first created in relationship to God, others, and nature.
The Perverted Image: How sin distorted but did not fully destroy the image.
The Renewed Image: The process of restoration through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
The Perfected Image: The final state of humanity in the afterlife. Hoekema, Anthony (Created in God - S Image) | PDF - Scribd
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Searching for a "free PDF" of Anthony Hoekema’s Created in God’s Image
often leads to unofficial or copyrighted uploads. To help you engage with this seminal work on biblical anthropology legally and effectively, Core Themes of "Created in God's Image"
Hoekema explores what it means to be human from a Reformed, biblical perspective.
The Imago Dei as Mirror and Ambassador: Humans are designed to reflect God’s character (mirror) and represent His authority on earth (ambassador).
Wholeness of Personhood: He argues that the image of God isn't just in the "soul" but includes the body. Humans are "psychosomatic" unities—both material and immaterial.
The Threefold State: The book tracks the image through three stages: Original Image: Humanity before the Fall. Perverted Image: The distortion of the image due to sin.
Renewed Image: The restoration of the image through Christ and grace.
Relational Nature: Hoekema emphasizes that the image is lived out in three relationships: toward God, toward others, and toward nature. Legitimate Ways to Access the Work Review: 'Created in God's Image' by Anthony A. Hoekema
While Anthony Hoekema's Created in God's Image is a copyrighted work and not legally available for free download as a full PDF, you can find significant excerpts, academic summaries, and study guides on platforms like ResearchGate
Below is a structured "paper" summarizing the core theological arguments and structure of Hoekema's work, which serves as a foundational text in Reformed theological anthropology. Eerdmans Publishing Co Summary of Created in God's Image by Anthony Hoekema 1. Core Thesis: The Imago Dei Key Contributions
Hoekema argues that being created in God's image is the central defining characteristic of humanity. He defines this "image" in two primary ways:
: Humans are designed to reflect God’s nature, character, and glory to the rest of creation. Representing
: Like an ambassador, humanity is called to represent God's authority and advance His program on earth. The Gospel Coalition 2. Structural vs. Functional Aspects
A key contribution of Hoekema is his distinction between the structural functional aspects of the image: Structural : What a human (possessing gifts like reason, morality, and language). Functional : What a human (acting in love toward God and others).
Hoekema maintains that while sin severely damaged the functional aspect, the structural image remains—though perverted—rendering humanity still accountable to God. Logos Bible 3. The Four Stages of the Image Hoekema traces the through the lens of redemptive history: The Original Image : Humanity as created in perfection. The Perverted Image : The image distorted, but not lost, after the Fall. The Renewed Image
: The ongoing restoration of the image in believers through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Perfected Image
: The final state of believers in glorification, where they will perfectly reflect God. 4. The Threefold Relationship
Hoekema posits that the image of God is expressed through a human's relationship to: : Absolute dependence and worship. : Living in community and love. : Exercising stewardship and dominion over the earth. Resources for Further Study Full Summary & Review : Detailed theological breakdowns are available on The Gospel Coalition TGC Review Brandon's Desk Brandon's Desk Review Academic Previews : You can view partial segments and table of contents on Logos Bible Software Logos Product Page ) or read uploaded summaries on , such as his views on the nature of sin unity of the person Hoekema, Anthony (Created in God - S Image) | PDF - Scribd
Created in God's Image: A Study of the Nature of Man
By: Anthony A. Hoekema
Introduction
The concept of humanity being created in God's image is a profound and complex theological topic that has been debated and explored throughout the history of Christianity. In his book, "Created in God's Image," Anthony A. Hoekema provides an in-depth analysis of this doctrine, examining its biblical foundations, theological implications, and practical applications. This write-up will provide an overview of Hoekema's work, highlighting key points and insights from his book.
The Biblical Foundation
Hoekema begins by examining the biblical basis for the concept of humanity being created in God's image. He notes that the phrase "image of God" (imago Dei) is found in Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (NIV) This passage establishes that humanity was created to reflect God's character, attributes, and nature.
Hoekema argues that the image of God is not limited to physical characteristics, but rather encompasses the entirety of human nature, including intellect, emotions, and will. He also notes that the image of God is not something that can be lost or destroyed, but rather it is a fundamental aspect of humanity that has been affected by the fall into sin.
The Nature of the Image
Hoekema dedicates several chapters to exploring the nature of the image of God in humanity. He discusses various views on the image, including:
Hoekema argues that the image of God is a complex and multifaceted concept that cannot be reduced to a single view. Instead, he proposes a comprehensive understanding that incorporates elements from each of these perspectives.
The Effects of the Fall
Hoekema examines the impact of the fall into sin on humanity's image-bearing nature. He argues that while the image of God is not destroyed, it is severely distorted and affected by sin. This distortion affects every aspect of human nature, leading to rebellion against God, self-centeredness, and a breakdown in relationships. Criticisms
The Implications for Humanity
The book explores the practical implications of being created in God's image. Hoekema discusses topics such as:
Conclusion
In "Created in God's Image," Anthony A. Hoekema provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the doctrine of humanity being created in God's image. Through his examination of biblical foundations, theological implications, and practical applications, Hoekema offers a rich and nuanced understanding of what it means to be human. This book is a valuable resource for theologians, pastors, and laypeople seeking to deepen their understanding of humanity's nature and purpose.
PDF Free Availability
While I couldn't verify the availability of a free PDF version of Hoekema's book, there are several online resources and libraries that offer access to this book. Some options include:
It is essential to note that accessing copyrighted materials without permission may be considered piracy. Therefore, I encourage readers to explore legitimate sources for obtaining the book.
Recommendations
For those interested in exploring the topic further, I recommend:
I’m unable to provide a detailed review of a PDF titled Created in God’s Image by Anthony Hoekema in the context of a “free” download, for several important reasons:
However, I can offer a detailed review of the book itself (based on its published content), and I can point you toward legal, low-cost, or library access options.
If you need the content without paying $25–35, you have excellent options:
Instead of hunting for an illegal PDF, search for “Anthony Hoekema created in God’s image chapter summary” or “Hoekema image of God threefold distinction.” You’ll find:
These resources give you 80% of the content without violating ethics or risking malware (many “free PDF” sites are laden with viruses).
If you need help finding a legal way to access the book (e.g., through interlibrary loan or a free trial of a theological ebook service), let me know. I can also provide more detailed notes on specific chapters if you tell me your focus (e.g., the fall, gender, eschatology).
Note: The exact phrasing "Created in God’s Image" is widely used in theological literature. Anthony A. Hoekema wrote a well-known book titled "Created in God's Image" (Eerdmans, 1986). Herman Bavinck also treats the imago Dei extensively in Reformed dogmatics. This report synthesizes key themes, historical background, theological arguments, and suggested further reading; it does not reproduce or provide unauthorized copies of copyrighted works.
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I’m unable to provide a direct PDF download or a full report on Anthony Hoekema’s Created in God’s Image, as the book is still under copyright (published by Eerdmans, 1986). Distributing free PDFs without permission would violate copyright law.
However, I can offer you a summary report of the book’s key content and themes, which you can use for study or reference.