Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 35:1 (Mar 1992)
Article: Creation And Redemption: A Study Of Kingdom Interplay
Author: H. Wayne House

JETS 35:1 (March 1992) p. 3

Creation And Redemption:
A Study Of Kingdom Interplay

H. Wayne House*

The subject of the created order has received considerable popular attention through the political awareness campaigns of environmental or ecology organizations in recent years. Some additional and related interest in creation has been invigorated because of the rise and growth of new-age religion. In the Church, however, there has generally been little discussed in this area, other than the creation/evolution controversy. Instead the popular and scholarly interest of the Church has centered on the new creation in Christ and the kingdom of God to come. God’s providential kingdom, his creation of all things (creatio ex nihilo) and their maintenance by him (creatio continua) are relegated to minor interest. This has not always been the case.

I. The Early Approach To Creation And Redemption

1. Creation and redemption in the early Christian Church. The broad themes of creation and redemption have occupied the attention of Christian theology from its very inception. The NT writers weaved these subjects from the fabric of Hebrew literature and the teaching of our Lord. The early Church fathers spoke on both themes also, carefully charting a course between the dualism regarding creation rampant in Hellenistic philosophy and gnosticism1 and avoiding the inadequate redemptive views of the pagan cults and mysteries tied in with monistic nature religion.2 These early Christian theologians were careful to distinguish between God

* Wayne House, an author and lecturer living at 4996 Wagon Rim Court SE, Salem, Oregon 97301, delivered this presidential address at the 43rd annual meeing of ETS on November 21, 1991, in Kansas City, Missouri.

JETS 35:1 (March 1992) p. 4

and the world in creation on the one hand and God in redemption as the one who initiates salvation within his creation for fallen humanity and creation in general on the other. The Church saw the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who joined together these elements into his person and work. Certainly God is presented in Scripture as far above the world in creation and near the world in redemption. But likewise he has demonstrated himself to work within the creation over which he is Lord. Thus the early Christian Church presents a blending of the order of creation and the order of redemption, which demonstrates the unity of the purposes of God.

2. Modern theology and creation and redemption. Contrary to this Biblical approach is the tendency in modern theology to see the creation as inferior and material and the new creat...