Though I am a Six Day Creationist, I want to acknowledge the value of "just believing in creation." In other words, many people (Christians and non-Christians) believe that God made the universe in general and life in particular, yet do not accept the various details recorded in Genesis 1-2. Before explaining why I think the details do matter, allow me to emphsize the common ground shared by all people who believe that God is Creator.
Why "Creation in general" matters. If God is Creator...
1) Life has a purpose. If life arose through a random, natural process, life is meaningless. Only created things have purpose, meaning, telos, end.
2) Time is linear. The view of many religions that history is cyclical destroys all incentive toward cultural and intellectual progress. Cultures with such a view of time stagnate, since nothing anyone does can actually make a difference. But if the universe has a definite beginning point, our decisions and actions affect the future and therefore matter.
3) God is not one of us. This sounds a bit strange, but most ancient religions viewed the gods as part of our world. There existed no fundamental difference between the human and the divine. The Creator-creature distinction results in a radically different view of God. He is transcendent, set apart, possessing being as part of his very essence.
4) God possesses an absolute right to command us, judge us, and dispose of us and all our circumstances as he sees fit. If God is Maker of all things, visible and invisible, he is a debtor to no man, owing us nothing. We have (and can have) no claim upon him. No one has ever given to God that God should repay him. It is literally impossible for God to be unfair.
5) Likewise if God is Maker of all things, we have no right to complain about anything, or charge God with wrongdoing, or get bent out of shape, put out, feel imposed upon, etc., if God does not give us what we want when we want it. Any sort of bad attitude presupposes that God owes us something, that we are entitled or have a right to something that God is withholding. The doctrine of Creation forever destroys all notions of entitlement. God is free to do with us as he sees fit. No one can charge him with wrongdoing or say to him, "Who do you think you are?"
6) All religions are not basically the same. The creation myths of various religions show the gods (or nowadays, aliens) making the universe and life out of pre-existent matter. In other words, gods and/or aliens simply rework the basic elements that have always existed apart from their creative act. But the Biblical doctrine of creation is creation ex nihilo, creation from nothing. God spoke the universe into being. Before God created space, matter, energy, physical forces, etc., only God existed. Don't let the pluralists get away with saying all religions are the same. They are not.
7) We understand why all men possess an inherent need to worship. Because we are creatures, worship is hardwired into us. It is literally impossible for a human not to worship. The question is only ever a matter of what we will worship: our Creator, or a substitute. But the actual act of worship is unavoidable. To say it somewhat differently, only the doctrine of creation explains why we are the way we are. Thus apart from the knowledge of God as Creator, it is impossible for us to understand ourselves.
8) We have an explanation for why "general revelation" works. Romans 1 teaches that we learn about God's "invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature" through our observation of the world around us. The creation teaches us about God because that is what it is: creation! There is no such thing as "nature" or the "natural world." There is only God's world. All of it is made by him, sustained by him, and governed by him. Thus every bit of the creation teaches us something about the God who created it. Indeed, through our study of the world in general and ourselves in particular, we learn enough about our Creator's righteous requirements as to render all of us without excuse for our rebellion against him.
Perhaps you can think of other ways in which the doctrine of "creation in general" profits its advocates. If you do not agree with the details of Genesis 1-2, yet nevertheless believe that God is your Maker, you at least enjoy the eight benefits listed above.
But Genesis 1-2 does give us specific details about how and when God made all things. I believe these details matter.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Joshua as a Type for Christ
God chooses the name Joshua for his Son (Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua). So in God's mind, Joshua is obviously an OT type for Christ. The question is how.
Most OT types commit some sin that demonstrates to everyone that they are not the promised Seed. Jacob falls into a stubborn despairing depression after hearing that Joseph is dead, Moses refuses to honor God as holy, and David commits adultery with Bathsheba. Joshua, by contrast, seems to be the one prominent OT type whose life is devoid of a "big sin." Not that he was without sin, of course; simply that the Bible records no high profile transgression.
Another way Joshua is a type for Christ is that he leads the Israelites to victory in their conquest of Canaan, even as Jesus now leads us to victory in our conquest of the world. According to Joshua 1, Israel's victory in battle depended most specifically on the obedience of Joshua to the law of Moses (not that Israel's obedience did not also matter; Joshua's merely took priority). Even so, it is the Greater Joshua's perfect obedience that secures our victory in fulfilling the Great Commission. We will conquer the world, for our Perfect Joshua leads us into battle (and in fact has already won the battle!).
Perhaps there are other ways in which Joshua is a type for Christ. What do you think?
Most OT types commit some sin that demonstrates to everyone that they are not the promised Seed. Jacob falls into a stubborn despairing depression after hearing that Joseph is dead, Moses refuses to honor God as holy, and David commits adultery with Bathsheba. Joshua, by contrast, seems to be the one prominent OT type whose life is devoid of a "big sin." Not that he was without sin, of course; simply that the Bible records no high profile transgression.
Another way Joshua is a type for Christ is that he leads the Israelites to victory in their conquest of Canaan, even as Jesus now leads us to victory in our conquest of the world. According to Joshua 1, Israel's victory in battle depended most specifically on the obedience of Joshua to the law of Moses (not that Israel's obedience did not also matter; Joshua's merely took priority). Even so, it is the Greater Joshua's perfect obedience that secures our victory in fulfilling the Great Commission. We will conquer the world, for our Perfect Joshua leads us into battle (and in fact has already won the battle!).
Perhaps there are other ways in which Joshua is a type for Christ. What do you think?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Now What?
The central question of the Christian life is, "Now what? Now that God has forgiven me, what am I supposed to do, be, become, etc.?"
One common answer, "Save as many souls as possible and wait for the Rapture," has proven itself a lie through the fruit of many wasted lives. Surely there must be more to life than getting saved. Otherwise, God's own life is meaningless! (By the way, the typical end-times novel is worse than useless in helping us understand the Christian life.)
The Bible offers many paradigms for answering the question, "Now what?" Essentially the entire account of Abraham recorded in Genesis 12-25 tells the story of his life after he converts. Abraham is saved by faith unto a life of faith; he glorifies God by trusting and waiting on God. If, after believing God, Abraham were asked, "Now what?" it seems his most likely answer would be more of the same: "I am going to keep believing God."
Courtroom to Family Room - Adoption
Another useful paradigm is the relationship between fire and smoke. There is no such thing as a genuine fire that does not produce smoke (no need for quibbles, pure oxygen environment purists). Even so, every person whom God justifies he also sanctifies. There is a necessary causal relationship between the two: those whom God forgives he always changes. In this line of thinking, pursuit of holiness is the essence of the Christian life. We have been called, regenerated, and justified that we might now be conformed unto the image of God's Son. But such spiritual growth must be actively pursued, thereby giving the Christian a great mission in life: to be holy, even as God is holy.
Pilgrim's Progress - Perseverance
Interestingly, all of the above are found on the Ordo Salutis. Faith and Repentance are ongoing actions, not once and done events. We keep believing and repenting every moment of our new life in Christ. Adoption is a once and done legal act, but it places us in a Father-Son relationship that is meant to be continuously experienced and enjoyed. Sanctification and Perseverance are more commonly understood as progressive and ongoing processes in which we are active participants.
Most Christians pick a particular step and focus on it as the organizing principle for their life. This is OK. It is so easy to get distracted; usually it is best to oversimplify what we are trying to accomplish as Christ's followers. So when asked, "Now what?" and one person says, "Holiness, godliness, transformation, new creation," while another person says, "Ongoing trust, rest in Christ's sufficiency, believing in the one he has sent, waiting on the Lord," and so forth, it does not in any way upset me. Each believer has picked the biblical paradigm that "clicks" for him. At least he has a clear goal and vision for his life now that he is justified, which is more than most Christians have.
Besides, if someone pursues any one of these things with great zeal and success, he will end up pursuing all of the others. Pursue holiness long enough, for example, and you end up trusting God, enjoying your relationship with him, bearing fruit in love, courageously fighting off the enemy's attacks, and so forth. Thus, ultimately, each paradigm contains within it every other paradigm. Which is just another way of saying that there is only one answer to the question of now what, only one Christian life that every believer lives. We each simply prefer one Biblical metaphor or another because we each think differently. This is why, of course, that the Bible discusses this one thing (the Christian life) in so many different ways. Use enough variety in communication while aiming at the same core idea, and sooner or later everyone is bound to get it.
Given my general love for the Ordo Salutis as a teaching tool, it is interesting that its combination of steps is not actually my favorite paradigm for understanding the Christian life. I prefer instead to use a typological interpretation of the Exodus.
FROM/UNTO
Through Moses God saves Israelites FROM slavery in Egypt UNTO a life of worship, covenant-keeping, conquest, and dominion.
Through Christ God saves us FROM slavery in sin UNTO a life of worship, covenant-keeping, conquest, and dominion.
I imagine myself having just crossed the Red Sea. The Egyptians' bodies are washing up on shore. I am so amazed and grateful that God has saved me. Yet I am forced to ask the question, "Now what?" And the story provides an answer to this question. God had clear plans and purposes in mind for his people. He did not simply save them out of Egypt, then say, "Go, have a nice life." God has clear plans and purposes for me, as well - and for every person he has brought over from death to life.
I need a comprehensive gospel, one that not only delivers me from the flames of hell but one that restores me to the original purpose for which God made me. Praise God for so complete a salvation!
One common answer, "Save as many souls as possible and wait for the Rapture," has proven itself a lie through the fruit of many wasted lives. Surely there must be more to life than getting saved. Otherwise, God's own life is meaningless! (By the way, the typical end-times novel is worse than useless in helping us understand the Christian life.)
The Bible offers many paradigms for answering the question, "Now what?" Essentially the entire account of Abraham recorded in Genesis 12-25 tells the story of his life after he converts. Abraham is saved by faith unto a life of faith; he glorifies God by trusting and waiting on God. If, after believing God, Abraham were asked, "Now what?" it seems his most likely answer would be more of the same: "I am going to keep believing God."
Courtroom to Family Room - Adoption
Another useful paradigm is the relationship between fire and smoke. There is no such thing as a genuine fire that does not produce smoke (no need for quibbles, pure oxygen environment purists). Even so, every person whom God justifies he also sanctifies. There is a necessary causal relationship between the two: those whom God forgives he always changes. In this line of thinking, pursuit of holiness is the essence of the Christian life. We have been called, regenerated, and justified that we might now be conformed unto the image of God's Son. But such spiritual growth must be actively pursued, thereby giving the Christian a great mission in life: to be holy, even as God is holy.
Pilgrim's Progress - Perseverance
Interestingly, all of the above are found on the Ordo Salutis. Faith and Repentance are ongoing actions, not once and done events. We keep believing and repenting every moment of our new life in Christ. Adoption is a once and done legal act, but it places us in a Father-Son relationship that is meant to be continuously experienced and enjoyed. Sanctification and Perseverance are more commonly understood as progressive and ongoing processes in which we are active participants.
Most Christians pick a particular step and focus on it as the organizing principle for their life. This is OK. It is so easy to get distracted; usually it is best to oversimplify what we are trying to accomplish as Christ's followers. So when asked, "Now what?" and one person says, "Holiness, godliness, transformation, new creation," while another person says, "Ongoing trust, rest in Christ's sufficiency, believing in the one he has sent, waiting on the Lord," and so forth, it does not in any way upset me. Each believer has picked the biblical paradigm that "clicks" for him. At least he has a clear goal and vision for his life now that he is justified, which is more than most Christians have.
Besides, if someone pursues any one of these things with great zeal and success, he will end up pursuing all of the others. Pursue holiness long enough, for example, and you end up trusting God, enjoying your relationship with him, bearing fruit in love, courageously fighting off the enemy's attacks, and so forth. Thus, ultimately, each paradigm contains within it every other paradigm. Which is just another way of saying that there is only one answer to the question of now what, only one Christian life that every believer lives. We each simply prefer one Biblical metaphor or another because we each think differently. This is why, of course, that the Bible discusses this one thing (the Christian life) in so many different ways. Use enough variety in communication while aiming at the same core idea, and sooner or later everyone is bound to get it.
Given my general love for the Ordo Salutis as a teaching tool, it is interesting that its combination of steps is not actually my favorite paradigm for understanding the Christian life. I prefer instead to use a typological interpretation of the Exodus.
FROM/UNTO
Through Moses God saves Israelites FROM slavery in Egypt UNTO a life of worship, covenant-keeping, conquest, and dominion.
Through Christ God saves us FROM slavery in sin UNTO a life of worship, covenant-keeping, conquest, and dominion.
I imagine myself having just crossed the Red Sea. The Egyptians' bodies are washing up on shore. I am so amazed and grateful that God has saved me. Yet I am forced to ask the question, "Now what?" And the story provides an answer to this question. God had clear plans and purposes in mind for his people. He did not simply save them out of Egypt, then say, "Go, have a nice life." God has clear plans and purposes for me, as well - and for every person he has brought over from death to life.
I need a comprehensive gospel, one that not only delivers me from the flames of hell but one that restores me to the original purpose for which God made me. Praise God for so complete a salvation!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Colson and Sphere Sovereignty
I find the doctrine of Sphere Sovereignty very useful in building a biblical social theory. It is also very helpful in hermeneutics and apologetics. Many non-Christians throw "eye for an eye" and "love your enemies" in our faces, and we often lack the quick and appropriate response: Sphere Sovereignty.
When I introduce Sphere Sovereignty to a new group of believers, I sometimes get confused and suspicious looks. The idea is so strange, yet so comprehensive and helpful, that perhaps people think I invented the doctrine myself!
These links are put here as a simple reminder that I did not create the doctrine of Sphere Sovereignty, nor am I the only modern Christian to find something of value in the concept.
Enjoy!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/august/11.64.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/june/20.64.html
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/1894-where-government-doesnt-belong
When I introduce Sphere Sovereignty to a new group of believers, I sometimes get confused and suspicious looks. The idea is so strange, yet so comprehensive and helpful, that perhaps people think I invented the doctrine myself!
These links are put here as a simple reminder that I did not create the doctrine of Sphere Sovereignty, nor am I the only modern Christian to find something of value in the concept.
Enjoy!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/august/11.64.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/june/20.64.html
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/1894-where-government-doesnt-belong
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