An Outline For Discussion

1
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Basis for a Reformational Worldview
Do not conform any longer with the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and
prove what Gods will is - His good, pleasing and
perfect will. 3Rom. 122
Redemption
Scripture
Creation
Fall
He who was seated on the throne said, I am making
everything new! Rev. 215
An Outline For Discussion
Compiled by P. Ribeiro and Adriana Ribeiro (Main
sources Scriptures, Creation Regained by Albert
Wolters, and The Transforming Vision by Brian
Walsh and Richard Middleton, Patterns of the
Western Mind, J. Kok, An Introduction to
Christian Philosophy, J. Spier, Contours of a
Christian Philosophy, L. Kalsbeek, Perspectives
in Philosophy, J Van Kyk)
(For Sunday School Class Use Only)
2
Introduction
Lesson 1 - June6, 1999
The Format Open debate (Socratic method), group
dynamics / participation. The Standard The Word
of God The Motivation A sense of great
frustration - corporate and personal
Ineffectiveness of Christianity to shape public
life (Rom 121-2, 2 Cor. 105)) Dualistic view of
Christian Service (secular versus
sacred). Objective - The Title (What does it
mean?) Biblical worldview and its significance
for our lives as we seek to be obedient to
Scriptures Long tradition (Augustine,
Calvin) Reformational (after Protestant
Reformation) Scripture Alone (as opposed to
Scriptures and Tradition) Reformational (Abraham
Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Herman Dooyeweerd, D.
Volenhoven) Contribution through theology,
philosophy, and other academic disciplines The
Challenge Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in
view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -
this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not
conform any longer with the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and prove
what Gods will is - his good, pleasing and
perfect will. Rom. 121-2 It is by no means easy
to hold beliefs for which you would be willing to
die, and yet to remain open to new insights but
it is precisely such a combination of commitment
and enquiry that constitutes religious maturity."
-- Ian Barbour
3
What is a Worldview?
Do you have a worldview? How do we respond to
evangelism, to pacifism, or patriotism? What
words of condolence do we offer at a
graveside? Whom do we blame for inflation? What
are our views on abortion, homosexuality, capital
punishment, discipline in child-rearing, racial
segregation, artificial insemination, cloning,
arts and films, extramarital sex? Would we
discourage our children from becoming involved
with arts or politics? When taxation is unjust ,
do we cheat on our tax forms?
The direction obedience to God Since we live
by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit. Gal. 525.
German Weltanschuung World-and-Life-View
Life Perspective
Principles, Ideals, Values, Vision of Life,
Vision of the Future
Confessional Vision
Generic Definition The comprehensive framework
of ones basic belief about things Components of
a worldview Things (anything which is possible
to have a belief) Beliefs (not feelings, not
opinions) Basic Beliefs Framework (pattern)
4
What role does a worldview play in our lives?
Guide to our life Shapes the way we see the
events and issues
Humans are incapable of holding purely arbitrary
opinions or making entirely unprincipled
decisions.
What is the Scope of a Worldview?
Cultural life is not only rooted in the dominant
worldview it also orients life in terms of that
worldview.
Education
Are we always consistent with our worldview? No!
Sometimes we hold to conflicting beliefs or
fail to act in harmony with the beliefs we hold.
The contradiction of our fallen nature. Rom.
715-25
Politics
Health Care
The tension / crisis is fundamentally religious
because our worldview rests on a faith
commitment 1 - Who am I 2 - Where am I? 3 -
Whats wrong? 4 - What is the remedy? 1 Pe. 2
9-10 A chosen people 2 Pe. 311 Advancing the
Kingdom speeding His coming
World view
Religious Institutions
Legal Institutions
Family
Environment
Arts
See, I set before you today life and prosperity,
death and destruction. Dt. 3015-20
5
What is the relationship of Worldview to
Scripture? Our worldview must be shaped and
tested by Scriptures! Scriptures speaks to
everything in our life and world including
technology, economics and science! Read and
Discuss Act. 1711 (Bereans) Rom.122 (Renewal
of our minds) Rom. 154 (Scriptures teach us) 2
Tim. 316-17 (Scripture the basis for our
understanding)
What is the relationship between worldview
theology and philosophy?
Theology and Philosophy are specialized fields of
inquiry that not everyone can engage in (Acts 7
22, Prov. 8) Biblical wisdom does not increase
with advanced theological training (1 Cor.
120) Academic knowledge - different from -
Wisdom / Common Sense (1 Cor. 125 - Gods
Wisdom) Worldview, philosophy and theology are
alike in being comprehensive in scope, but that
they are unlike in that a worldview is
pre-scientific, whereas theology and philosophy
are scientific. Philosophy - Structure Theology
- Direction Worldview - Structure and Direction
6
What is unique about the Reformational Worldview?
Nothing apart from God himself falls outside the
range of these foundational realities of biblical
religion. Lordship of Christ over all creation -
2 Cor. 105 Life is religion - 1 Cor. 1031
Definition of a Reformational Worldview (Herman
Bavinck) God the Father has reconciled His
created but fallen world through the death of
His Son, and renews it into a Kingdom of God by
His Spirit.
The terms Reconciled, Created, Fallen, World,
Renews, Kingdom of God are held to be cosmic in
scope The ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor.
517-19
7
Summary Questions 1 - What is a worldview?
Explain the four basic components of the
definition. 2 - What is the role of worldview in
life. In what ways does a worldview serve as a
guide to our lives? 3 - What is the relation
between Scripture and worldview? 4 - What does
Rom 122, and 154 tell us? 5 - What are the
differences between theology, philosophy and
worldview? 6 - What is unique about the
reformational worldview? In which ways does it
differ from other worldviews advocated by
Christians? 7- What is the distinction between
an integral worldview and a dualistic
worldview? 8 - How should we then live? 9 -
10 -
8
Lesson 2, June 13, 1999
Biblical Worldview Based on Creation
An Outline For Discussion
Let us sing This Is My Fathers World

• Summary Questions from the first lesson
• What is a worldview?
• What is the role of worldview in life. In what
  ways does a worldview serve as a guide to our
  lives?
• What is the relation between Scripture and
  worldview?
• What is unique about the reformational worldview?
  What is the distinction between an integral
  worldview and a dualistic worldview?

Introductory Words As Christians we often
pay only lip service to the biblical doctrine of
creation. We think it important perhaps for
refuting evolution, but otherwise we do not place
much value on it. Jesus Christ and the
redemption He brings are the the focus of
Scriptures, but the worldview of the Scriptures
does not begin with Christ and salvation. It
begins with God and creation. The first article
of the Apostles Creed emphasizes the Genesis
account I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth. This is where
Christianity begins. Creation is the starting
point. The biblical message is a call from sin
to reconciliation with God. But what is sin?
And what do words like salvation , redemption and
reconciliation mean? It is impossible to offer
an answer to these questions if we do not have an
implicit idea of creation. For it us creation
that is affected by both sin and salvation. To
talk about sin we must look at how Gods
creatures disobeyed Him and how His creation was
distorted. What is salvation but the outworking
of Gods love for His creation. In worldview
terms we cannot answer the questions what is
wrong? and whats the remedy? unless we first
address the issues of who we are and where we
are? Answering these questions will direct us
through the biblical themes of creation, fall and
redemption - these themes constitute the basic
flow and movement of the Bible. We must
remember that these are not merely interesting
ideas to be discussed. The worldview of of
Scriptures calls the people to commitment and
action. Just as we cannot be neutral about the
person of Christ and the salvation He offers, we
cannot ignore the radical implications of the
biblical teaching on creation (Walters). God
is not a creator who failed. He does not plan to
scrap creation! He is recreating, restoring,
redeeming it - making everything new. This is
our Fathers world! We are called to
participate in His redeeming work. Creation
eagerly awaits for it Rom. 818-27.
9
The Law of Creation
What is the correlation between the creating
activity of God and His created order?
Beautiful Arrangement
2 Pet. 35-7
MAKES
RULES
CREATOR
Men
All Creation
Personal Responsibility
Necessity Instinct
Ps. 443 !
Natural Laws
Biblical Laws
Creators Sovereign Activity Originating (Gen.1
) Upholding (Heb. 13) Guiding / Ruling (2 Pet.
35-7) His Power, Breath, Word, Rule, Hands,
Plan, Will, Call, Decree, Ordinances,
Statutes Creation Definition The Correlation of
the sovereign activity of the Creator and the
created order. LAW (Creation) Law is the
manifestation of Gods sovereignty in creation
the totality of Gods ordering acts toward the
cosmos. Ps. 339
10
God Imposes His Law on the Cosmos
What are the ways in which God imposes His law on
the cosmos?
Indirectly (through human
responsibility) Norms Gen. 127 Entrusted to
mankind norms for culture and society marriage,
government, doing justice,making tools
Directly (direct orders) Laws of Nature gravity,
thermodynamics photosynthesis, heredity Gen.
11-26 Discovered by physics, chemistry, biology
...
Norms can be violated (Gen. 215-17)
Laws of nature cannot be violated

• All of human life, in all its vast array of
  cultural, societal, and personal relationships,
  is normed
• The almighty Creator lays claims to it all the
  absolute King requires His will to be discerned
  in it all..

What is the difference between norms and laws
of nature?
What is the difference between general and
particular laws?
In the Secularized Western Mind Laws of Nature -
Acceptable Norms - Not really They prefer
Values What is wrong with replacing the word
norms for the word value ? Discuss Ps.
14715-20 Is there a difference between Gods
word of command to snow and His command to His
people?
11
The Word of God in Creation
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was with God
in the beginning. Through Him all things were
made without Him nothing was made that has been
made. In Him was life, and the that life was the
light of the men. John. 11-3
(Creation by Word - Creation by Wisdom)
What is the connection between Gods word and
His Law (command)? Fulfilling His Word -
Fulfilling His Biding - Obeying His Voice (Ps.
148 8) Creatio ex nihilo (Gen.11 ) -Creatio
secunda (Gen. 12) By the word of the Lord were
the heavens made (Ps. 336) Long ago by Gods
word the heavens existed and the earth was formed
out of water and with water (2 Pet. 35) By
faith we understand that the universe was
fashioned by the word of God (Heb.
113) Upholding (Heb. 1 3) Governing - (Ps.
147 18, 1488) Creation took place through
Christ - Christ is the mediator of creation
(John 11-3, Col. 116, Heb. 12, 210) Christ
is intimately involved in the preservation of
creation (holding together - Col. 116, 17
sustaining all things - Heb. 12,3) Creation by
Wisdom Prov. 822-31, Job 2825-27 Ps. 10424
Ps. 13914 Worthy of Worship Jer. 101-16 Ps.
11989-91 Covenant with creation (creation is a
covenantal response to Gods Word) Jer. 3320-21,
25-26 Ps. 969-10 Let there be light
E mc2
12
The Scope of Creation
What is the scope of creation?

• Creation has a scope much broader then the common
  usage gives it.
• Not just realities investigated by natural
  sciences
• All disciplines (sociology, political science,
  etc.) are under its scope
• Gods ordinances also extend to the structures of
  society
• Human civilization is normed throughout.
  Everywhere we discover limits, standards,
  criteria. In every field of human affairs there
  are right and wrong ways of doing things. For
  everything God created is good. Examples
  Marriage and Authority (1 Tim. 43-4 Rom.
  131-2 1 pet. 213)
• Culture, education, sexuality, human emotionality
  are not normless. Our reasoning is subject to
  the laws of thought, our speech to semantic
  principles.
• Everything is subject to given laws of God
  Everything is creational.
• Meaning and purpose is the essence of all that is
  created.

13
Summary Questions
What is the correlation between the creating
activity of God and His created order? What is
the difference between norms and laws of
nature? What is the connection between Gods
word and His Law (command)? What is the scope of
creation? What is our response? Ps. 14310
(Teach me to do your will, for you are my God
may your good Spirit lead me on level
ground) James Houston calls the Christian
community to a fresh sense of its mission I
appeal to evangelical Christians to use the whole
range of their professional skills to speak
prophetically about our times. We need deeper
analyses of the pathology of scientific,
technological social and political evils in our
contemporary world, in light of the eternal
realities revealed in Gods Word. A new
missionary enterprise is involved to go
virtually into every professional area of life,
just as in the past we have emphasized the
geographical penetration of our world with the
gospel. The biblical idea of stewardship of
creation balances authority with servanthood.
This strikes at the heart of our humanity.
Although we are the lords of the earth, we are
also servants of God. We are called to exercise
our rule in obedient response to Gods ultimate
sovereignty. Subduing creation is an issue of
covenantal responsibility (Gen. 128) This is my
fathers world!
14
Lesson 3, June 20, 1999
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Reformational Worldview The heavens
declare the glory of God Based on Creation
(2) An Outline For Discussion
For since the creation of the world Gods
invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly seen, being understood
from what has been made, so that men are without
excuse. Rom. 120

• Summary Questions from Lesson 2
• What is the correlation between the creating
  activity of God and His created order?
• What is the difference between norms and laws
  of nature?
• What is the connection between Gods word and His
  Law (command)?
• What is the scope of creation?
• What is our response?
• Introduction
• The scope of creation goes beyond the physical
  realm. From physics to sociology, from biology
  to economics - everything is creational -all is
  subjected to Gods given laws.
• There is no tension between the universal and
  particular in Gods law.
• Gods law reflects his constancy (universal
  laws). But He also deals with creation on a
  particular basis. He who commands snow and makes
  the wind blow and rain fall, can revert the
  natural process of the fall (He surprises us with
  miracles everyday - a testimony).
• The primal command to subdue the earth (often
  called creation mandate) is a cultural mandate.
  In all our activities, by which we interact
  and/or develop creation, we respond to Gods
  cultural mandate (in obedience or disobedience).
• The major emphasis of the biblical vision of life
  is wholeness. This vision is both refreshing and
  life affirming.

15
The Revelation of Creation
Theses and Talking Points 1 - The law of
creation is revelatory it imparts knowledge
(Ps. 191-4). Even the NT stresses Gods
revelation in creation (Acts. 1417 Rom.
118-20). 2 - God speaks plainly through his
works, but we may opt not to hear Him - however,
even the Gentiles, who do not have the law, can
sense Gods normative demands through
creation. 3 - Conscience is the intuitive
attunement to creational normatively. (Rom.
214-15) 4 - Creational law speaks so loudly
that even in the delusions of paganism, its
normative demands are driven home into their
inmost being. God does not leave Himself
unattested He refutes to be ignored. He
asserts Himself in an unmistakably display of His
eternal power and divine nature so that we
cannot fail to take note of the Creators claims
on our obedience. 5 - Wisdom means ethical
conformity to the divine constitution and
creation. (Pr. 122-23) 6 - The connection
between Wisdom and creation is made very explicit
in Proverbs. (Prov. 822-23, 27-30). Wisdom is
beside him like an amon (standard). Wisdom is
the standard by which God works. Job 38-4. 7 -
The Lord teaches the farmer his business An
explicit example - Isaiah 2823-29. 8 - The
creation order is knowable - this fact is the
basis for all human understanding. 9 - Many
argue that the creational scheme has been altered
by the fall. They fail to recognize the
constancy of Gods will for creation, and the
power of Jesus Christ in restoring our faculty
and discernment. We need spiritual discernment
(wisdom and understanding). (Eph. 117-18 Rom
122 Heb. 514 Col. 19-10)
16
The Revelation of Creation (contd.)
10 - Christians of all vocations and walks of
life - business executives, farmers, barbers,
academics, politicians, educators, homemakers,
lawyers - must hear, not only in their private
but also in their professional capacities, the
well-known exhortation of the apostle, Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of the world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what
Gods will is - His good, pleasing and perfect
will (Rom. 122) 11 - How does Gods speech in
creation relate to His speech on Scripture? Is
there a danger in putting too much emphasis on
general revelation? Do we not compromise the
Reformations great principle of Sola
Scripture? 12 - We need to have the guidance of
Scripture and the exercise of sanctified common
sense. 13 - As a message of salvation the
revelation of creation is useless. 14 -
Seeking the council of Scripture Scripture are
spectacles through which we are enabled to read
the book of nature. Thy word is lamp to my feet
and a light to my path (Ps. 119105) Just as
old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak
vision, if you thrust before them a most
beautiful volume, even if they recognize it to be
some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe
two words, but with the aid of spectacles will
begin to read distinctly so Scripture, gathering
up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our
minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly
shows us the true God. John Calvin 15 - The law
is fulfilled in that the shadow is replaced by
the substance, and the Jewish law is not longer
binding for the people of God. On the other
hand, the law is fulfilled in that Christ
reaffirms its deepest meaning (Mat. 517). God
did the implementing for His people in the Old
Testament, while in the NT He in large gives us
freedom in Christ to do our own implementing of
His norms (the blueprint of the law of creation).
(Rom. 212 331, 520 615 712 82 104-11)
17
Summary Questions 1 - In what sense or senses
does creation constitute a revelation? 2 - Do you
agree with Walters definition of conscience as
intuitive attunement to creational normatively? 3
- What are the meanings of wisdom? 4 - How does
God rule creation? 5 - Explain the nature and
importance of the fundamental knowability of the
creation order. 6 - What is meant by spiritual
discernment? 7 - How is Scripture comparable to
spectacles? Conclusions The heavens declare
the glory of God. No excuses, please! The
revelation of creation, however, is useless as a
message of salvation. The revelation of creation
is like a verbal explanation that an architect
gives to an incompetent builder who has forgotten
how to read the blueprint. With the explanation
everything becomes clearer, and the builder can
proceed confidently with the task. We need
spiritual discernment from Scripture. Praise to
God for His complete revelation in Scripture.
With the help of our Lord Jesus, the Lord of the
Universe, let us celebrate His beautiful creation
and obey His command to subdue and develop the
earth. We were placed in a garden, but are going
to a city. Taking action seek wisdom look at
creation make a point to know and name Gods
creation but first and foremost recognize your
creator and listen to His Word - Read it daily
and meditate on it. And finally let us live by
it.
18
Lesson 4, June 27, 1999
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Reformational Worldview Based on
Creation (3) The Cultural Mandate From a Garden
to a City An Outline For Discussion
Introduction The heavens are telling of God the
very shape of starry space makes news of His
handiwork. One day is brimming over with talk for
the next, and each night passes on intimate
knowledge to the next night - there is no
speaking, no words at all - you cant hear their
voice - but their expression travels throughout
the whole earth! Their uttered noises carry to
the end of inhabited land. God set up a tent for
the sun at the ends of the earth - have you seen
the sun?! Beaming forth like a bridegroom from
his marriage-bed! The sun laughs joyfully like a
strong man glad to run a race it always rises
from the edge of the heavens, and it circles over
and around to the (other) ends of the sky -
nothing is able to hide from its burning
heat. The leading of the Lord God is utterly
reliable, bringing people back to life again. The
magnificent testimonies of the Lord prove
themselves to be everlasting true, making
inexperienced young people wise. The commanding
words of the Lord are truly straightening,
causing ones heart to laugh and be glad. The
task imposed by the Lord is bound to be
integrally whole, making ones eyes shine with
insight. Fear of the Lord is cleansing it stands
up for ever and ever. The ordering judgements of
the Lord are firmly true - more desirable than
gold, yes, than much gold, sweeter than honey,
yes, than natural honey of the honeycomb. Let me,
your servant, also be warned by these ordinances,
Lord, for in keeping them much good results -who
can discern all ones errant missteps?! O Lord
set me free from the spoilsome sins kept hidden
from my notice! And please hold me back from
every overweening presumption - I am your
servant, Lord - Do not ever let self-confidence
push me around then I will (finally) be able to
be unpretentiously blameless, rid of all the
guilt-making rebelliousness Let the sayings of
my mouth and the inarticulate groaning of my
heart be something acceptable in front of your
face, O Lord God, my rock! the One who always
comes through to set me free from my bondage.
The Good News of Psalm 19 is that the whole
world of rocks and dirt, wind and seas is a
chorus of praise to the Almighty Lord of heaven
and earth, not metaphorically, but literally.
And Psalm 19 proclaims that the ways of God set
up creation and assigns tasks in history are
paths of shalom when they are followed in
covenant with Him. Psalm 19 offers a restoring
vision and redemptive direction for those who
want to join the world-wide chorus of Praise God
from whom all blessings flow rather than be a
human candle-holder looking on blankly as our 20,
40, 60 or 70 years go past like a
yesterday. Psalm 19 - Rainbows for the Fallen
World by Calvin Seerveld (adapted)
19
The Revelation of Creation (contd.)
Theses and Talking Points 9 - Many argue that
the creational scheme has been altered by the
fall. They fail to recognize the constancy of
Gods will for creation, and the power of Jesus
Christ in restoring our faculty and discernment.
We need spiritual discernment (wisdom and
understanding). (Eph. 117-18 Rom 122 Heb.
514 Col. 19-10) 10 - Christians of all
vocations and walks of life - business
executives, farmers, barbers, academics,
politicians, educators, homemakers, lawyers -
must hear, not only in their private, but also in
their professional capacities, the well-known
exhortation of the apostle, Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of the world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what Gods
will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will
(Rom. 122) 11 - How does Gods speech in
creation relate to His speech in Scripture? Is
there a danger in putting too much emphasis on
general revelation? Do we not compromise the
Reformations great principle of Sola
Scripture? 12 - We need to have the guidance of
Scripture and the exercise of sanctified common
sense. 13 - As a message of salvation the
revelation of creation is useless. 14 -
Seeking the council of Scripture Scripture are
spectacles through which we are enabled to read
the book of nature. Thy word is lamp to my feet
and a light to my path (Ps. 119105) Just as old
or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if
you thrust before them a most beautiful volume,
even if they recognize it to be some sort of
writing, yet can scarcely construe two words, but
with the aid of spectacles will begin to read
distinctly so Scripture, gathering up the
otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds,
having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us
the true God. John Calvin 15 - The law is
fulfilled in that the shadow is replaced by the
substance, and the Jewish law is not longer
binding for the people of God. On the other
hand, the law is fulfilled in that Christ
reaffirms its deepest meaning (Mat. 517). God
did the implementing for His people in the Old
Testament, while in the NT He in large gives us
freedom in Christ to do our own implementing of
His norms (the blueprint of the law of creation).
(Rom. 212 331, 520 615 712 82 104-11)
20
The Revelation of Creation (contd.)
Structure of Creational Normativity Fifteen
aspects of reality in which all human activity
takes place 1- arithmetic (discrete,
individual, separate entities) 2- spatial
(continuous extension) 3- kinematics
(movement) 4- physical (energy) 5- biotic
(life) 6- sensitive (feeling) 7- analytical /
logical (making distinction) 8- historical
(human culture) 9- lingual (communications) 10
- social (interactions of human beings) 11-
economic (stewardship) 12- aesthetic
(harmony) 13- juridical (justice) 14- moral
/ ethical (love) 15- pistic (faith) Examples
A tulip, the launching of a manned space craft,
etc...
21
The Development of Creation From a Garden to a
City
1 - Is the creation process finished with the
creation of man? Be fruitful and increase in
number fill the earth and subdue it rule over
the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air and
over every living creature that moves on the
ground. Gen. 128 The Lord God took man and put
him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take
care of it. Gen. 215. 2 - We must must now
carry on the work of development by being
fruitful, and subdue the earth. The development
of the created earth is societal and cultural in
nature (civilization). Mistakes The tower of
Babel, etc. 3 - The creational or cultural
mandate is of such fundamental importance for the
whole history of revelation, and therefore for a
biblical worldview. 4 - History is the
generational unfolding and opening up of the
possibilities hidden in the womb of creation,
both natural and human. Gen 24 These are the
generations of heavens and of earth when they
were created (KJV). Generations historical
developments arising out of ... 5 - Creation is
not something that, once, made, remains a static
quantity. 6 - If we see that human history and
the unfolding of culture and society are integral
to creation and its development, that they are
not outside Gods plans for the cosmos, despite
the sinful aberrations, but rather were built in
from the beginning, were part of the blueprint
that we never understood before, then we will be
much more open to the positive possibilities for
service to God in such areas as politics and film
arts, computer technology, and and business
administration, developmental economics,
skydiving, and soccer!
22
The Development of Creation From a Garden to a
City
7 - The discussion of creational development can
easily give the impression of a humanistic
cultural optimism. There is always something
unreal and dangerous about talking of the
development of creation apart from sin and
redemption. 8 - The ravages of sin, however, do
not annihilate the normative creational
development of civilization, but are rather
parasitical upon it. 9 - The new heaven and the
new earth the Lord has promised will be a
continuation, purified by fire, of the creation
we now know. Rev. 211 10 - Describing the new
earth as the new Jerusalem, John writes that the
kings of the earth will bring their splendor into
it ... The glory and honor of the nations will be
brought into it Rev. 21 24,26. This very
likely refers to the cultural treasures of
mankind being purified by the fires of judgment,
like gold in a crucible. 11 - But what about 2
Peter 310? Discuss 12 - Read also 2 Peter
36-7-13. Does destruction here mean
annihilation? 13 - There is no reason to doubt
that the works of man will be transfigured and
transformed by their liberation from the curse,
but they will be in essential continuity with our
experience now - just as our resurrected bodies,
though glorified, will still be bodies. It may
be, as Herman Bavinck has suggested, that human
life on the new earth, compared to that life now,
will be like the colorful butterfly that develops
out of the pupa dramatically different, but the
same creature. Perhaps the most fitting symbol
of the developments of creation from the
primordial past to the eschatological future is
the fact that the Bible begins with a garden and
ends with a city - a city filled with the glory
and honor of the nations. And as He spoke He no
longer looked like a lion but the things that
began to happen after that were so great and
beautiful that I cannot write about them. And
for us this is the end of all stories, and we can
most truly say that they all lived happy ever
after. But for them it was only the beginning of
the real story. All their life in this world and
all their adventures in Narnia had only been the
cover and the title page now at last they were
beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which
no one on earth has read which goes on for ever
in which every chapter is better than the one
before. The Last Battle. C.S. Lewis
23
Summary Questions and Conclusion 1 - In what
sense or senses does creation constitute a
revelation? 2 - Do you agree with Walters
definition of conscience as intuitive attunement
to creational normatively? 3 - What are the
meanings of wisdom? 4 - How does God rule
creation? 5 - Explain the nature and importance
of the fundamental knowability of the creation
order. 6 - What is meant by spiritual
discernment? 7 - How is Scripture comparable to
spectacles? 8 - How does the development of
creation imply civilization? 9 - What is meant by
the creation or cultural mandate, especially in
relation to history or the historical process? 10
- What is unreal about addressing the development
of creation apart from sin and redemption? 11 -
Describe how gnosticism and humanism deny the
goodness of creation. Be familiar with 1 Tim.
44 Conclusion Religion is distinct from
worship. Religion encompasses our whole life,
whereas worship is only a small part of it. We
are active in worship when we pray, participate
in a church service, or take the sacraments. We
also have a divine calling outside of the narrow
sphere of worship. We are to perform our tasks
for the Lord through faith and to seek to attain
His honor and glory by walking in the Covenant
and withdrawing nothing from Him. The entire
life of a believer is religious. To worship is
not any more pleasing to God than to be engaged
in science, engineering or any other God-given
task. Our labor is not vain in the Lord, but
will further the coming of His Kingdom. For now
we see in a mirror, darkly but then face to
face now I know in part but then shall I know
even as I have been known. (I Cor. 1312)
Schedule July 4 Fall The Scope of the
Fall, The Relation of Sin and Creation, July 11
Fall Structure and Direction, World as
Perverted Creation July 18- Redemption Salvatio
n as Restoration, The Kingdom of God July 25
Redemption Jesus Ministry, Comparison with
Other Views of the Kingdom, Illustration August 1
Discerning Structure and Direction Reformation
August 8 Discerning Structure and
Direction Societal Renewal August 15 Discerning
Structure and Direction Personal Renewal August
22 General Discuss - Recap
24
Lesson 5, July 4, 1999
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Reformational Worldview Fall (1) The
Whole Creation Has Been Groaning
The creation waits in eager expectation for the
sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it, in
hope that the creation itself will be liberated
from its bondage to decay and brought into the
glorious freedom of the children of God. We know
that the whole creation has been groaning as in
the pains of childbirth right up to the present
time (Rom. 819-22)
An Outline For Discussion
Introduction It is our responsibility to serve
the Lord our Creator, and yet we are not forced
to do so. It is possible to disobey, to depart
from who we are called to be. And this
possibility became reality in the Fall. The Fall
has cosmic implications. It affected society,
culture, personal lives, and the nonhuman
world. As we study the first chapter of Romans
we see that we live in Gods world and are
intuitively aware that there is a powerful
creator worthy of our worship. But we suppress
this knowledge. Rom. 8 reveals the extent of
the Fall to the nonhuman world. And because of
the Fall and our religious nature, if we do not
worship God, we will worship a false god. The
consequences are fatal Idols are the root of
disobedience. (Ex. 204). But thanks to God for
providing redemption through His Son, Creator,
Sustainer and Redeemer. Now Choose Life (Dt.
3019-20)
25
The Scope of the Fall Theses and Talking
Points 1 - The Bible teaches that Adam and Eves
fall into sin was not just an isolated act of
disobedience but an event of catastrophic
significance for creation as a whole. (Gen.
317-19-21) 2 - The effects of sin touch all of
creation no created thing is in principle
untouched by the corrosive effects of the fall.
Whether we look at societal structures (family,
state) or cultural pursuits (art and technology),
or bodily functions (sexuality, eating) we
discover that the good handiwork of God has been
drawn into the sphere of human mutiny against
God. It is creation that is tainted by sin
throughout. (Gal. 516-26) 3 -
Examples Marriage (distortions divorce, serial
monogamy, etc.) State (distortions
totalitarianism, tyranny, etc.) Political
Systems (distortions response to the pressure of
special interest groups, etc.) Creational
Structures (economies, environmental, etc) Arts
(bad taste) Science and Technology (technicism,
etc). (Rom. 121-32) 4 - Distortion is perhaps
most obvious in our personal lives, where the
effects of the fall are most readily recognized
by Christians. Murder, adultery, theft,
blasphemy, etc. (Rom. 319-20) 5 - The Bible
even ties bodily sickness to the root cause of
sinfulness (1 Cor. 1130). 6 - The Bible teaches
that all evil and perversity in the world is
ultimately the result of humanity's fall, and is
clearly manifested in personal, cultural and
societal distortions 7 - The effects of sin
range more widely than the arena of human
affairs, it touches even the nonhuman world.
(Gen. 317). Curse is the ground because of
you.

What is the nature of the fall and its effect on
societal, cultural, personal lives and on the
nonhuman world?
26
The Relation of Sin and Creation Theses and
Talking Points 1- The Bibles makes clear that
sin neither abolishes nor becomes identified with
creation. Creation and sin remain distinct,
however closely they may be intertwined in our
experience. Prostitution does not eliminate the
goodness of human sexuality political tyranny
cannot wipe out the divinely ordained character
of the state. 2 - Though fundamentally distinct
from the good creation, sin attaches itself to
creation like a parasite. Hatred, for example,
has no place within God's good creation.
Nevertheless, hatred cannot exist without the
creational substratum of human emotion, and
healthy assertiveness. 3 - John Calvin we must
distinguish between the order of creation and
the order of sin and redemption, which relate
to each other as health relates to
sickness-and-healing. C.S. Lewis Goodness
is, so to speak, itself badness is spoiled
goodness Evil is a parasite, not the original
thing. 4 - The perversion of creation must never
be understood as a subdistinction within the
order of creation, nor must creation ever be
explained as a function of perversion and
redemption. 5 - We may say that sin and evil
always have a character of a caricature - that
is, of a distorted image that nevertheless
embodies recognizable features. A human being
after the fall is still a human being. A
Humanistic school is still a school. A broken
relationship is still a relationship, Muddled
thinking is still thinking. In each case, that
something in fallen creation still is points to
the enduring goodness of creation - that is to
say, to the faithfulness of God in upholding the
created order despite the ravages of sin...
Creation will not be suppressed in any final
sense.
Sin neither abolishes nor becomes identified with
creation
SIN Disobedience Distortion
Distorted Wave
Original Wave
27
Summary Questions and Conclusion 1 - Describe
how gnosticism and humanism deny the goodness of
creation (from chapter 2). 1 Tim. 44 2 - What
is the nature of the fall and its effect on
societal, cultural, personal lives and on the
nonhuman world?Rom. 819-22 3 - Explain the
importance of the following statements concerning
the relation between sin and creation a- Sin
neither abolishes nor becomes identified with
creation b- The perversion of creation must never
be understood as a sub-distinction within the
order of creation, nor must creation ever be
explained as a function of perversion and
redemption. 4 - Sin is alien in creation.
Explain. Conclusion Although God still calls us
to obediently execute our cultural and creational
tasks, the Devil bids us to pledge allegiance to
his renegade kingdom and so to deny our true
calling. The insightful words of CS Lewis cut
to the heart of our post-Fall situation There
is no neutral ground in the universe every
square inch, every split second, is claimed by
God and counterclaimed by Satan.
Schedule July 4 Fall The Scope of the
Fall, The Relation of Sin and Creation, July 11
Fall Structure and Direction, World as
Perverted Creation July 18- Redemption Salvatio
n as Restoration, The Kingdom of God July 25
Redemption Jesus Ministry, Comparison with
Other Views of the Kingdom, Illustration August 1
Discerning Structure and Direction Reformation
August 8 Discerning Structure and
Direction Societal Renewal August 15 Discerning
Structure and Direction Personal Renewal August
22 General Discussion - Recap Action August
29 General Discussion - Recap Action
28
Lesson 6, July 11, 1999
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Reformational Worldview Fall (2) Every
area of creation cries out for redemption and the
coming of the kingdom of God.
The creation waits in eager expectation for the
sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it, in
hope that the creation itself will be liberated
from its bondage to decay and brought into the
glorious freedom of the children of God. We know
that the whole creation has been groaning as in
the pains of childbirth right up to the present
time (Rom. 819-22) We demolish arguments and
every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor.
105) You are the salt of the earth. But if
salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made
salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and tramped by men. Mat.
313
An Outline For Discussion
Introduction Like exiles in a strange land, we
live in constant tension of being redeemed from
sin, yet still being sinful and still living in a
world of sin. We must accept and affirm the
creational / cultural and evangelistic mandates
by thinking of ourselves as citizens of a
heavenly kingdom, by not loving the world, by not
looking for an enduring city here on earth, but
looking for the city that is to come (Heb
1314). We are not builders of the prevailing
culture, but neither we are slaves. We live and
exist in a state of tension with the prevailing
culture. We live in it but we are also separate
from it. Love for God demands this status of
exile, but the same love demands involvement the
act of turning toward and addressing that culture
in love. The proper response is neither one of
avoidance and negation nor one of accommodation.
It means living by the inspiration of another
cultural dynamic and following the biblical
normative principles rather than those of the
prevailing in modern secular culture. Our
motivation - namely, the desire to live and work
by the power of the love and grace of God - is
diametrically opposed to the will-to-power motive
of the secular culture. As exiles we should
realize that it is unlikely that we will
completely remake the society in which we live.
We must be faithful and obedient. But we need to
realize that our faithfulness and obedience will
meet with strong resistance from the dominant
secular culture. The kingdom of God is not the
culmination of our cultural efforts.
Nevertheless, He calls us to proclaim His
Lordship in all that He has created.
29
With respect to the relationship of structure and
direction, explain the following statements a-
creation is like a leash which keeps the vicious
dog in check. b. structure is never entirely
obliterated by (mis)direction c. evil is not
inherent in the human condition d. the law is
like a spring.

Structure and Direction Theses and Talking
Points 1 - Structure refers to the order of
creation and is anchored in the law of
creation. Direction designates the order of
sin(distortion and perversion) and redemption
(restoration of the creation in Christ) 2 -
Anything in creation can be directed either
toward or away from God obedience or
disobedience. 3 - To the degree that these
realities fail to live up to Gods creational
design for them they are misdirected, abnormal
and distorted. 4 - Creation is like a leash that
keeps a vicious dog in check. Redemption in this
image is the uncanny power by which the dogs
master persuades it to become friendly and
cooperative, so that the dog no longer strains
at the leash but seeks guidance from it. 5 - The
structure of all creational givens persists
despite their directional perversion. The
structure anchored in Gods faithfulness sets a
limit on the corruption and bondage wrought by
evil. 6 - Direction is given through Gods
goodness to believers and unbelievers alike
common grace or conserving grace. 7 - God
never lets go of His creatures. Read 1Tim 4 -
Gnosticism blame part of Gods handiwork for the
ills of the world we live in. 8 - The Bible is
unique in its uncompromising rejection of all
attempts to compromise structure and direction
(there is no corruption before the fall). All
other religions and worldviews in one way or
another fall into this trap. 9 - Evil is not
inherent in the human condition there once was a
completely good creation and there will be again
hence, the restoration of creation is not
impossible. 10 - Finally, creational law impinges
upon its created subjects. The law is like a
spring that can be pressed down or pushed out of
sight only with great effort and that continues
to make its presence felt even when repressed for
a long time. The structure of a thing is the
law that is in force for it, and no amount of
repression or pervasion will ever succeed in
nullifying its presence and effect. For example,
the call for justice is present in the midst of
tyranny
30
World as Perverted Creation Theses and
Talking Points
What are the meanings of the word world in the
Bible?
1. The word world is used in a number of
different ways in the Bible - meaning creation
(Ps. 5012), the inhabited earth (Rom. 18) or
perverted creation (Jo.1836 Rom. 122 Col.28
James 127 2 Pe.220). 2. World the totality of
unredeemed life dominated by sin outside Christ.
the opposite of created goodness. 3. Dualistic
definition of world secular and sacred. This
compartmentalization is a very great error it
implies for example that there is no
worldliness in the church, and no holiness in,
for example, politics. 5. Consider Christs
words My kingdom is not of this world. This
is not an argument against Christian involvement
in, for example, arts. Instead, Jesus was
saying that His kingdom does not arise out of the
perverted earth but derives from heaven. 6.
Christians have themselves to blame for the rapid
secularization of the west. If politics, arts,
journalism, etc. are essentially branded as
worldly or profane, is it surprising that
Christians have not more effectively stemmed the
tide of humanism in our culture? 7. Outside the
service of God there is only bondage, witting or
unwitting slavery to Satan. Where the creature
does not find its freedom in responding
obediently to the creator's norms, there it
enters bondage. 8. Satan stands at the head of a
whole hierarchy of evil spirits who seek to twist
and spoil the good gifts of the creator, and is
rooted in human sinfulness. (Sin is bondage to
Satan yet the excuse Satan made me do it is never
valid!). To the degree that these spirits are
successful, creation loses its luster, becoming
ugly rather than beautiful. ( John 1231) 9. The
sum total of human evil and rottenness in
creation (i.e. world) is therefore the result of
both human sin and the creature's enslavement to
the evil. 10. When Paul tell us to put to death
the members which are upon the earth (Col35)
and that their mind is not on earthly things
(Phil. 319), he is referring to to the fallen
and corrupted earth, not to the earth that was
declared very good in Genesis. And when Paul
says Set your mind on things above, not on
earthly things (Col.32) he does not mean that
such things as sexuality and sports and carpentry
are evil in themselves - he means they are
corrupted and polluted compared to the
perfection of Gods dwelling place. To them to
we must apply the petition Thy will be done on
earth as in heaven"
31
Summary Questions and Conclusion 1 - Explain the
meaning of structure and direction. 2 - With
respect to the relationship of structure and
direction, explain the following statements a-
creation is like a leash which keeps the vicious
dog in check. b. structure is never entirely
obliterated by (mis)direction c. evil is not
inherent in the human condition d. the law is
like a spring. 3 - What are the three meanings of
the word world in the Bible? Conclusion The
fall affects the whole range of earthly creation
sin is a parasite on and not part of creation
sin profanes all things, making them worldly and
secular, earthly. Every area of creation cries
out for redemption and the coming of the kingdom
of God. Christians in these last days are
therefore called to engage in the imaging task as
ministers of reconciliation. That is our
redemptive task it is the vocation of the body
of Christ to work together in a fallen world,
seeking to bring the forgiveness, healing and
renewal of Gods rule to bear on every area of
life. Individuals need to repent, and cultural
patterns need to be redirected. Obedience to
Christ requires no less. That is the full
radical depth of the gospel. Our Lamb has
conquered, let us follow Him.
Schedule July 11 Fall Structure and
Direction, World as Perverted Creation July 18-
Redemption Salvation as Restoration, The
Kingdom of God July 25 Redemption Jesus
Ministry, Comparison with Other Views of the
Kingdom, Illustration August 1 Discerning
Structure and Direction Reformation August 8
Discerning Structure and Direction Societal
Renewal August 15 Discerning Structure and
Direction Personal Renewal August 22 General
Discussion - Recap Action August 29 General
Discussion - Recap Action
32
Lesson 7, July 11, 1999
Rivermont Presbyterian Church College and Career
Sunday School Class
Biblical Reformational Worldview Redemption
(1) Every area of creation cries out for
redemption and the coming of the kingdom of
God.
The creation waits in eager expectation for the
sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its
An Outline For Discussion
Introduction We have seen how the concept of
creation must be taken much more broadly and
seriously than Christians ordinarily take it. We
have also discussed how mankinds fall into sin
affects the entire creation. All of this has
been preparation for making the basic point that
the redemption achieved by Jesus Christ is cosmic
in the sense that it restores the whole
creation. This confession has two parts. The
first is that redemption means restoration - that
is, the return to the goodness of an originally
good creation and not merely the addition of
something supercreational. The second is that
this restoration affects the whole of creational
life and not merely some limited area within it.
Both of these affirmations are crucial to an
integral biblical wolrdview, and both are
pregnant with important consequences for
Christian discipleship. A. Walters
33
With respect to the relationship of structure and
direction, explain the following statements a-
creation is like a leash which keeps the vicious
dog in check. b. structure is never entirely
obliterated by (mis)direction c. evil is not
inherent in the human condition d. the law is
like a spring.

Salvation as Restoration Theses and Talking
Points 1 - It is quite striking that virtually
all the basic words describing salvation in the
Bible imply a return to an original good state or
situation. Redemption (buy back), Renewal,
Regeneration, Restoration 2 - Acknowledging this
scriptural emphasis, theologians have sometimes
spoken of salvation as re-creation 3 - The
implications are many. Marriage should not be
avoided, but sanctified Emotions should not be
repressed, but purified Sexuality is not simply
to be shunned, but redeemed Politics should not
be declared off-limits, but reformed. 4 -
Redemption is not a matter of an addition of a
spiritual or supernatural dimension to creaturely
life that was lacking before rather, it is a
matter of bringing new life and vitality to what
was there all along.
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