If you're feeling frustrated and disheartened by the lack of progress in promoting human dignity and human rights, despite your efforts to bring about change through petitions, protests, and advocacy, then you are not alone! Instead of witnessing a tangible shift towards a more inclusive and just society, you may be encountering apathy, resistance, and even backlash, which can leave you questioning the effectiveness of your actions and the possibility of true transformation.
My special guest is Carmen Imes
A respected voice in theological discussions and publications, Carmen Imes's scholarship illuminates human dignity's divine origins. A distinguished associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University, her insights stem from comprehensive study and immersive experiences. Dr. Imes's works include the influential trilogy, with the latest installment titled Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (https://www.ivpress.com/being-god-s-image) . Beyond academia, Carmen shares her perspectives with a broader public, through platforms such as Christianity Today and the Politics of Theology blog. Life experiences in the Philippines and a strong commitment to enhancing human flourishing reveal her genuine passion for the subject.
• Visit her website and read her blog at carmenjoyimes.blogspot.com (https://carmenjoyimes.blogspot.com/) .
• Follow her on Twitter: @carmenjoyimes (https://twitter.com/carmenjoyimes) .
Diversity is not a bug, but a feature of creation, and God's intention is for us to live together in collaborative community with one another. - Carmen Imes
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Embrace a transformative journey of faithfulness in an evolving world.
• Unravel a well-rounded view of career and vocation in harmony with spiritual convictions.
• Investigate the power of adaptability in piloting life's changes without sacrificing integrity.
• Understand the essentiality of community in manifesting one's faith in real-life situations.
• Look into how to impact the world positively by demonstrating the values of the kingdom of God.
Refreshing exploration of faithfulness
Carmen Imes shines a light on the importance of exploring faith in a holistic manner. Tied to the overarching theme of human dignity and rights, her exploration of faithfulness permeates all aspects of life -- from academia to our daily interactions. By immersing ourselves in a diverse range of perspectives, we gain a more expansive understanding of faith, transforming both our own life experiences and our impact on society.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
• Visit the Biola University website to learn more about Dr. Carmen Imes and her work in Old Testament studies.
• Purchase Dr. Imes' book, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (https://www.ivpress.com/being-god-s-image) , to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of imago day and its implications for human identity and purpose.
• Explore Dr. Imes' previous book, Bearing God's Name, which delves into the significance of the name of God and its implications for our lives.
• Stay tuned for Dr. Imes' forthcoming book, which will further explore the topic of human dignity and its importance.
• Check out Dr. Imes' writing on Christianity Today, The Well, and Politics of Theology blog to engage with her thoughts and perspectives on various topics.
• Reflect on your own understanding of human dignity and how you can better recognize and affirm the inherent worth of every person you encounter.
• Educate yourself on the history of Christianity and the ways in which Christians have sometimes failed to live out the values of dignity and respect for all.
• Engage in conversations with people from different religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds to foster understanding and empathy.
• Challenge any biases
Our identity is not something that we self-construct or that we're responsible for coming up with ourselves or creating ourselves, but that it's given to us by God and that every human being is inherently valuable and has inherent dignity. - Carmen Imes
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction,
00:03:22 - Understanding Imago Dei,
00:06:35 - Christians and Mistreatment of Others,
00:10:00 - Acknowledging Mistreatment by Christians,
00:11:41 - Learning from Cross-Cultural Experiences,
00:16:44 - Celebrating Diversity and Different Perspectives,
00:18:03 - Lack of Representation in Theological Education,
00:20:48 - Addressing Human Rights Abuses in the US,
00:25:19 - The Value of Minority Perspectives,
00:28:49 - Embracing Equality and God's Design,
00:31:41 - The Original Vision for Creation,
00:32:38 - Loving Ourselves and Others,
00:33:41 - Microaggressions and Difficult Conversations,
00:34:14 - Benevolent Stewardship,
00:38:53 - The Restorative Power of Rest,
...
