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Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World
144 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 29, 2025
This book is one of the best and accessible books you can find out there on the idea of all humans being image bearers and how we apply that to our daily lives. This book is targeted at older high school and college age readers. I think this would be an excellent study for one-one discipleship and small groups within this age range, though I think all Christians could benefit from reading this.
The focus and tone of the book throughout is one of joy and hope in being image bearers of God. The idea of us being living and breathing displays of God's glory and how we are to reign in His creation is so powerful and helpful for the culture and time we are living in now.
This book comes with a very pastoral tone that does not back down with the truth, but is very compassionate with the issues at hand, showing great nuance where it is needed. I was most impacted by the reminder that image bearing is the lens which we as followers of Jesus look through for all of life and discernment.
I love this line on page 48 in the section on community, "We are icons. It's not just what we do, it's who we are. Iconing together in community is such a needed word in today's world of self and individual expression. The idea of the fruits of the Spirit as the main way we live out being iconic was gold. We are new creations, created to do good works like it says in Ephesians 2:10.
The Gospel centeredness of this work is evident and the way that all books on the subject should be written. The flow was really readable and comes to a crescendo thinking about eternity as image bearers of God.
As with all of Mike's works he has been led by the Holy Spirit to write a work that will be a helpful resource for many, especially in the high school and young adults crowd. I would highly recommend this work and to be used to bring God the glory in helping understand how God has created us and views us as well.
The focus and tone of the book throughout is one of joy and hope in being image bearers of God. The idea of us being living and breathing displays of God's glory and how we are to reign in His creation is so powerful and helpful for the culture and time we are living in now.
This book comes with a very pastoral tone that does not back down with the truth, but is very compassionate with the issues at hand, showing great nuance where it is needed. I was most impacted by the reminder that image bearing is the lens which we as followers of Jesus look through for all of life and discernment.
I love this line on page 48 in the section on community, "We are icons. It's not just what we do, it's who we are. Iconing together in community is such a needed word in today's world of self and individual expression. The idea of the fruits of the Spirit as the main way we live out being iconic was gold. We are new creations, created to do good works like it says in Ephesians 2:10.
The Gospel centeredness of this work is evident and the way that all books on the subject should be written. The flow was really readable and comes to a crescendo thinking about eternity as image bearers of God.
As with all of Mike's works he has been led by the Holy Spirit to write a work that will be a helpful resource for many, especially in the high school and young adults crowd. I would highly recommend this work and to be used to bring God the glory in helping understand how God has created us and views us as well.
November 3, 2025
In Iconic, Mike McGarry explores what it truly means to bear God’s image in the world. He takes the concept of the imago Dei and thoughtfully applies it to the real-life issues and challenges that young people face today.
McGarry excellently addresses many of the same questions I’ve seen youth wrestle with in my own ministry—questions of identity, including sexuality and gender, as well as what it means to belong to the church and to live out a shared, corporate identity rather than one shaped by individualism. He writes with pastoral warmth, clarity, and nuance.
Images of God in Glory
One of the most striking sections of the book examines the idea of iconic righteousness. McGarry looks to Hosea as an icon of God’s steadfast love and challenges believers to confront sin and idolatry with both conviction and compassion. His reminder that truth must always be coupled with love feels especially timely in an age when many aspire to be modern-day prophets but often lack gentleness and grace.
The book concludes with a powerful reflection on the gospel—how we are called to imitate Christ and how, one day, we will be perfected as true images of God in glory. Iconic provides a compelling vision for young believers seeking to live out their faith in a complex world. It’s a call to see ourselves, and one another, as living icons of the God who created and redeems us.
I received a media copy of Iconic and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
McGarry excellently addresses many of the same questions I’ve seen youth wrestle with in my own ministry—questions of identity, including sexuality and gender, as well as what it means to belong to the church and to live out a shared, corporate identity rather than one shaped by individualism. He writes with pastoral warmth, clarity, and nuance.
Images of God in Glory
One of the most striking sections of the book examines the idea of iconic righteousness. McGarry looks to Hosea as an icon of God’s steadfast love and challenges believers to confront sin and idolatry with both conviction and compassion. His reminder that truth must always be coupled with love feels especially timely in an age when many aspire to be modern-day prophets but often lack gentleness and grace.
The book concludes with a powerful reflection on the gospel—how we are called to imitate Christ and how, one day, we will be perfected as true images of God in glory. Iconic provides a compelling vision for young believers seeking to live out their faith in a complex world. It’s a call to see ourselves, and one another, as living icons of the God who created and redeems us.
I received a media copy of Iconic and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews