Glenn Paauw, an expert on biblical narrative, discusses the idea of God entering into our time for restoration. The podcast explores time in the Bible, authentic engagement with God, Jewish development impact on the New Testament, and the intersection of God's time with human time. It emphasizes living as a community of the future in the present age and the concept of restoration in Christianity.
The biblical narrative moves towards God dwelling in our time more deeply, showing restoration through the ongoing story.
The absence of 'perfect' in the creation story signifies continuous development, challenging static perfection concepts.
Redemption in the Bible unfolds gradually over time, emphasizing incremental progress over immediate fixes.
Different types of time in the Bible, like 'Kronos' and 'Kairos,' highlight timing's role in various contexts.
Deep dives
The Bible's Creation Story and the Battle Against Chaos
The Bible's creation story reflects a battle against chaos, where God forms the world in the first three days and fills it with elements in the next three days. It showcases God's triumph over chaos while acknowledging that chaos remains at the boundaries of creation, ready to return if things go wrong. This narrative highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain the order established by God.
The Notion of Imperfect Perfection in Biblical Creation
The ancient world discusses perfection as static, while the Bible describes the world as 'good' before sin enters the picture. This distinction challenges the Greek concept of perfection and emphasizes that the world was designed for ongoing development and improvement. The absence of the term 'perfect' in the creation story signifies that there is always scope for growth and enhancement in God's intended world.
Understanding Redemptive Movement and Historical Progress
The Bible portrays redemptive movement as a gradual process, where not everything is instantly fixed. It reflects real-life scenarios where change takes time and involves incremental progress. The concept challenges the idea of immediate solutions and emphasizes that transformation occurs progressively over time rather than in one single moment.
The Different Kinds of Time Represented in the Bible
The Bible delves into various types of time, including 'Kronos' and 'Kairos,' highlighting the significance of timing in both positive and challenging contexts. It underscores that time can indicate the right moment for various actions, including judgment or discipline. The distinction between different temporal references enriches the understanding of the Bible's narrative depth.
Prophetic Hope and Awaited Fulfillment
Prophets in the Bible articulate hope for the future, promising a time when God's plans will come to fruition. The prophecies showcase a forward-looking perspective and highlight the anticipation of a time when divine promises will be fully realized. The element of prophetic hope underscores the ongoing expectation and belief in God's redemptive actions.
Living in the 'Already, Not Yet' of the Biblical Age Concept
The 'already, not yet' theological concept suggests that individuals presently experience aspects of the future reality while still residing in the current flawed age. It reflects the tension between the promised new age and the existing world filled with imperfections. This notion calls for embracing the future ideal within the constraints of the present reality.
Anticipating the Eternal Sabbath and Ultimate Restoration
The biblical narrative points towards an eternal Sabbath beyond the standard seven days, symbolizing a complete and everlasting rest in God's presence. It signifies the ultimate fulfillment and restoration of all things, hinting at a future where past losses will be compensated with abundant blessings. This eternal Sabbath represents the culmination of God's redemptive work throughout time.
Embracing the Future Promise and Divine Time in the New Creation
The anticipation of the full realization of the new time in God's creation emphasizes the restoration and healing that will characterize the future state. The Bible's commitment to compensating for past suffering with abundant blessings underscores a vision of renewal and rejuvenation. The expectation of a new and improved time reflects God's promise of a transformed existence for believers.
The Bible is filled with time because God’s revelation is always historical—a story of moments both old and new. God reveals who He is and what He’s doing within our ongoing story, our ongoing time. In this episode, Glenn Paauw shows us how the movement of the biblical narrative is always toward God entering into our time more and more deeply. It is a story of restoration, in which only through time is time conquered.
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