Christian Worldview Concepts

Essentials of the Christian Worldview

Redemption

God's plan of redemption, first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, entails His plan to reverse all of the effects of the Fall. God is not content to merely salvage a few souls from this contaminated world, but He intends to redeem everything from the ravages of sin. He will not rest until He has restored everything to its original, created goodness. Scripture clearly teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way by which redemption is obtained (John 14:6), not only for personal salvation, but also for the ultimate restoration of God's creation. This theme can be followed throughout the pages of Scripture as well as traced through the progression of human history. The following is true concerning God's plan of redemption:

• All of creation is included in the redemptive plan of God (Romans 8:18-21).
• God is not only involved in individual "heart redemption"¹ but in redeeming all that has been corrupted by sin.
• The redemption of human beings is through the finished work of Christ alone: his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and return.
• Christians, as redeemed imagebearers of God, are called to live "redemptive" lives in their homes, communities, vocations, and so forth by using their God-given capacities to push back the effects of the Fall. In this sense, non-believers are given as glimpse of what the consummation will be like.

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¹ See Cornelius Plantinga, Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002), pp. 71-99.