Little God’s Doctrine
Are we all gods?
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Many have interpreted the phrase “created in God’s image” to mean that we are in essence little gods? But this is simply not true, and it is an absurd presumption to consider ourselves in the same class as God.
The message of Genesis is that we are made in God’s image/likeness, i.e. we have a rational, moral nature, and have dominion over creation.
Being made in God’s image means we share certain aspects of His nature, such as moral reasoning and authority over creation, yet our reflection of Him is partial and limited
If it were true that human beings are “little gods,” then one would expect them to display qualities similar to those known to be true of God.
When the Bible speaks of the attributes of mankind, it states that we ‘fall short of the glory of God’.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
In addition, let’s look at the following attributes of God as compared to man.
What about Jesus’ statement Where He calls us gods?
John 10:34 (NKJV)
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?
As with Psalm 82:6, John 10:34 is often read out of context to imply that humans are divine or can achieve god-like status. This interpretation misses Jesus’ argumentative intent in the dialogue.
Psalm 82:6 criticizes leaders, such as those of nations or cities, for their unjust judgments and failure to protect the vulnerable, like the weak and fatherless.
In biblical times, specifically in Exodus, when individuals sought justice or resolution from their rulers, it was like seeking help from God. This is because these rulers were seen as representatives of God’s authority, a concept also echoed in Romans 13. Romans 13 emphasizes that governmental power is derived from God, positioning rulers as God’s earthly representatives.
If we look at the context of John 10, Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd to emphasize His unique relationship with His sheep (believers). As the chapter progresses, Jesus claims unity with the Father, indicating His divine nature: “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). This claim incited a strong reaction from the Jewish leaders, who were ready to stone him for blasphemy.
In response (John 10:34), Jesus references Psalm 82 to challenge the inconsistency of the Jewish leaders: if human rulers can be called “gods” in their authoritative roles without blaspheming, how much more appropriate is it for Jesus, given His works and mission, to claim His unique sonship and unity with the Father?
According to Jesus, if mere men can be called gods (whether that be human rulers/judges or heavenly beings) because they are judges, how much more should one who claims to be the Son of God, who has come directly from the Father, be recognized for His divine authority and unity with God? Jesus isn’t suggesting that humans possess divinity; rather, He’s exposing the inconsistency in the leaders’ accusations while affirming His unique identity as the Son of God.
By referencing Psalm 82, Jesus highlights that if human judges can be called “gods” in their limited roles, then His own claim to Sonship—backed by the works He performs through the Father’s authority—is entirely justified. This wasn’t an attempt to elevate humanity to divinity but rather to reveal His rightful place as one truly sent by God, bearing His authority in a way that no mere man could.
Jesus’ response leaves no room for misinterpretation: while we are made in God’s image, only Christ is one with the Father in essence and authority. His words remind us that, though we may bear God’s image, we are not gods; instead, we are called to recognize and honor the One who is.