In reading through Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction by Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan P. O’Dowd, I came across a number of excellent quotes worth remembering [read my full review here]. The following excerpt flows from reflections on how Hebrew wisdom literature celebrates all of God’s creation and details how all aspects of life can be lived for God’s glory.
The dualism mentioned in this quote is all too common in Christian fundamentalism. I think the thoughts below ring true. Let me know what you think.
Creation and wisdom… thoroughly subvert the Christian dualism that has become so commonplace in too much contemporary Christianity in which the “soul” and the church–the sacred–are all that matter while the rest of the creation–the secular–is left to go it’s own way. Theologian Gordon Spykman captures the utter comprehensiveness of wisdom succinctly: “Nothing matters but the kingdom, but because of the kingdom everything matters.” Craig [Bartholomew] often uses the popular chorus: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace,” as an example of the incipient gnosticism in contemporary Christianity. While we understand the positive sentiment in this chorus, we suggest that a wise, more biblical version would be: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on his wonderful face, and the things of earth will receive their true perspective, in the light of his glory and grace.” [pg. 266-267]
Like the great cathedrals created to transport the everyday man out of the everydayness of life and into the presence of God through awe inspiring architecture and imagery, the universe was created for just such benefit. When we gaze upon and ponder creation we look fully into the face of God with awe and wonder. While nature was NEVER meant to replace God, it was designed to make us long to know and to reveal to us its Creator. Creation is the most beautiful love song every written. Unfortunately mankind much of the time misses the point and glorifies the song instead of its writer.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I Jn. 2:15
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. II Tim. 2:4
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rev. 12:11
While David was certainly not a perfect man, he is remembered in scripture as a man after God’s own heart. Could that be because David wrapped EVERYTHING in the knowledge of God and his precepts. Secularization was surely a totally foreign concept for David.
I appreciate your first comment, Nancy. The world is to point us Godward. I’m not disputing that. But I think the verses you share Jeremy, are more about the world system, rather than the created order that God made.
As my former pastor, John Piper, has said, we can drink orange juice to God’s glory. There is a way to glorify God in how we live on this earth, and it is not just thorugh the “sacred” duties, but through simple things such as being glad for the sunshine in September.