BEING GOD'S IMAGE: WHY CREATION STILL MATTERS. By Carmen JoyImes. Foreword by J. Richard Middleton. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2023. Pp. xii + 231. Paper, $22.00.

While all theology is contextual and culturally contingent (and this especially seems to be true when the proponents of a given theology think this is not the case), Imes's work is an excellent example of what is usually called biblical theology. Biblical theology is not systematic theology but is based more solidly on the biblical texts themselves (or at least tries to be) and is typically more aware of its own cultural contingency. Moreover, because she has lived and worked not only in North America (the USA and Canada in her case) but also in the Philippines, she has had an opportunity to get out of the monocultural and monolingual silo that most North Americans live in (including, sadly, far too many theologians and biblical scholars). This book is written inclusively for a general audience. This necessarily prevents her from presenting technical discussions that might help other scholars, but it also results in an unpretentious and accessible writing style. Though more of a popular text than expected from an imprint with the word “academic” in the name, Imes's underlying scholarship is visible and delightful. Her handling of the biblical languages is responsible (especially for Hebrew). She emphasizes that it is appropriate to speak of humans being created “as the image and likeness of God” and that to “talk about being God's image (rather than being made in God's image) reinforces the concept that the imago Dei is essential to human identity rather than a capacity that can be lost.” (The short technical discussion on this point, though set apart from the main text in a textbox, is cogent). Being God's Image offers an important theological correction to those who disregard the importance of what is sometimes called ecotheology. Contrary to popular anti-Anthropocene trends in some circles, Imes argues that “humans are the climax of God's creative work and the crown of creation” but continues to say that “Jesus models for us how to appropriately exercise God's rule over creation.” She notes that “as we care for our corners of the world, bringing order and sowing hope, we bring honor to our Creator and fulfill our calling as humans, side by side” and insists that “God's intention was for us to live in intimate fellowship with God and with each other, maintaining order as we steward the resources of creation so that all may flourish.” Besides these themes, this book also gently challenges and corrects hierarchical and patriarchalist assumptions. Most importantly, I learned things from Imes. Qoheleth long ago observed that “of the making of books there is no end.” For those of us who read many books, it is a common experience that many otherwise excellent books do not offer anything new. This book—like Imes's earlier Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters (2019)—does. I highly recommend it.

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