For starters, it's worth pointing out the obvious: Humans weren't literally created to be the image of God. Meaning, God is not some old, fat dude with a long, white beard in the sky. If that were so, everyone who didn't look like Santa Claus would not represent the Imago Dei. We also don't literally look like God in the spirit. Hell, it's even a stretch to say humans are the image of God because we are creative and intelligent, or because we can choose to act against our instincts, as we are not the only creatures on earth or in the spiritual realm capable of being creative, intelligent, or heroic. 

Even the Bible rejects such as ideas. I mean, just read Ecclesiastes (specifically Ecclesiastes 3, but I'll reiterate that it's important to understand the full context of Scripture), or Hebrews and Psalm 8. Not only is it scientifically inaccurate to say humans are physically and/or mentally like God, it is also Scripturally inaccurate. 

Instead, from how I currently understand it, humans were chosen by God out of the rest of His creation to bear His image. As a result, we were able to advance far beyond any other animal on earth, and we will also judge the angels in heaven, and be served by them (in other words, our spirits are much more powerful than even God's highest angels, as not even the angels are the Imago Dei). 

To bear God's image doesn't mean we literally look or think like Him. It means that we are incredibly loved and valued by God, no matter who we are, and God wants us to be a part of His creative process. It means that we are creative and free as Him (although we're definitely not little gods ourselves, for God is infinitely more powerful than we'll ever be. As far as I'm aware, nowhere in Scripture does it say we'll ever possess the ability to speak things into existence, only that we'll judge the angels and rule over the earth).

We were brought into an unfinished world, as God intended us to be creative with Him (hence is why God never said creation was perfect, but instead called it very good). You see, in Genesis, the Hebrew word for "Subdue" (which is what God commanded humans to do to the rest of creation in Genesis 1:28), is not a gentle word. It literally means to step on the neck of creation, and completely contradicts the idea that T-rex was a peaceful creature who lived off of watermelons 6,000 years ago. 

Just based on that one word (although there are many others within Genesis and other biblical texts that imply violence), I see no reason why the idea of humans evolving from animals that lived millions and millions of years ago, would butt heads with Scripture. Shockingly, there was physical death long before Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they didn't bring the process of dying into the world. Physical death was already a thing, as is implied when God commanded humanity to multiply (which would quickly turn into an ecological disaster without death. Not to mention, eating certain plants, such as broccoli and cabbage, usually results in that plant dying, and cells are dying every second of every day. Without the death of cells, people couldn't grow up, heal wounds, or take a piss, resulting in all sorts of other issues). Instead, the communion Adam and Eve had with God in the garden was severed. 

In other words, Adam and Eve's fall created the possibility for someone to spiritually die, hence throwing Adam and Eve into an imperfect and unfinished world completely unprotected from it, and at great risk of ending up separated from God for eternity. And, as a result of that, anyone was, is, and will be at risk of spiritually dying. That is, to be separated from God forever and ever on their own volition. 

Now, I must admit, I'm not done wrestling with this idea (which is why I previously said my opinion on this may change in the future). This means that I am not a very reliable person to lean into regarding the question of what it means to be the Imago Dei, or any other major, complex spiritual question for that matter. I am merely trying to put into words what my feeble mind has managed to grasp from the big dogs of various academic circles. I am almost certain that I've butchered a lot of the answers to these big spiritual questions, and I'm damn sure I'll butcher many, many more explanations in the near and far future. My hope is that I'll merely plant seeds of curiosity in those who are willing to follow those questions down rabbit hole after rabbit hole. 

So, if you really want to know the answers to the ever-growing list of insanely difficult theological questions, ask the PhD's who have spent their lives studying this material. Not this idiot who barely managed to graduate high school. 

Anyway...