Unleashing the Image of God
Discovering Your Identity, Purpose, Vocation, and Character
Will be published approx. on 3. November 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-5409-6904-0 (ISBN)
Description
Young adults today face an identity crisis. They can fill their social media bios with half a dozen labels, but they lack a coherent sense of self. Christian college students often feel a disconnect between the faith they profess and their everyday lives. It's no coincidence that these emerging adults struggle with their mental health and self-worth.
In this book, experienced educator Perry Glanzer combines original qualitative research and the Christian theological tradition to help readers rediscover their core identity: image bearers of God. Glanzer shows how embodying one's true self sheds light on one's purpose, vocation, and moral identity.
This brief yet profound guide frees readers from the burden of self-definition and empowers them to discover God's purpose for their lives.
In this book, experienced educator Perry Glanzer combines original qualitative research and the Christian theological tradition to help readers rediscover their core identity: image bearers of God. Glanzer shows how embodying one's true self sheds light on one's purpose, vocation, and moral identity.
This brief yet profound guide frees readers from the burden of self-definition and empowers them to discover God's purpose for their lives.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ada, MI
United States
Publishing group
Baker Publishing Group
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-5409-6904-0 (9781540969040)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Perry L. Glanzer (PhD, University of Southern California) is professor of educational foundations at Baylor University and resident scholar with the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion in Waco, Texas. He is also editor-in-chief of Christian Scholar's Review. Glanzer has authored, coauthored, or edited more than a dozen books on Christian education, including Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide and the award-winning Unifying Christian Higher Education in a Fragmented Age.
Content
Introduction
Part 1: Navigating the Buffet of Identities: Trying to Find Yourself in College
1. The First Problem with Losing Yourself: Losing Your Worth
2. The Second Problem with Losing Yourself: Missing or Disordered Purposes
Part 2: Our Original Identity and Purpose: Being and Bearing God's Image
3. Who Are You, Really?
4. Being and Bearing God's Image: What Christ Taught Us
Part 3: The Historical Consequences of Recognizing That All Humans Are Made in God's Image
5. The Image of God and Humanizing the Marginalized
6. The Image of God and the Transformation of Education
7. The Image of God, Political Liberty, and the Abolition of Slavery
Part 4: The Image of God and Contemporary Application
8. Recognizing Our Own and Others' Human Worth and Dignity
9. Our Motivation for Bearing God's Image: Responding to God's Excellence
10. The Image of God and Our Purpose: Identity Excellence
11. The Process of Acquiring God's Virtues
12. Bearing God's Image Through Excellence in Specific Sub-Identities
Conclusion
Postscript for Professors, Administrators, and Student Life Staff
Index
Part 1: Navigating the Buffet of Identities: Trying to Find Yourself in College
1. The First Problem with Losing Yourself: Losing Your Worth
2. The Second Problem with Losing Yourself: Missing or Disordered Purposes
Part 2: Our Original Identity and Purpose: Being and Bearing God's Image
3. Who Are You, Really?
4. Being and Bearing God's Image: What Christ Taught Us
Part 3: The Historical Consequences of Recognizing That All Humans Are Made in God's Image
5. The Image of God and Humanizing the Marginalized
6. The Image of God and the Transformation of Education
7. The Image of God, Political Liberty, and the Abolition of Slavery
Part 4: The Image of God and Contemporary Application
8. Recognizing Our Own and Others' Human Worth and Dignity
9. Our Motivation for Bearing God's Image: Responding to God's Excellence
10. The Image of God and Our Purpose: Identity Excellence
11. The Process of Acquiring God's Virtues
12. Bearing God's Image Through Excellence in Specific Sub-Identities
Conclusion
Postscript for Professors, Administrators, and Student Life Staff
Index