Un intento de aproximación a la imagen de Dios en el hombre según Wolfhart Pannenberg

Abstract

For Pannenberg the image of God in man consists of his destiny with respect to communion with God. The theme of this article is the intrinsic relationship between image and destiny, the fundamental consequence of which lies, in my opinion, with the concept of the human person as esse ad Deum, a being whose only explanation consists of being-for-God. This categorical truth found in the Old Testament notion of imago Dei is the object of particular scrutiny in this work, together with two of its implicit consequences: an unrestricted opening up to the infinite and the dialogic nature of the person. The classic Irenian distinction between image-model and imagecopy is examined as well. It was used by Pannenberg to show man’s destiny has been fulfilled in advance through the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, which is the key to adequate interpretation for dynamic consideration of the “divine image” in man.