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We are all very excited for you to join us this week as we kick off our series on The Image of God with Dr. Channing Crisler, an Associate Professor of New Testament at Anderson University in South Carolina. In the intro of the episode (0:56-3:18) Lukas and Jae talk about their thoughts on recording this episode and give the arc and purpose for the next few episodes in the series.  At the start of the discussion (3:28-11:47) Dr. Crisler tells us a little bit about his doctoral thesis, an observation of Paul's use of Old Testament lament language in the letter to the Romans, as well as a little bit about himself. We break down Genesis 1-3 to talk about the Creation and Fall of Man in light of the Image of God, and think about the fact that even after humanity's big and continual mistake, we still bear the Image.  In the next part of the episode (12:14-30:13) Lukas and Jae pick Dr. Crisler's brain about what the Image of God actually is and our responsibilities within that. Is it the ability to Relate and Reason? Is it to hold Dominion over God's Creation and rule in His stead? We consider the Image in tandem with the Likeness of God and we discuss the communicable attributes of God, the attributes He shares with mankind—Love, Reason, and Dominion. We break down the ways that the New Testament reflects on the Image and the Likeness and if we let Paul guide us through the conversation (Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 15), this becomes less of a Philosophical conversation, and more of a Christological conversation. Even before the Fall, there is something there that bears the stamp of a crucified and risen Christ. To bear the Image is to reflect the suffering and glory of Jesus, and that looks like Faith and Love.  In the final part of the first episode of this new series (30:37-41:11), we take a look at the difference between being an Image Bearer and bearing the Image. After the Fall bearing the Image became a burden; we think about how humanity has become the perpetrators and the victims of this distortion. This is reflected not only in how we act with each other, but also in how we interact with God. In the conclusion, Dr. Crisler gives us all a call to action in light of the Image of God in every one of us. We need to act upon this Divine Mark in us in a Loving and Just way. For more information on what we're all about here at The Audibility Podcast, go ahead and check out our website https://audibilitypodcast.com, and to get connected with us follow us on Instagram, @audibilitypodcast.