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Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview

Albert M. Wolters,

Michael W. Goheen

4.08 · Rating details · 898 ratings · 87 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 advanc ...more

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Paperback, 155 pages

Published November 10th 2005 by Eerdmans (first published January 1st 1985)

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May 01, 2012 Randy Alcorn added it

Shelves: theology-and-apologetics

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 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 3:21, Romans 8:18-23, and other Scriptures. Regrettably, I have seen few since. For too long we have reduced and distorted the gospel to the snatching of souls from earth to a distant and intangible realm suitable for angels, not people. Yet the Bible shows that in His unfolding drama of redemption, God is at work to reclaim not just our souls, but our bodies, and not just our bodies, but the Earth from which that first human body was made, and over which God purposed us to reign.

Al Wolters concisely and persuasively demonstrates that God’s plan for righteous humanity to live on and reign over an uncursed earth was not thwarted by Satan or by man’s sin. (How small a God he would be if that were the case.) He never revoked or abandoned his original great commission for us to rule a good earth to his glory. The last chapters of the Bible promise that God’s original design revealed in the first chapters, greatly enhanced and magnified through Christ’s work, will indeed be fulfilled on a New Earth. Having fallen on mankind’s coat-tails, the earth will rise on our coat-tails, so that resurrected humanity will occupy and rule a resurrected Earth. This is the full gospel of the kingdom, and it is one that is vital to a biblical worldview. It alone explains the Bible’s description of Christians as those who are “looking forward to a new heaven and new earth.”

Creation Regained is biblically and philosophically sound, and offers an understanding that is both refreshing and satisfying. It will be for many a paradigm shifting perspective, one desperately needed by today’s churches and families. The penetrating insights Al Wolters brings will help us to stop redefining the gospel in narrow and shallow and individualistic terminology and assumptions which discredit the breadth and depth of God’s redemptive plan. Readers of this book will celebrate a central and liberating truth that has become tragically obscure: God has no more given up on the rest of his creation than he has given up on us.

The new Postscript to Creation Regained brings together and clarifies key elements of this vital discussion. It’s an insightful and welcome addition to the book. Regardless of your theological leanings, you have much to gain from reading this great book. I highly recommend it. ...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Brian Collins rated it it was amazing

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

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Feb 14, 2011 Seph rated it it was amazing

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

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Mar 09, 2011 Kevin McClain rated it it was amazing

This book changed my life; God used it to speak the Gospel to me afresh.

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Mar 06, 2017 Simon rated it liked it

Shelves: theology

Not especially compelling, although some helpful points. Read for teaching purposes.

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Mar 24, 2011 Philip rated it really liked it

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 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 a biblical worldview (viz., Creation, Fall, and Redemption). In all of these areas, the writer guides the reader to the understanding that the cosmic significance of the Gospel has much to do with the moral and ethical choices of the believer. Throughout these three chapters as well as the conclusion, the reader is driven away from poor paradigms (secular vs. sacred, categorically good vs. categorically bad) to a wholly different paradigm (redeemed vs. fallen). In essence, when doing studies in ethics, Wolters would have Christians ask these questions: 1. What was God's creative ideal (law) in this area? 2. In what way has the depravity of fallen man marred this ideal? 3. In what ways can we see the creative ideal restored through the Gospel? These questions will directly affect the life of a believer if their answers are translated into practice. Wolters' conclusion is extremely practical. The summary chapter was very helpful in its added dimensions and explanations.

Overall, the work was an enjoyable and enlightening read. Several flaws may exist in the argument and in the work as a whole. Some of these may be more significant depending on ones' denominational and theological background. First, Wolters stands committedly in the Reformed tradition. One who is outside those bounds may find some disconnect with the views of the writer. For example, Wolters takes a somewhat unfair shot at Dispensationalism (79) by stating that they only hold to the kingdom as millennial. Also, some of the concepts such as a "cultural mandate" and "redeeming culture" are predicated on an understanding of Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture," and his concept of "Christ redeeming culture." Most premillennialists struggle with this position due to what they see as a downturn in morality at the end of the current age, rather than a slow victory in the realm of culture. That being said, dispensationalists will not disagree in whole with the premise of the work. Even the concept of the Church battling towards victory (albeit, not accomplished until after the millennium) in the realm of ethics is supported by most dispensationalists who are more than willing to combat the pessimistic possibilities of their theology.

These concerns are only significant to a select few, so they are of little significance. The book itself is extremely significant. While only an introduction to redemptive worldviews, the work turns the eyes of the reader to the Gospel in order to find the deepest of ethical implications. ...more

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Jun 20, 2013 Stephen rated it it was amazing

In the tradition of Kuyper, Vollenhoven, and Dooyeweerd, Albert Wolters seeks to describe the framework for a Christian "reformational" approach to the redemption and restoration of the all areas of human life through the power of the Gospel in Jesus Christ. There are two fundamental principles of this often-called "neo-calvinist" position. The first is the rejection of a nature-grace dualism. The natural, created world (pre-lapsarian) has its own integrity. It is inherently good, not good due t In the tradition of Kuyper, Vollenhoven, and Dooyeweerd, Albert Wolters seeks to describe the framework for a Christian "reformational" approach to the redemption and restoration of the all areas of human life through the power of the Gospel in Jesus Christ. There are two fundamental principles of this often-called "neo-calvinist" position. The first is the rejection of a nature-grace dualism. The natural, created world (pre-lapsarian) has its own integrity. It is inherently good, not good due to an added supernatural category, i.e., grace. In others words, nothing "non-creational" is necessary to make creation good. The fall corrupted nature, and grace is the restoration of nature. The fall was not a removal of grace from nature (and thereby making it corrupt), but the event necessitated grace for nature's restoration. The fall resulted not from a loss of grace; it resulted in the necessity of grace. Thus what Wolter's calls the "structures" of nature/creation (the arts, business, sexuality, cultural institutions, politics, etc.) were in themselves sound, yet humans, through the fall, deviate from their associated norms. Grace is necessary for the correct "direction" or conformity to these norms. But it must be stressed that the goodness of pre-lapsarian creation was not due to the presence of a supernatural grace, but due to a simple declaration by God that it was good. The implication is that any work in an area of human life, such as the work of an artist, is potentially kingdom work. It is not just the salvation of souls, or the works of ministers, or the contemplation of the divine by monks in a monastery. All work is equally good when creation is being redeemed.

The second fundamental principles is that Christians presently have a mandate to restore all of creation. Wolters never says that the work of Christians will bring the New Jerusalem down from heaven. But he does insist that the work of re-creation or restoration of all aspects of human life, though hindered by sin, is presently a Christian responsibility. Being united to Christ, the Second Adam, and being his ministers on earth, we are to assume our redeemed position in the second Adam and seek to fulfill the work of Adam. In other words, we are to seek to form civilization.

Every Christian must deal with the fact that being a Christian means being united to the Second Adam; and that Adam, being a creature and the God-mandated lord of creation, was part of the created order, the created norms and laws of God. Obeying these laws and norms would produce civilization. What then ought those in the Second Adam do when seeking to obey all that Christ, the manifestation of God's law/character, commands us to do? This is a question we must all answer. ...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Sarah rated it liked it

“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

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Mar 18, 2015 Phillip Nash rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An outstanding book that takes a fresh approach to the idea of a Biblical world view - a term that has some problems with it. Wolters more theologically oriented approach is much more helpful in laying out a framework for Christians to engage in redemptive restoration. His use of Structure and Direction are very thought provoking as a means of understanding that the earth is the Lords yet sin has spoiled what God declared good. An essential read for anyone involved in Christian schooling but pro ...more

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Sep 06, 2013 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Though written in a rather scholarly tone, this book is a gem. There were a few views espoused that I would disagree with, but overall, I did a good bit of underlining and "amen"ing in the margins. Reading it was hard work, but it was worth it in the end. Books like that always have such interesting and unique insights. I wish these types of books could be written in a less dry way so as to be more accessible to laypeople.

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Mar 08, 2012 Brad rated it it was amazing

one of the best I've read

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Jun 09, 2015 Martin rated it liked it

Shelves: christian-philosophy, theology

As early as the first paragraph Wolters states the purpose of this book, namely “…an attempt to spell out the content of a biblical worldview and its significance for our lives as we seek to be obedient to the Scriptures”. He clearly defines worldview as “…the comprehensive framework of one’s basic belief about things”. It is belief that plays a decisive factor in all of our lives. The main subject of the book is that the “…Scriptures speaks centrally to everything in our life and world”, and th As early as the first paragraph Wolters states the purpose of this book, namely “…an attempt to spell out the content of a biblical worldview and its significance for our lives as we seek to be obedient to the Scriptures”. He clearly defines worldview as “…the comprehensive framework of one’s basic belief about things”. It is belief that plays a decisive factor in all of our lives. The main subject of the book is that the “…Scriptures speaks centrally to everything in our life and world”, and that such a biblical worldview is simply “…an appeal to the believer to take the Bible and its teaching seriously for the totality of our civilization right now”. Both the purpose and the subject are linked clearly to the sub-title of the book. However, the main title of the book is a mystery to the reader: why the focus on creation and what does “regained” mean? A clear thesis statement is also lacking, but with some leniency it is implicit in Wolters’ use of the terminology of “structure” and “direction” to clarify the relevance of worldview in relation to theology and philosophy as one comprehensive way in understanding the world.

The book presents a clear structure that “…stress[es] the breath and range of creation and the effects of sin and salvation on that creation in its full extent.” After having defined what a biblical worldview means, Wolters progresses to discuss the basic biblical categories of creation, fall and redemption in three separate chapters, before circling back to a discussion on “structure” and “direction” in a final chapter to justify the use of such a biblical worldview. His conclusion is succinctly contained in a few pages in a final chapter. A postscript is added that “…links the discussion of worldview to both the grand narrative of Scripture and the centrality of mission”.

The theme of a biblical worldview is developed by filtering the experience of things through what he calls the “corrective lens of Scripture”, hence the logical ordering of chapters into Creation, Fall and Redemption. God created the world good and He imposes his law on the cosmos through the laws of nature and through norms shaped by involving human responsibility. In both these cases it is God the Creator who has posited the world order, and both are seen as universal laws for all of creation. In such a sense the “creation law” extends not only to the natural world, but also to all of human civilization, and this is revealed for everyone to see or experience in their consciences. Creation is further not understood as one act, but is opened up through the historical process.

The inclusion of human responsibility and culture in the opening up of creation raises the question how sin affects creation. Wolters cites several examples to illustrate that all of creation is affected by sin, but that creation itself remains distinct from sin. To explain this position Wolters expouds on the concepts of structure and direction: “Structure is anchored in the law of creation, the creational decree of God…” while “[d]irection…designates the order of sin and redemption…either toward or away from God”.

Every area of the created order seeks redemption. It is through salvation that the original good creation is restored. Redemption is bringing “…new life and vitality to what was there all along”. God’s kingship in the whole world was witnessed to in Jesus Christ, through his healing and restoring work. Wolters ends the chapter with a discussion of this kingdom view against all other views that tends to narrow its cosmic scope.

A “reformational analysis” on structure and direction informs practical implications of the biblical worldview. An attitude of renewal and sanctification of all of creation on both societal and personal levels is needed. Wolters uses thoughtful examples of building on the good in societal order as opposed to revolution, as well as in human emotions such as aggression, in spiritual gifts, in sexuality and in dancing.

The book provides a very brief treatment of the content of a biblical worldview to all aspects of our lives. Wolters concludes that the book does not provide answers, but its main contribution lies in the framing of our questions. In the preface Wolters recommends that the book is read as a companion volume to other more extensive treatments of the material. In the postscript it is clarified that “[w]orldview articulation can play a mediating role between the gospel and the missionary calling of God’s people”. Thus, the purpose of the book is narrowed down to its relevance for “…the development of a systematic Christian philosophy”. When one reads the book with the postscript in mind, the book comes closer to its own stated goal. The relevance of a biblical worldview to be obedient to Scripture may at best be in a mediating role. Wolters seems to acknowledge this point by stating that the whole narrative of Scripture is richer than the systematic presentation of creation, fall and redemption. God’s renewal of all of creation takes place in the work of Jesus Christ by the Spirit. Indeed, being obedient to God by having faith in Jesus Christ is where the real significance for our lives is.

I am impressed by the cosmic scope of creation, fall and redemption communicated in this little book. Wolters is clear on key aspects in Scripture: God created the world, human responsibility has been important right from the cultural mandate onwards, the fall in sin affected not only humanity but the whole of creation, and redemption has a similar cosmic scope. Scripture has a practical relevance for all of our lives: we are called to cleanse and reform all sectors of our lives, while seeking the good in all of creation. God can be trusted that he will not let go the works of his hands. For an audience without such a broad view of God’s kingdom such a message may indeed be profound and a vital correction.

The concepts of “structure” and “direction” to explain the relevance of a biblical worldview do not entirely convince. Why and how the “structural” should be interpreted as normative remains contested. Moral order in a new creation can only be found in God’s revelation in Christ, and it is through and in him that we have no excuse but to read the glory of God in the book of creation. I am cautious on our own ability to know, while still in a fallen world not yet fully recreated into Christ. Economic structures, for example, are created through human choices in different times, places and cultures. The pertinent question is how any economic structure conforms as well as possible to the new moral order of Christ. This may be what Wolters is alluding to in the postscript when citing the example of Paul’s instruction concerning households to be within the culture without conforming to its idolatry. The locus of social ethics in any structure is conformity to Christ, the Lord of all, and not so much a desire to understand creational norms or a defense on the boundaries of the various sovereign spheres. The anxiety to find the right structure dissipates and all energy and faith can now be directed towards Christ who gives life.

In sum, Wolters produced a little book with a powerful cosmic scope that can be read fruitfully as an introductory text to a biblical worldview. The postscript to the second edition of the book addresses several of its earlier weaknesses.
...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Ryan rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, owned-books, religion-theology

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. MY SUMMARY AND NOTES: Wolters begins with explaining what a worldview is and why it is important. For Christians, he explains, worldview is defined by Scripture and the instructions it gives. Importantly, he argues that our worldview encompasses all aspects of our life, not just our theological principles or worship practices. This means that in the Reformational worldview regards redemption through Christ as the restoration of the original creation. So the whole point of salvation is to salvage MY SUMMARY AND NOTES: Wolters begins with explaining what a worldview is and why it is important. For Christians, he explains, worldview is defined by Scripture and the instructions it gives. Importantly, he argues that our worldview encompasses all aspects of our life, not just our theological principles or worship practices. This means that in the Reformational worldview regards redemption through Christ as the restoration of the original creation. So the whole point of salvation is to salvage a sin-disrupted creation. He organizes the book based on the categories of Creation, Sin, and Redemption (restoration)

*** God governs His universe through two kinds of laws, laws of nature and norms. Although the natural laws are obvious (and available for study), the laws associated with norms are less clear because a norm like “Be just” could be carried out in many different ways. Nevertheless, the author argues that part of seeking “re-creation” is to try to discover the “norms” that God set out in his original creation. The author argues that the “knowability” of creation is often accepted in the natural sciences, but met with skepticism when it is applied to the social sciences and humanities. While many Christians argue that this kind of “spiritual discernment” of original creation is not possible, the Reformed perspective is that God’s revelatory power allows this. The author argues evidence for this comes from Paul’s words in Colossians that ask us to pray to God for Him to fill us with the knowledge of His will”. This pertains not only to personal decisions, etc. in life, but also everything from journalism and artistic aesthetics. –So which is the right way? Wolters sometimes seems to argue that this is wholly discernible by Christians (i.e., there is one “right way” of carrying out God’s will for His creation in these disciplines. This approach seems fraught with the danger of divisiveness given the inevitable disagreements among Christians on what constitutes a "re-created" perspective in a particular discipline.

***Wolters points out that the creation of the world was only the beginning, and it must be further developed by Christians according to God’s word and will. Sin does not annihilate the normative development of civilization, but rather, sin is like a parasite that tries to undo and deform that development. In fact, the author argues that when Christ comes and the earth is “remade”, it will still include the transfigured and transformed cultural arts of this world, just as our bodies, although glorified and remade will still be our bodies. Thus, creation, apart from sin, is wholly good.

***The fall touched all of creation, not just human nature. In fields such as the arts, you can see this perversion of creation through things like kitsch and bad taste in general in painting, poetry, music, etc. This means that we can define what is “normal” vs. what is “abnormal” according to God’s intentions with His creation.

***He articulates the distinction between “structure” and “direction” of creation. Structure refers to the order of creation, or what makes a thing the entity that it is (i.e., essence). Direction, on the other hand, designates the degree of distortion or restoration of everything from people to objects to movements. In other words, this means classifying God’s creation and established norms as either being obedient to him or disobedient. If they still conform to God’s design, they are being obedient, but if they move against His design it is thought of as disobedience. Importantly, structure is never entirely obliterated by direction.

***Defining common grace: Through God’s goodness to believers and unbelievers alike, God’s faithfulness to creation still bears fruit in humankind’s personal, society, and cultural lives. This differs from “special grace” where sin is not only curbed, but atoned and forgiven. It can also be thought of as “conserving grace”.

***Wolters carefully defines “world” as it is used in Scripture. Specifically, when it says “we are not of this world” it is referring to the sin-infested aspects of creation, not the original creation God made or certain disciplines that are often thought of as secular such as politics, sports, business, etc. Thus, we should never abandon these fields to the secular world.

***The restoration chapter makes the basic point that through Christ’s resurrection, He has atoned for his entire creation, therefore it can remove all of sin’s effects in every domain. Thus, the new redeemed humanity is called to bring renewal to all of His creation. Wolters argues that Jesus ministry on earth demonstrated this kind of restoration through His miracles.

***He contrasts this view of God’s kingdom in this world with other views. Pietism restricts the kingdom of God to the life of the inner soul. Some traditions restrict the kingdom of God to the institutional church. For these people, only the clergy are engaged in full-time “kingdom work”. Dispensationalists only think of the kingdom of God in the future, as in, the kingdom is coming soon with the end of the world (millennialism). Classic liberal Protestantism associates any progressive policy or movement as part of God’s kingdom (social gospel). Liberation theology is similar, only it is more specific to kinds of political movements that are supposed to be consistent with God’s kingdom.

***He distinguishes the terms “sanctified” from “consecrated”; sanctify means to make free from sin, or internal renewal, while consecrate means to set apart or dedicate for the worship or service to God, or external renewal. All of creation is to be sanctified through Christ through progressive renewal of his structures of creation (i.e., we are not to overthrow or get rid of a structure, simply work towards correcting its direction).

***Each area of society has its own “sphere sovereignty” or “differentiated responsibility”. That means that each should be restored to creation in a distinct way (e.g., you should not run a church like a business or a business like a church). This also means that no sphere has the right to control or dominate any other sphere (e.g., like in a totalitarian state where the government dominates all other spheres).

***In his final chapters he goes through several examples of human concepts (e.g., aggression, spiritual gifts, sex, etc.) and shows how to analyze them using the structure and direction concepts. With each, he argues, you can identify the basic structure (form) and separate that from the good or bad direction with which it has been used. ...more

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Apr 28, 2017 Kiel rated it really liked it

This short book was assigned by my school's leadership as professional development to all the staff. I've read ahead and finished. It's a helpful read. It does fall prey to what I find in most treatises on Christian worldview of any flavor, trying to hand a finished ideological product to the reader without furnishing the essential foundations to such a product. It has been interesting to hear the questions coming from colleagues who wonder how the author reaches his conclusions because he summa ...more

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Mar 11, 2018 Kirsten rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-read-it-again-sam, adult-nonfiction

This was another book I originally read in college that was fairly influential in the maturation of my worldview (not surprisingly, since it's a book about worldview). It's a bit of a dry read, but the concepts in it are really useful, with a lot of potential for application in all of life (which is kind of the point). I wish there was a simplified version of this book to recommend to newer believers or those without an academic background, as I would be hesitant to recommend this particular boo ...more

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Sep 26, 2018 Mike Tsui rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, theology

可能因為年紀大了... 變得沒耐心讀太硬的書... 很久沒能靜心看完一本信仰or哲學相關的書，常常翻個幾頁就看不下去...

最近特別挑了一本比較薄的書來看。

這本書簡潔地介紹著基督教神學的世界觀，透過所謂「創造」與「再造」(救恩)的神學觀念去建構詮釋的基礎框架，並闡述在這樣的意識形態框架中如何去對現今的事物進行詮釋。

透過這樣的詮釋框架，書中釐清不少傳統基督教的偏差觀念，並在最後的補充章節中對「福音」的意涵進行廣義的、有別於傳統觀念的精采詮釋。

對我而言，最印象深刻的觀念在於其所表達上帝創造工作的現在進行式，人類在各種社會、科學、文化、體制等領域的發展，其實就是當初上帝創造工作的延續。

或許也可以這樣說，創造不是一件在歷史中的一個時間點的事件，上帝在永恆之中的創造，其所象徵的意涵代表從起初、現在、乃至於未來都是被包含在創造的過程中。

有學到新東西...

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Aug 30, 2017 Samuel Kassing rated it really liked it

This is a fairly academic book. Particularly the chapter on creation. Wolters does a good job of laying out the foundation of a Christian worldview. His categories of "structure" and "direction" are helpful in handling God's good creation with wisdom and maturity. This is probably the best, shorter, treatment on the negative affects of the sacred secular divide that I've encountered.

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Mar 25, 2018 Paul S. Finch rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Powerful book about biblical WV

This is a must read for all believers, a primer regarding worldview and Gospel. Study it with a group of people serious about radical, loving Gospel infiltration of the world, starting at home.

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Jun 07, 2018 Harlindo de Souza rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Um excelente, e clássico, livro introdutório ao tema da Cosmovisão cristã. Recomendadíssimo para todos os níveis de entendimento bíblico e teológico.

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Jul 19, 2017 Kyle McManamy rated it really liked it

Shelves: church-theology

Accessible and deep - establishes a great articulation of the difference made by a worldview understanding Creation/Fall/Redemption/Glory categories. I recommend this.

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Oct 08, 2018 Austin rated it liked it

A good, but long book. Probably better summarized in a few tweets rather than an entire book.

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Jun 24, 2017 Laurent Dv rated it liked it

Good intro to he christian worldview from a redempto-historic point of view : creation, fall and redemption. It would be best if a discussion on consummation was included.

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Aug 10, 2017 Cali Bakker rated it did not like it

Shelves: textbooks

The topic was interesting but I did not enjoy reading the book. The author's tone came across extremely patronizing.

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Jun 07, 2018 Natalyn Chamberlain rated it liked it

This is a book I had to read in college. Although it was forced reading, this book was enjoyable.

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Dec 31, 2017 Patrick Russo rated it it was amazing

Best primer on Christian worldview.

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Jul 20, 2017 Zach McDonald rated it it was amazing

Shelves: worldview

Exceptionally written and articulated. Don't agree with every application but this is a very important book that I would reread again in the future.

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Mar 10, 2017 Anggun Huang rated it really liked it

This book is really for students who are learning theology.

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Mar 03, 2017 Amanda Kieffer rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-2017-book-challenge

Excellent! Every Christian should read this book. Provides a great explanation of Biblical Worldview and the importance of a solid doctrine of Creation.

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Sep 27, 2013 Timothy Darling rated it really liked it

Philosophy is scary to many people. It conjures images of men in togas talking endlessly in odd tones about esoteric things ... in circles probably, it's hard to tell. As I told my philosophy professor, "people become philosophers so nobody can tell them they're wrong." What philosophy accomplishes if it is done well is to help a person recognize and be able to consciously observe their own world view: What is? How do we know? What should we do?

This book helps along those lines for the thoughtfu Philosophy is scary to many people. It conjures images of men in togas talking endlessly in odd tones about esoteric things ... in circles probably, it's hard to tell. As I told my philosophy professor, "people become philosophers so nobody can tell them they're wrong." What philosophy accomplishes if it is done well is to help a person recognize and be able to consciously observe their own world view: What is? How do we know? What should we do?

This book helps along those lines for the thoughtful Christian in a Protestant tradition, dare I say it, also in other traditions. Certainly, the careful reader will see a good bit of reformed doctrine and a deep dose of Calvinism in the book, but that is to be expected from the title itself. Better though is the clear and simple way Wolters cuts through the complexity of theology to say simply: this is the world we live in, this is how it was damaged, and this is what God is doing about it ... consequently, understanding this also defines your own participation in what God is doing about it.

In spite of the authors' protests to the contrary, the book is an elucidation of the Gospel message. Man was created in God's image, he fell, God undertook a plan to redeem him and enlisted people in the effort. Of course, it is a rather deep and detailed look at the ramifications of that story for how we live. Primarily Wolters surfaces one very practical idea: look at any given thing -- farming, sex, music, employment -- discern what about our current understanding of that thing is part of God's created order and distill out what is a product of the twistedness of the fall. In doing this we can then see what redeeming that thing involves and participate in that redemption.

Good plan, but not as simple as all that. Because it involves world view and not the pure, inspired gospel, it will involve opinions and lots of reasoning to come to anything like a sensible position. Agreement will usually involve some debate, and will sometimes not happen. However, for my own personal actions and understandings, I have a working grid with which to work. It is helpful in thinking through how we can be a witness in many regards. God created people to be able to transport things, thus, what about the transport industry in which I work is beautiful because God created it, and what is tainted by the fall.

The author is clear that the fall affects everything. "All creation groans ..." and so forth. Seeing the work of humans in, say, politics as being part of the created order may be difficult at times, but understanding that "ruling" is part of the created mandate brings things back into perspective. What did God mean and how can we do it responsibly according to His design.

These are the appropriate questions of philosophy, but they are much more practical when we think of them in terms of, say, voting. What is the created order, How do I decide this, What is twisted by the fall, and, consequently what should I do? ...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Peter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Peter by: Loz

Shelves: biblical, theology, spiritual, food-for-thought

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
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 spiritual fence (The Cross) you stand on; either redemptive or fallen. These ideas are based on the work of Dutch thinkers Herman Dooyeweerd and D.H Vollenhoven and set parameters which help to reframe questions in such a way that typical dualism and dichotomies can be avoided (rather than providing easy answers). Hence, en route, the secular/sacred, material/spiritual schism is exposed for the Gnostic heresy that it is and the responsibility and call to action is put firmly back into the Gospel. Amazing that, it we must be naturally disposed to dualistic thinking, as the author also states, for a 3rd century heresy to still be prevalent 1200 years after it's heyday!
Evil is a corruption of good, hatred a corruption of love. One parasitises the other, rather than being congruent to it. This is uniquely Christian, in comparison to many eastern cosmologies, Buddist or Toaist for instance, as well as the modern western mindset of either/or. This could be revolutionary to some peoples mindset and even lead many fundamentalists and evangelicals into 3 or even 4 dimensional thinking.
I was a little uncertain as to some of what Mr Wolters envisaged as the church's role in a society based on these views however. He states that an inherent God given structure should essentially provide a natural check to the inappropriate use of authority from one sphere of public life to another and so preclude it, such as running a hospital or a school as a profit making business. However this is precisely what we do we see in many modern Western economies. He fails to clearly delineate exactly what nature of authority the church carries with regards to government, economy, social services etc... however and as a consequence appears to be suggesting that state affairs would remain seperate from church affairs, which sounds a little like the very split he aims to avoid. This is only mentioned briefly in the closing chapters, so I would like to read a more in depth account on this point but, this book remains an excellent introduction and point of departure non the less.

Free moral agents for Jesus! ...more

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“Christians should actively engage in efforts to make every societal institution assume its own responsibility, warding off the interference of others. That, too, is participation in the restoration of creation and the coming of the kingdom of God.” — 0 likes

“When we read Christ's words "my kingdom is not of this world," many of us are inclined to understand it as an argument against Christian involvement in politics, for example. Instead, Jesus was saying that his kingship does non arise out of (Greek: ek) the perverted earth but derives from heaven.” — 0 likes

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