The Creation of the World Genesis 1 1

The Creation of the World Genesis 1: 1 -31; 2: 1 -3 NIV

Eschaton – “last things” Telos – end goal or purpose The Bible & the Future Eschatology inquires about: • corporate human telos “Where are we going? ” • personal purpose “Where am I going? ” • goal of the cosmos “Where is creation going? ”

From Creation to Eschaton The biblical story (past-present-future) summarized: • God creates the earth as a home for us, and the cosmos as a temple for his presence (Gen 1 -2) • God made human beings as image bearers and conduits of his Spirit; giving us power to work the Garden and care for it; to be fruitful & multiply; to lovingly rule over the animal kingdom • The first human pair sins, they are removed from the Tree of Life and experience brokenness (Gen 3)

From Creation to Eschaton, Cont. The biblical story (past-present-future) summarized: • God immediately begins his redemptive work (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, etc. ); promises to bless all nations and the land/earth • God calls Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt and foreshadows what he will do in Jesus— freed from bondage to inherit the “promised land” • God patiently reveals himself through judges, kings, and prophets of Israel; preparing the way for the Messiah and the saving work of Christ

From Creation to Eschaton, Cont. The biblical story (past-present-future) summarized: • In the fullness of time, God the Father sends his Son (the Word made flesh) into our broken world; revealing God’s love for the whole cosmos (Jn 3: 16) • Jesus confronts the powers that rule the world and exploit the earth; he embodies the Kingdom, he promises the “renewal of all things” (Mt 19: 28), and is crucified—causing the earth to quake! (Mt 27: 54) • Jesus is resurrected in a glorious new body; vows to return and set the world right in the final judgement

From Creation to Eschaton, Cont. The biblical story (past-present-future) summarized: • Jesus ascends to the Father and then sends the Holy Spirit to give birth and empower the church— the “Body of Christ”—to proclaim and embody the good news to all the earth until he comes again • The Apostle Paul said that those who are in Christ are a “new creation” (2 Cor 5: 17), even as the old world waits for its liberation (Rom 8: 18 -25) • Finally, Revelation speaks of a resurrected world where all things are made new (Rev 21 -22)

2 Peter 3: 3 -13 NIV – The Day of the Lord 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. ” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (lit. “found/discovered”)* KJV – “burned up” (inferior GK manuscript) NRSV – “disclosed” ESV & NCV – “exposed” (VOICE) – “seen as they truly are”

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Eschatology Shapes Your View of Life & the Future of Planet Earth If you believe that planet Earth is destined for the cosmic trashcan and that we’re bound for an entirely different world, then…

Eschatology Shapes Your View of Life & the Future of Planet Earth If you believe that planet Earth is destined for the cosmic trashcan and that we’re bound for an entirely different world, then… • You are more likely to adopt an escapist mindset, e. g. “It’s all gonna burn!”

Eschatology Shapes Your View of Life & the Future of Planet Earth If you believe that planet Earth is destined for the cosmic trashcan and that we’re bound for an entirely different world, then… • You are more likely to adopt an escapist mindset, e. g. “It’s all gonna burn!” • Heaven becomes our ethereal, fly-away, disembodied “home” where the resurrection of our bodies and the cosmos isn’t necessary

Eschatology Shapes Your View of Life & the Future of Planet Earth If you believe that planet Earth is destined for the cosmic trashcan and that we’re bound for an entirely different world, then… • You are more likely to adopt an escapist mindset, e. g. “It’s all gonna burn!” • Heaven becomes our ethereal, fly-away, disembodied “home” where the resurrection of our bodies and the cosmos isn’t necessary • The gospel is reduced to a “sinner’s prayer” and people are merely objects for conversion

Eschatology Shapes Your View of Life & the Future of Planet Earth If you believe that planet Earth is destined for the cosmic trashcan and that we’re bound for an entirely different world, then… • You are more likely to adopt an escapist mindset, e. g. “It’s all gonna burn!” • Heaven becomes our ethereal, fly-away, disembodied “home” where the resurrection of our bodies and the cosmos isn’t necessary • The gospel is reduced to a “sinner’s prayer” and people are merely objects for conversion • We are far less likely to care for the planet and see ourselves as stewards of creation.

Paul, Romans 8: 18 -25 NIV 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

“At the center of this remarkable passage is one of [Paul’s] most vivid images of hope: that of birth-pangs. The whole creation is in labor, longing for God’s new world to be born. The church is called to share that pain and that hope. The church is not to be apart from the pain of the world; it is to be in prayer at precisely the place where the world is in pain. That is part of our calling, our high but strange role within God’s purposes for new creation. ” N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: Romans Pt. 1 (pg. 153)

Good News for the Earth Questions for reflection and response:

Good News for the Earth Questions for reflection and response: 1. Does your understanding of the “good news” include the “renewal of all things” (Matt 19: 28)?

Good News for the Earth Questions for reflection and response: 1. Does your understanding of the “good news” include the “renewal of all things” (Matt 19: 28)? 2. Does the way you treat the Earth and the animal kingdom reflect a true belief in the biblical telos?

Good News for the Earth Questions for reflection and response: 1. Does your understanding of the “good news” include the “renewal of all things” (Matt 19: 28)? 2. Does the way you treat the Earth and the animal kingdom reflect a true belief in the biblical telos? 3. Are you aware of what drives your attitude toward creation (theology, politics, science, culture, etc. )?

Good News for the Earth Questions for reflection and response: 1. Does your understanding of the “good news” include the “renewal of all things” (Matt 19: 28)? 2. Does the way you treat the Earth and the animal kingdom reflect a true belief in the biblical telos? 3. Are you aware of what drives your attitude toward creation (theology, politics, science, culture, etc. )? 4. As a disciple, are you open to learning about the Earth’s delicate balance of life and what you can do to be a better steward of God’s creation?