Sin and Grace???

The primary focus of the discussion is on the theology regarding the purpose of human existence.

Eschatological Naturalism: A concern raised by some theologians regarding the future destiny of humans.
- Questions whether human destiny is sufficiently grounded in God or primarily associated with horizontal, natural entities.
- It reacts against Platonism.
Michael Williams' View on Grace:
- States that grace does not elevate human nature.
- Argument: Grace neither annihilates creation nor makes it irrelevant but restores and renews creation.
- Emphasizes that redeemed humanity is restored to its rightful role as representatives of God, rather than becoming divine or being prepared for a heavenly existence.
- Kingdom of God: Not only redemptive but seeks to restore creation itself.

Concerns from Theologians like Michael Allen:
- Points out the lack of acknowledgment of God's centrality in the neo-Calvinist views of eschatology.
- Warns that these views risk being overly naturalistic by failing to emphasize God's significance.

Resurrection Explanation:
- "What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable."
- "It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory."
- "It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power."
- Important Concept: The body raised is referred to as a spiritual body versus a natural body.
- Significance: The spiritual body represents a significant ontological difference, transcending the remedial nature of current existence.

Discussion on how the vertical relationship of humanity to God influences the purpose of human life.
Increasing focus in the 20th century on horizontal relationships (humanity's connection with the natural order).
The concern for a resurgence of discussions centering on God's purpose as fundamentally vertical (God-centered).

Eschatology Definition: The study of last things or the vision of the future.
Soteriology Definition: The study of salvation, deriving from the Greek word soter, meaning savior.
Vos asserts that before addressing soteriology (salvation from sin), the creation's intrinsic eschatological intention must be recognized.
- Focus is not merely returning to a state of perfection but understanding how God’s eschatological intention can still manifest despite the reality of sin.
Key Insights from Genesis: Connection of the tree of life and access cut off by sin, which symbolizes the promise of restoration in Revelation.

Gavin Ortman on Augustine's Theology of Creation: Emphasizes that true perfection of creation comes from vertical alignment with God rather than horizontal relations.
- This suggests creatures find their completeness in their relationship with God, implying a much deeper interconnectedness between creation's purpose and divine instruction.

The relationship between work and rest throughout the Old and New Covenants.
- Under the Old Covenant: Humans worked for six days, culminating in a Sabbath of rest, signifying divine completion of creation.
- Under the New Covenant: The completion of divine work through Christ transforms work and rest dynamics, permitting Christians to enter rest as a gift rather than through labor.
Christ's Fulfillment: Christ embodies the original command of dominion over creation, fidelity in obedience, and gains access to the tree of life, offering the same to those who are united with Him.

Deification: Becoming like God (also termed divinization or theosis), a recognized theme across various Christian denominations (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant).
- Key Scriptural Reference: 2 Peter 1:3-4 - God’s divine power allows partaking in the divine nature while escaping corruption.
- Urges the understanding of future states relating to divine likeness.

Important to engage with Calvin’s commentary on 2 Peter 1:4 regarding transformation without becoming divine.
Emphasis: Humanity becomes more representative of divine qualities without a change of essence.

Origin of Sin: Discusses various theological views, emphasizing the unique Christian perspective that positions the will of the creature as the source of sin rather than externalities.
Human Solidarity with Adam: Explores the inheritance of sin through Adam's actions and the implications of the covenant relationship established with him.

Understanding Freedom: Explains that freedom is not an absolute capacity to act but rather the ability to follow one’s will, whether shaped by sin or righteousness.
Sin as Habit Formation: The idea that a continuous engagement in sin creates habits, leading to decreased freedom in the capacity for goodness.
Concept of Total Depravity: Clarifies that it refers to the breadth of sin's impact on humanity rather than the absolute intensity of sin in every individual.

Sin as Privation: Defines sin as a lack or corruption rather than a separate entity.
- Equipped with metaphors (e.g., a bucket with a hole) to illustrate how sin operates as a deficit of good.
Relative Nature of Sin: Discusses how sin correlates to the intended purpose of a thing.

Inward Turn (in verbo se): Characterizes sin as a self-centered displacement of God’s primacy, leading to a loss of true self-satisfaction and purpose.

Augustine’s Concept: Describes two ways to relate to anything: through use (utility) and enjoyment (fruition).
- Proper Love: Affirms that God is the only object of fruition; everything else should be used as aids towards that end.
Sin's Impact on Love: Illustrates how disordered loves occur when creatures seek satisfaction in creation rather than Creator.
- Assertions on how to recognize and foster rightly ordered love towards God and other beings appropriately.
Conclusion: The essence of humanity and its relationship to God is central to understanding both sin and the divine plan for redemption through eschatology and soteriology.