Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview

Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09  ·  rating details  ·  291 ratings  ·  42 reviews
In this brief and straightforward examination of Christians' basic beliefs, Albert M. Wolters spells out the structure of a reformational worldview and its significance for those who seek to follow the Scriptures.Wolters begins by defining the nature and scope of a worldview, distinguishing it from philosophy or theology, and noting that the Christian community has advance...more
Paperback, 143 pages
Published November 10th 2005 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (first published January 1st 1985)
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Ryan
If this was a book about how do we ask questions, this would be an excellent five star book. However, the author writes about "biblical basics for a reformational worldview." He goes through three epochs in revelation creation, fall, and redemption and uses them to explain how we should begin to see things around us. His discussion of three epochs do a great job explaining one facet of a biblical worldview. I still wish it was slightly more developed. Does the ten commandments specifically infor...more
Randy Alcorn
Several years ago, while researching the New Earth for my book Heaven, I stumbled online upon Creation Regained. I ordered it based on its title alone (which often proves to be a big mistake). From its opening chapter on worldview, I knew I had discovered a treasure. As I read what Al Wolters had to say about creation, fall and redemption, I found myself repeatedly exclaiming “Yes!”

Until then, I had read only a few other books that resonated with the vast redemptive scope of Matthew 19:28, Acts...more
David
The point of this book is to provide a Christian world-view. Christians look at the world through the grand narrative of Creation-Fall-Redemption-New Creation. An epilogue to the latest edition answers some questions people asked about the original (what about the Old Testament, how does that fit?).

A few random, not-really-review, thoughts:

When I think of "Reformational" today I think of the churches, groups, pastors and scholars who can be described as the "New Calvinism" or the "Young, Restles...more
Philip
Through the lens of the Gospel, Wolters examines the concept of a worldview. In the first chapter, Wolters previews the topic and discusses the concept and implications of a worldview. The writer answers these and many other questions in the first chapter: What is a worldview? Why is a worldview important? Who has a worldview? Having established these foundational concepts, the following three chapters serve as a guide for a Christian worldview. Wolters uses these chapters (2-4) as the basis of...more
Justin
A good, but fairly academic description of Christian worldview foundations. Wolters is especially helpful in his insistence that the Gospel is meant to impact every part of someone's life rather than merely impacting a compartmentalized religious segment. His description of the world as both structure (good creational foundation) and direction (movement from creational foundation toward the depravity of the fall or the glory of redemption) is further helpful in dealing maturely and faithfully wi...more
Jeremy
Using the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation metanarrative, Wolters describes the Christian's worldview as rooted in affirming creational norms by discerning the structures intended by God and guiding them in the right direction. This is very helpful and perhaps even category exploding for some Christians who have been fed a version of Christianity that perhaps locates the antithesis between the city of God and the city of man somewhere in creation, resulting in a sacred/secular divide that K...more
Greg Baughman
Creation Regained is a good overview of the Kuyperian approach to a Christian world view. It may be a bit technical for the beginner (I find Cornelius Plantinga's Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living to be more accessible and easier to read, as it is written to a more general audience). Wolters' discussion of structure and direction is excellent. A fuller review of "Creation Regained" may be found here.
John
Really good intro for creating worldview categories. Love the distinctions he makes between structure and direction/reformation and revolution. Really helpful. For anyone familiar with these discussions, much of it will be introduction (like his creation, fall redemption outline). But even still, he puts some helpful stakes in the ground that will sharpen our thinking.

He has a small tendency, it seems, towards transformationalism at times, but his conclusions aren't always necessary in order bu...more
Seph
Two themes that stuck with me:

First, this book gives the proper questions for interpreting culture. "What about this is structural?" and "What about this is directional?" I have found these to be among the most important questions I've learned to ask in discerning culture.

Second, Wolters explains God's redemption cosmically. "God does not create junk, and God does not junk His creation."

With these two themes in hand, I walked away from the book thinking much more broadly about my calling to be...more
Jason Leonard
*I originally gave this 3 stars, but in the time since I read this, I have referred to the epilogue, the discussion on worldview and the concepts of structure and direction quite often. It has proved far more helpful than I initially thought. I've upped it to 4 stars... And am wondering if it will be 5 some day.*

The premise is wonderful: a thoroughly Biblical worldview will lead a follower of Christ to understand that ALL of creation is in need of redemption. Given the mass distribution of this...more
Pete
Feb 24, 2013 Pete rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Pete by: Loz

If you are a Christian, then read this book!

Does exactly what it says on the tin: regains creation or rather lays down basic lines of the scriptural paradigm that facilitate redemptive thinking and reasoning.

Mr. Wolters extends , biblically, the idea of creation from merely nice natural stuff around us into the the human condition itself, our ontology and the affairs of everyday life. He calls this 'structure', the way you approach this dictates and denotes direction, or which side of the spirit...more
Brian Collins
Summary
Basic to Wolters' argument is that all people function with a comprehensive worldview that covers every aspect of life. If a person's worldview ought to be shaped by Scripture, then Scripture must speak to every area of life. In other words, since worldviews are comprehensive, Scripture's authority and scope must be comprehensive as well. In the remainder of the book Wolters sketches what a comprehensive Christian worldview looks like.

The Christian worldview is summarized under the catego...more
Ryan
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Robert Murphy
A very good book for laying out the most basic foundation of the Christian worldview: Creation, Fall, Redemption. I'm very interested in how my professors are going to augment this to Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consumation. It is clear (at least to me) that Wolters plainly has two categories mashed together, so I don't think it'll be hard to do.

I highly recommend this book for everybody. There is some mention of Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, but always with explanation. This is a very accessible book.
Eric
If there were six stars, I would give this book six stars. But before you go out and buy it, understand this, it's a not a jaw dropper or change your life the minute you read it kind of book. It will impact your view of the world, which could make a big difference long-term.

It's a simple book. It shows a much bigger picture of Christ's redemption than just you becoming a believer. It gives a solid Biblical, Christian worldview, and it encourages the businessman that he is part of redemption, jus...more
Sarah
“Because of their two-realm theory (seeing all things as either “sacred” or “secular”), Christians have themselves to blame for the rapid secularization of the West.

If political, industrial, artistic, and journalistic life, to mention only these areas, are branded as essentially ‘worldly,’ ‘secular,’ and part of the natural domain of ‘creaturely life,’ then is it surprising that Christians have not more effectively stemmed the tide of humanism in our culture?” -pg 54

Excellent, scholarly, philoso...more
Go2therock
Initially I thought this book was quite the challenge. I'm not sure if I got smarter, caught the cadence of thought, or he began speaking more simply, but my enjoyment grew the further I went. Some really resonating thoughts here to explore.

My biggest takeaways were the explanation of the substance of things and direction. Major thought: Nothing is neutral.
Jeremy
This book is considered standard reading for anyone looking for a Christian worldview. The basic structure is creation-fall-redemption, and a particularly useful concept was the distinction between structure and direction.
Mark Ward
God created a "very good" structure upon which man was to build. Man fell into sin, distorting that good structure, bending it in the wrong direction. Christ will redeem everything touched by the fall: Grace restores nature.
Kent Kessler
Sometimes i read books and have an experience of "what?! Is this true?!" and read the rest of the book thinking and reading and looking for holes...But I didn't find any and I am thankful. A must read!
Chuck Bonadies
Single best book I have read on a Reformational Worldview. I recommend reading it on conjunction with David VanDrunen's Living in God's Two Kingdoms, which gives the alternative view.
Marney
Had good information and it went more in depth to some things that I already knew but it was too repetitive. It could have said some things in less time.
Bill MacDonald
This book, more than any other that I have read on the Reformed worldview, clarified my understanding of the ultimate end for the Christian convert.
Janice
I have read several Worldview books from the Reformed perspective and this one does add to the discussion. I thought his chapters on Creation, Fall and Redemption were very clear and helpful. He is coming from the Dutch Reformed perspective of people like Kuyper, Dooyeweerd and Vollenhoven. While I don't hold to all their views I am more sympathetic than not. His writing of structure and direction was a little confusing particularly the section on Personal Renewal. This book had a extra chapter...more
Trevor Davis
What a great book. Lots of foundational ideas for good reformed thinking. Worth reading again.
Kevin McClain
This book changed my life; God used it to speak the Gospel to me afresh.
Dave S
I am forced to read this book for a college course I am taking to finish my undergrad, but really am sinking my teeth into it. The author talks about creation, the sinful fall of man and how to reform our lives through redemption. One chapter even talks about about how Christians should be Jesus to all and in all. God doesn't call only "clergymen and missionaries" to be light for his kingdom, God calls us to be a light to all the world, even in sinful places like prison, politics and professiona...more
Peter
Somewhat dense reading and harken back to how I feel about Aristotle's Metaphysics.
Brad
one of the best I've read
David Varney
For the size of it, this book packs a punch.
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Creation Regained: Biblical Basics For A Reformational Worldview (Paperback)
Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview (Paperback)
Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview (Kindle Edition)
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