In God's Image

How Western Civilization Was Shaped by a Revolutionary Idea

Tomer Persico

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Hardback

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English

New York University Press
22 July 2025

The Arts: General & Reference; Social & cultural history; Philosophy; Christianity; History of ideas

The idea that all human beings were created in God's image was core to the creation of the modern West

In God's Image examines the central role that the idea that all people were created in the image of God played in the development of Western civilization. Focusing on five themes—selfhood, freedom, conscience, equality, and meaning—the book guides the reader through a cultural history of the West, from ancient times through modernity. It explains how each of these ideals was profoundly influenced by the central biblical conception of humanity's creation in God's image, embracing an essential equality among all people, while also emphasizing each human life's singularity and significance.

The book argues that the West, and particularly Protestant Christianity, grew out of ideas rooted deeply in this notion, and that it played a core role in the development of individualism, liberalism, human rights discourse, and indeed the secularization process. Making the case for a cultural understanding of history, the volume focuses on ideas as agents of change and challenges the common scholarly emphasis on material conditions. Offering an innovative perspective on the shaping of global modernity, In God's Image examines the relationship between faith and society and posits the fundamental role of the idea of the image of God in the making of the moral ideals and social institutions we hold dear today.

By: Tomer Persico
Imprint: New York University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 680g
ISBN: 9781479835713
ISBN 10: 1479835714
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 22 July 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Tomer Persico is a Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, and a Senior Research Scholar at the UC Berkeley Center for Middle Eastern Studies. He is the author of The Jewish Meditative Tradition (Hebrew) and Liberalism: Its Roots, Values, and Crises (Hebrew).

Reviews for In God's Image: How Western Civilization Was Shaped by a Revolutionary Idea

Erudite and well-reasoned, an illuminating and expansive look at the interplay between faith and society. * Publishers Weekly * Persico makes a powerful case that imago Dei is central to the tradition of true liberalism. Those who believe liberalism is in fact human need to ponder and reply. -- Deirdre McCloskey, author of Why Liberalism Works: How True Liberal Values Produce a Freer, More Equal, Prosperous World for All To successfully trace the journey of a central idea through time requires learning, passion and clarity. All three are on display in Tomer Perisco's important and provocative book. -- Rabbi David Wolpe, author of David: The Divided Heart