Black Man Theology

Written By Vada Hedgeman

I’m from South Central, Los Angeles, and I had gang affiliation early on. I grew up on Figueroa Street, which is an infamous prostitution area, in addition to being known for gang violence. As such, it was customary to witness two things: a prostitute attempting to meet her sex quota and a young man being met with aggression because he was not from the area. Most people I encountered were unaware that they were image bearers of God—including me.

When I got saved and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I began studying the Bible. When God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….” (Gen 1:26), he referred to all humanity. God did not put a caveat of which humans will be image bearers based on one’s sexual lust, greed, anger, or misplaced aggression. We were made because God desires to glorify Himself through us. Boom, it hit me. I, too, am an image bearer. I was not created to promote myself but to glorify the One who made me. 

In Isaiah 43, the prophet writes about God creating Israel for His glory. His words were, “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” (v.7). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). God created us to display His glory and a great way to start is to see His image bearers more like he sees them in all circumstances. As a follower of Jesus, I now understand this, and I aim to do so.

There is power in knowing that the sun is too bright for human eyes, yet it isn’t made in God’s image. Mountains are too large for human strength, but they are not made in God’s image. Birds are beautiful and seem to have their life figured out, but I am of more value than they (Matt 6:26). Glory to God!