Within the Christian metaphysic, humanity has a unique role in the created order as the representatives of the creator God in the created world: we were to rule as His representatives. The biblical language for this is the image of God. Yet in the fall, all humanity is under a curse: each person is sinful to the very core of their being, under the condemnation of God from the beginning, and ever in rebellion against him. Yet, despite this opposition to God, all humans are recipients of common grace—God showing kindness to the righteous and unrighteous alike. When God reaches into His creation to save some of humanity as a people for His possession, a bride for Christ, there is introduced a sharp antithesis among humanity: there are those who are believers—regenerate—and those who are unbelievers—unregenerate. Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, friends of God, followers of Christ; unbelievers are citizens of Satan’s earthly kingdom, enemies of God, and persecutors of Christ and His body. Thus the Christian metaphysic begins with the creator-creature distinction and offers an explanation of history and reality, with God’s glory and man, His created representatives, at the centre. This metaphysic implies, of course, a unique epistemology.
The Christian Worldview (1): Introduction
The Christian Worldview (2): Metaphysics (a)
The Christian Worldview (2): Metaphysics (b)
This article adapted from the first appendix of my paper, To Love God with All One’s Heart Soul and Strength.
