Image Bearers: Restoring our identity and living out our calling

by Rachel Atkinson

Restoration is one of the basic building-blocks to Christian it affects the way we relate to God, to ourselves, and to others. When we allow God to restore us, shape us and refine us into the people we were made to be, we can enjoy His presence more fully, live more freely, and reflect His image more closely.

Drawing on the work of a close friend and counsellor, Ruth Miller, who died in 2013, Image Bearers has been inspired by Ruth's significant ministry of individual counselling and pastoral healing. Beginning with a theological framework for restoration, each chapter builds on the brokenness we experience in life - our anxieties, fear and failures - and equips us with spiritual practices to improve our prayer, evangelism and pastoral care, giving us a greater vision for God's restoration in our own lives.

Image Bearers is written for anyone wishing to grow into greater Christian maturity. In this joint venture, Rachel Atkinson and Michael Lloyd encourage us to live lives that are theologically grounded and practically applied; restoration cannot simply be taught but must be experienced, lived and modelled.

Genres: Christian

Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2023

Reviews

[Jillian B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing on the work of prayer counselor Ruth Miller, this book is a call to restoration. The first part lays out a theological framework for our roles as bearers of God’s divine image, while the second is more practical and therapeutic, and deals with healing our wounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The theology is robust and sound, and the lessons are easily applicable. I would definitely recommend this book to Christians seeking growth and spiritual healing.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Image Bearers is a book that will be read and reread. Rachel follows the path of Ruth Miller, who was a close friend and gifted counselor, in building a deep theological framework of restoration in God, spiritual practices that we can do for restoration, the emotional aspects of where we have been broken and the path back to restoration (mother love/father love are separate chapters worth reading and exploring), the brokenness we experience since the fall, and a practical way to help us navigate back towards the image we reflect of God's master plan. Not too deep that you can't follow, but very real and practical and echoes scripture as a solid foundation to build oneself back on. It even ends with pearls of Ruth's wisdom, gained over the years of her own ministry, that I recommend you definitely don't gloss over. Very well done, and highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Image Bearers is a book that will be read and reread. Rachel follows the path of Ruth Miller, who was a close friend and gifted counselor, in building a deep theological framework of restoration in God, spiritual practices that we can do for restoration, the emotional aspects of where we have been broken and the path back to restoration (mother love/father love are separate chapters worth reading and exploring), the brokenness we experience since the fall, and a practical way to help us navigate back towards the image we reflect of God's master plan. Not too deep that you can't follow, but very real and practical and echoes scripture as a solid foundation to build oneself back on. It even ends with pearls of Ruth's wisdom, gained over the years of her own ministry, that I recommend you definitely don't gloss over. Very well done, and highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Bex Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. I loved the way the authors explored how we're made in God's image, how it gets broken and how we can restore it. Providing both theological and practical guidance, this book offers real hope and an image of how we've been created to be.

[Bex Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. I loved the way the authors explored how we're made in God's image, how it gets broken and how we can restore it. Providing both theological and practical guidance, this book offers real hope and an image of how we've been created to be.

[Sarie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read. The idea is good, though the text comes off the textbook type. This is an amazing choice for Christians looking to learn more about identity.

[Carol Standish-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had had a book like this years ago. It provides an excellent framework on how to bear the image of God. Practical, deeply theological and worthy of reading more than once.