Chapter 2 – The Wild One Whose Image We Bear

[Jerry Wierwille]

Quotes
“A man has to know where he comes from, and what he’s made of.” (p. 21)

“Telling me to be like him [Mr. Rogers] feels like telling me to go limp and passive.” (p. 22)

“He [William Wallace] reminds them [the Scots] that a life lived in fear is no life at all, that every last one of them will die some day.” (p. 23)

“Almost every page [of the OT] tells us about God’s warring activity.” (p. 25)

“God is a person who takes immense risks.” (p. 30)

“But if a man is only tender, we know something is deeply wrong, and if a woman is only fierce, we sense that she is not what she was meant to be.” (p. 38)

Response
There is something deep inside each of us, men and women, that originates in the very character of God himself. First, God is a warrior who fights for and defends his people. Francis Fangipane said, “Rescue is the constant pattern of God’s activity.” God has been fighting a battle and has taken great risks with us. As Eldredge says, “It’s not the nature of God to limit his risks and cover his bases” (p. 31). God does not control anyone but has given humankind free-will and has fought for us since creation. God wants us to see that we have a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and beauty to fight for in this world. Men reflect God’s fierce and risk-taking approach to life that does not baulk at trouble, opposition, or challenges but rises to meet them and prove that he is capable to pass the test.

But also, God is romantic, kind, and delicate. If anyone reads Song of Solomon, it cannot be helped but sense the emotional desire and love that is described. God desires to be a beauty we love and pursue, and women reflect God’s desire to be loved. A.W. Tozer said, “God waits to be wanted.” God desires to be our priority, the center of our pursuit, the one we long for a relationship with. Women reflect this same desire and deep down they long to be the one somebody wants just as God longs to be the one that we want.

As men and women, we were created to bear God’s image. As men we bear God’s fierce, wild, and passionate heart. A heart that does not fear taking risks, putting it all out on the line, and facing giants with nothing but a sling and a stone. As women, we bear God’s beauty, mystery, and tender vulnerability. Women reflect God’s desire to unveil beauty, to be pursued and loved, and to be desired and captivating. If we are to reclaim our hearts, we must first know whose image we bear and what he has placed within each one of us that reflects his glory and majesty.

[David Enniss]

This topic goes back to the meaning of “image and likeness of God.” I had been taught to believe this image and likeness was solely and distinctly spirit. Humans having a body and a soul, but also a spirit.  I was taught that the only difference between human and animal was that we originally were designed with spirit.  This is obviously cannot be the only true distinction. There are far more aspects of man and woman that differentiate them from animals. Humans have the distinct ability to reason, and are far more complex in their behavior than any animal. Additionally, they have free-will choice, just as God did, and have the ability to function outside of their design.

But in regards to Eldredge’s writings, we were originally created to have many of the same attributes as God did. We were to reflect His image, His personalities. It seems accurate to claim that God embodies the three characteristics described by both the masculine and feminine hearts. “What is she telling me about God? I know he wants to say something to the world through Eve… …God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone.” God’s nature is reflected through His creation. It is intriguing to read the bible from that perspective: Battle to fight, beauty to rescue, adventure to live, Worthy of being fought for, Desired and loved and pursued, and He desires His beauty to be unveiled.

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