Imago dei and St. Basil

Twice within the same paragraph in Homily 9 Basil uses a form of the word theologia. Noteworthy here is that, even though the context is one in which Basil has promised to speak of the origin of humanity, he focuses on the Father and the Son. Further, it is not on the works or actions of creating humanity but rather on the identity of the Father and Son. Thus, he asks his listeners to consider what “in our image" means. Since it is in reference to the divine, it cannot mean a bodily shape but a special reference to the Godhead. Citing various New Testament passages that refer to Christ as the image of the Father, he emphasizes that intimate connection.—Early Christian Readings of Genesis One, page 316