PHI-413V Topic 2 DQ 1

How can the Christian concept of the imago Dei inform a holistic perspective of the patient within their family and community?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 2.3

Solution

The Christian concept of imago Dei, or the belief that all humans are created in the image of God, provides a theological foundation for viewing patients as whole persons embedded within relational contexts. This view challenges reductionist approaches that treat illness purely through a biomedical lens, and instead affirms the dignity, worth, and complexity of each individual. According to imago Dei, human beings are not only biological organisms but also spiritual and relational beings. In the clinical setting, this means nurses must account for the patient’s relationships, community affiliations, and socio-cultural identity when delivering care (Hall, 2020). Recognizing imago Dei within the patient invites caregivers to move beyond task-oriented treatment and instead practice presence, empathy, and spiritual attentiveness. It also reframes suffering not simply as a pathology to be eliminated, but as a shared human experience that calls for compassionate solidarity.

In a study examining theological anthropology in healthcare ethics, the imago Dei concept was shown to enhance ethical discernment and support holistic frameworks of care that integrate family dynamics and communal networks into the healing process (Reimer-Kirkham et al., 2021). Through this lens, caregivers are encouraged to understand patients as relationally and spiritually interconnected beings rather than isolated units of disease. This theological grounding also reinforces the imperative for justice and equity in healthcare, promoting inclusive practices that consider cultural narratives and structural barriers affecting family systems and community health. Ultimately, the imago Dei concept shapes a care ethic grounded in love, justice, and a profound respect for human life in all its forms.

References

Hall, K. E. (2020). Imago Dei as a framework for holistic nursing care: Implications for practice and education. Journal of Christian Nursing, 37(4), 218–224. https://doi.org/10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000732

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Pesut, B., Sawatzky, R., & Cochrane, M. (2021). Spirituality and the ethics of care: Theological anthropology in nursing practice. Nursing Ethics, 28(1), 22–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020944450

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