Apologetics –
In his book Creation Regained, Al Wolters introduces the concept of structure and direction. This conceptualization helps us to think about things in terms of what they were meant to be by the creator (the “structure”), and how it has been distorted by our rebellion against him (the “direction”). One can employ this to think about something as simple as a tree or as complex... as economics or the arts. Briefly, how is a tree distorted from its intended creational use? Perhaps the most obvious way is by those who worship nature instead of the True and Living God, but it is also in the abuse of forests for mere profit (for example). We were given care over the creation and while it is there for us to use, the way in which we use it matters. Trees have key functions in our environment, like that of producing oxygen and of preventing erosion with their roots. Likewise, the concept of money and economics is a gift from God and is good, but it has been distorted by our rebellion. No longer is money a servant, but to many it is their master. It reveals hearts of greed, which then place security, power, or pleasure over the wellbeing of others. It is not money that is the root of all sorts of evil, but the love of money. Finally, we can appreciate the goodness of the arts, their ability to stir the soul and to challenge by showing reality, yet because we are fallen, we can use the arts to merely shock, titillate, to push our own agenda, to glorify evil, to entice people into buying things that won’t provide happiness, and to degrade others. Yet the structure-direction concept allows us to look at things not merely in a black and white manner, but to recognize the creational good in something, while seeking to correct the fallen direction that has distorted it.
Reformation History -
In 1541, Calvin presents proposal for church reform in Geneva, but does not get all he wants. He asks for weekly communions, but gets quarterly ones. For Calvin, this is less about sacramentalism and more about church discipline. He wants ordination by the laying on of hands, but is turned down. He also wants prospective pastors to be examined exclusively by other pastors and only upon approval to then by brought to the council for their approval. Instead the council insisted that it be included in this first step as well. At this time in history because there was not separation between the church and state, there are some things they did that seem to our society unpalatable. Adultery, for example, is not merely an ecclesiastical matter, but it is a civil crime. To be excommunicated was to be placed for all intents and purposes, outside public life. This is also why non-conformists, such as the Anabaptists, were not seen merely as those with differing opinions, but as subversive radicals. Thus, the Consistory (having 4-12 pastors and 12 counselors or elders) met once a week and held the power of excommunication. People were summoned and despite rumors that they always went for the harshest sentence, they operated with great pastoral sensitivity – but they did make bad missteps. There was also a feeling that this was a French institution intruding upon their society.
In his book Creation Regained, Al Wolters introduces the concept of structure and direction. This conceptualization helps us to think about things in terms of what they were meant to be by the creator (the “structure”), and how it has been distorted by our rebellion against him (the “direction”). One can employ this to think about something as simple as a tree or as complex... as economics or the arts. Briefly, how is a tree distorted from its intended creational use? Perhaps the most obvious way is by those who worship nature instead of the True and Living God, but it is also in the abuse of forests for mere profit (for example). We were given care over the creation and while it is there for us to use, the way in which we use it matters. Trees have key functions in our environment, like that of producing oxygen and of preventing erosion with their roots. Likewise, the concept of money and economics is a gift from God and is good, but it has been distorted by our rebellion. No longer is money a servant, but to many it is their master. It reveals hearts of greed, which then place security, power, or pleasure over the wellbeing of others. It is not money that is the root of all sorts of evil, but the love of money. Finally, we can appreciate the goodness of the arts, their ability to stir the soul and to challenge by showing reality, yet because we are fallen, we can use the arts to merely shock, titillate, to push our own agenda, to glorify evil, to entice people into buying things that won’t provide happiness, and to degrade others. Yet the structure-direction concept allows us to look at things not merely in a black and white manner, but to recognize the creational good in something, while seeking to correct the fallen direction that has distorted it.
Reformation History -
In 1541, Calvin presents proposal for church reform in Geneva, but does not get all he wants. He asks for weekly communions, but gets quarterly ones. For Calvin, this is less about sacramentalism and more about church discipline. He wants ordination by the laying on of hands, but is turned down. He also wants prospective pastors to be examined exclusively by other pastors and only upon approval to then by brought to the council for their approval. Instead the council insisted that it be included in this first step as well. At this time in history because there was not separation between the church and state, there are some things they did that seem to our society unpalatable. Adultery, for example, is not merely an ecclesiastical matter, but it is a civil crime. To be excommunicated was to be placed for all intents and purposes, outside public life. This is also why non-conformists, such as the Anabaptists, were not seen merely as those with differing opinions, but as subversive radicals. Thus, the Consistory (having 4-12 pastors and 12 counselors or elders) met once a week and held the power of excommunication. People were summoned and despite rumors that they always went for the harshest sentence, they operated with great pastoral sensitivity – but they did make bad missteps. There was also a feeling that this was a French institution intruding upon their society.
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