Religion and the Realist Tradition
Religion and the Realist Tradition Essay
Religion and the Realist Tradition Essay

Week 2 discussion

What is the Christian concept of the imago Dei? How might it be important to health care, and why is it relevant?
‘Imago Dei’ is the Latin translation for ‘Image of God’. It is a concept found in the biblical story of creation. The concept has two connotations. The first connotation is that humans are the self-actualization of God who created them. The second connotation is that God cares for humans. To say that humans are created in the image of God is a recognition that God is made manifest in humans thus enabling them to have special qualities that set them above other creations. Unlike other creations, humans have a rational structure that includes the capacity for deliberation and free decision-making that offers them freedom to be complete and centered thus supporting their self-actualization and participation in the sacred reality that everything is the will of God. In essence, humans who have the awareness that they are created in the image of God must recognize that they are instruments through which God’s intentions, purposes and plans are made known and actualized. Interpreting this awareness from a health care perspective would indicate that humans are co-creators with God since they help in actualizing God’s plan. Through providing health care, medical personnel act on God’s intention to heal, thus identifying them as instruments through whom God’s will is manifested (Bruyneel & Padgett, 2003; Demacopoulos &‎ Papanikolaou, 2016). Religion and the Realist Tradition Essay

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According to your worldview, what value does a human person have? How does your position affect your stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research?
According to my worldview, the value of every human being is determined by how well they do God’s will. Humans were created to serve, learn and live through God’s word. All humans have the capacity for deliberation and free decision-making. As such, every individual is responsible for stance taken on controversial decision making. Overall, humans must be guided by God’s word (the Bible) when making such decisions, and should ensure that whatever decision is made reflects the personal awareness and acceptance of the sacred reality. Irrespective of the perceived costs and benefits, every decision must reflect what is perceived as God’s intention (Troy, 2014).

References

Bruyneel, S. & Padgett, A. (2003). Introducing Christianity. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Demacopoulos, G. &‎ Papanikolaou, A. (2016). Christianity, Democracy, and the Shadow of Constantine. New York, NY: Fordham University Press.

Troy, J. (ed) (2014). Religion and the realist tradition: from political theology to international relations theory and back. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Religion and the Realist Tradition Essay