Image of God

One road that is less travelled than most in theology is that dealing with people who have learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities). There seems to be some difficulty in accepting that there exist various implications when we say that 'man' (to use the generic term) is made in the image of God.

How many of you think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational'?
If we think that 'image of God' equals being 'rational' we then need to define what being 'rational' means. Do we meekly accept the Greek view of rational, and link it to the intellectual capacity of the human brain? Does that mean, therefore, that a person who has learning disabilities is not made in the 'image of God'? I hope we would say a loud No!

If persons who have learning disabilities are made in the image of God we have a responsibility to encourage them to learn what that means in all its fulness. What does that mean in relation to sin? What does that mean in relation to redemption? What does that mean in relation to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? What does that mean in relation to living in heaven?

To some extent the above may not be very problematic for those of us who are Reformed, or at least evangelical. However, what about the implications of helping those with learning disabilities to learn what being made in the image of God is in relation to their place within the Christian church today here on earth, and not just the church worldwide as some amorphous body, but the local church wherever you live, the church that you attend.

How do you relate to them on a Sunday?
How do you relate to them on every other day of the week?
What place do they have within the sacramental life of the church?
Do you recognise that those with learning disabilities have a need to be taught the Gospel, that the Good News needs to be introduced to them, and to be cared for through the various ministries of the church?
Do you recognise that they have a responsibility to be part of the evangelistic and ministry work of the church, that they have something to give and a responsibility to give it?

I would really be interested to know what you think.
I would not be surprised if you disagree with what you think my beliefs are. All I would ask is that you think and submit your thinking to God's Word, helping me to do the same. It is essential we apply ourselves to this. What will be asked of us when we are called home, or when Jesus Christ returns to this world?