In programming, recursion is when a function calls itself. A recursive function solves a problem by breaking it into smaller instances of the same problem, calling itself to solve those instances, until reaching a base case that can be solved directly.
Classic example: calculating factorial. Factorial of 5 is 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1. Recursively: factorial(5) = 5 × factorial(4), which = 4 × factorial(3), continuing until factorial(1) = 1 (the base case).
This self-referential structure is elegant but can be confusing. The function's definition includes the function itself. It solves by calling itself, which calls itself, which calls itself...
And it provides an interesting model for understanding humans as the image of God—we're beings whose nature includes reference to Another, defined partly through relationship with the One we image.
Self-Reference Without Circularity
Recursion appears circular but isn't. It terminates at the base case—the point where self-reference stops and actual value is determined.
Without the base case, recursion would be infinite—stack overflow, system crash. The base case grounds the self-reference in something non-self-referential.
Humans as God's image work similarly. We're defined partly through reference to God—made in His image, reflecting His character, finding purpose in relationship with Him. But God isn't defined through reference to us. God is the base case—self-existent, self-sufficient, the ultimate ground of all self-reference.
The Stack of Reference
Recursive calls build a call stack—each instance waiting for the next to return. The stack grows until hitting the base case, then collapses as each level returns its value.
Human existence might involve similar layers. I'm made in God's image. God is Father, Son, Spirit—eternal relationship within divine being. The Son images the Father. I image Christ, who images God.
There's a stack of imaging: God → Christ → humanity → individual persons. Each level references the one above, ultimately grounded in God's self-existent being.
The Autistic Systematic Mind
My autistic brain loves recursion's systematic elegance. Define a function in terms of itself with a base case, and complex problems become solvable through repeated simple steps.
This makes recursive thinking natural for me. I understand concepts defined through self-reference better than neurotypical people sometimes do.
But it also creates challenges. Infinite recursion (no base case) is maddening—the definition never terminates, the reference never grounds. I need closure, final answers, base cases.
Theologically, God as base case provides this. The chain of imaging terminates in God's self-existent being. I don't have to recurse infinitely—there's ultimate ground.
Image as Functional Relationship
Recursion isn't just structural—it's functional. Recursive functions do things, solve problems, produce outcomes through self-referential process.
Similarly, being God's image isn't just metaphysical fact—it's functional relationship. We image God by acting as His representatives, exercising dominion, creating, loving, reasoning. The imaging is active, not passive.
Just as recursive functions call themselves to accomplish their purpose, we reference God to accomplish ours. Our nature includes this functional relationship—we're not self-sufficient but find completion through reference to the One we image.
Base Case and Dependency
Recursive functions depend on their base case. Remove it, and the whole structure collapses into infinite loop.
Humans depend on God similarly. We're contingent beings—we don't have to exist. Our existence and continued functioning depend on being sustained by the One who is self-existent.
Some philosophies try to make humans the base case—we define ourselves, determine our own meaning, ground our own existence. But this is like recursion without base case—it never actually terminates in something solid.
Mutual Recursion
Sometimes functions are mutually recursive—function A calls function B, which calls function A. This creates interdependence between distinct functions.
The Trinity might involve something like mutual recursion. The Father, Son, and Spirit mutually define and reference each other within one divine being. Each Person is who He is partly through relationship with the other Persons.
This is mysterious—how can distinct Persons mutually define each other without circularity? But it's the Christian claim: God is eternally relational, Persons-in-relationship, unity-through-distinction.
Tail Recursion and Transformation
Tail recursion is when the recursive call is the function's last operation. This is more efficient—it can be optimized into iteration, transforming self-reference into loop.
Sanctification might work similarly. Initially, we consciously reference God—deliberate choices to image Christ, explicit dependence on grace. But over time, this becomes habitual—what began as conscious recursion becomes natural iteration, second nature.
We're being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)—recursive process of imaging Christ more fully, each iteration referencing the previous and looking to Christ, until eventually the process completes in resurrection.
Stack Overflow and Idolatry
Stack overflow happens when recursion goes too deep—the call stack fills memory and crashes the system. This occurs when there's no base case or it's never reached.
Idolatry is like stack overflow. We try to ground our identity in created things—career, relationships, achievement. But these aren't base cases; they're contingent like us. So we recurse through them without reaching solid ground, eventually crashing under the weight of misplaced ultimate reference.
Only God can be base case. Only self-existent being can ground the stack of contingent existence.
The American Self-Sufficiency Illusion
American culture prizes self-sufficiency—be self-made, self-determined, self-actualized. This is recursion claiming to be its own base case.
But we're not self-sufficient. We're contingent, dependent, derived. Pretending otherwise doesn't change reality—it just obscures the actual base case we depend on.
Christian theology is honest about dependency. We're created, sustained, redeemed—thoroughly dependent on God. This isn't weakness; it's reality. Acknowledging dependency is wisdom, not failure.
Return Values
Recursive functions return values—each level processes and passes back to the caller. The final return value emerges from the entire recursive chain.
Our lives similarly return value to God—lived well, our existence glorifies the One who made us, reflects His character, accomplishes His purposes. We're not just structured recursively—we're called to return appropriate value through our lives.
This happens through imaging—living in ways that accurately reflect God's character, exercising the capacities He gave us, fulfilling the purposes for which we were made.
Eschatological Base Case
One day, recursion completes. We'll no longer be in process of becoming—we'll be what we were meant to be. The stack will fully collapse into final value, transformation complete.
But even then, we'll remain images—distinct from God, dependent on God, referencing God. We won't become the base case; we'll perfectly reflect it.
Glorification isn't absorption into God (that would be removing the distinction between recursive call and base case). It's perfect imaging—contingent beings fully reflecting self-existent Being, creatures perfectly manifesting Creator's glory.
Practical Implications
- Acknowledge dependency: We're not self-sufficient; we need the base case
- Reference rightly: Image God, not created things
- Trust the process: Recursive transformation takes time
- Avoid stack overflow: Don't ground identity in contingent things
- Return value: Live to glorify the One you image
- Recognize limits: You're not the base case; don't pretend to be
- Look to Christ: The perfect image shows what imaging should look like
Conclusion
Recursion is elegant—functions solving problems through self-reference grounded in base cases. It works because there's something non-recursive to ultimately reference.
Humans as God's image work similarly. We're defined partly through reference to God, finding purpose through relationship with Him, becoming who we are through imaging who He is.
My autistic systematic thinking appreciates this structure. It's not circular—it terminates in God's self-existence. It's not arbitrary—it reflects our created nature as derived beings made to image divine being.
The stack traces from me, to humanity, to Christ, to God. Each level references the one above, until reaching the base case—self-existent God who requires no further reference.
This grounds everything. My existence, purpose, value, identity—all derive from imaging the One who is His own ground.
One day, the recursion completes. The stack fully collapses. The transformation finishes. And I'll be perfect image—not becoming God (that's impossible; I'm not the base case) but perfectly imaging Him (that's my purpose; I'm made for this).
Until then, recursive transformation continues. Each day calling on grace to image Christ more fully, each iteration referencing the pattern, each step depending on the base case that grounds it all.
Like well-written recursive function: elegant in structure, effective in function, properly grounded in ultimate base case—solving the problem of existence through self-reference that terminates in God.
Function image_of_god(human) { if (glorified) return perfect_reflection; else return image_of_god(transform(human, Christ)); }
Base case: glorification Recursive step: transformation referencing Christ Ultimate ground: God Himself
It's beautiful code. And we're running it, one recursive call at a time, until the function returns its final value: image perfected, purpose fulfilled, glory reflected.