About Providence, Divine Action and the Church


In this blog, Terry J. Wright posts thoughts and shares research on the Christian doctrine of providence. This doctrine testifies to God’s provision for all things through creation’s high priest, the man Christ Jesus. However, the precise meaning and manner of this provision is a perpetually open question, and this blog is a forum for discussion of the many issues relating to providence and the place of the Church within God’s action.

Friday 11 July 2014

Christ, Creation, and Colossians 1

This is short notice, but the paper outlined below sounds very interesting. It’s scheduled to take place next Tuesday at King’s College London.


Brian Curry will be presenting his paper

Title: Things Hold Together: The Grain of the Universe According to Colossians 1

Abstract:
As Colin Gunton points out, although the New Testament says surprisingly much about Christ and Creation, much ancient and modern theological ontology derives its categories more from interaction with philosophy (Graeco-Roman and otherwise) than from the Bible. Recent NT scholarship has brought the NT’s own categories into better focus again, and none more so than Sean McDonough’s monograph, Christ as Creator. This paper draws on McDonough’s extensive exegetical work to begin to show what difference it makes for theology if we allow the grain of the New Testament to shape our account of the grain of the universe. The result is that our doctrine of creation becomes centered on the person of Jesus the Messiah, rather than on an abstract principle such as ‘wisdom’ or ‘logos.’ Focusing on Colossians 1, we see how messianic categories and scriptural echoes help to clarify ontology. Things hold together, Colossians teaches, because the Creator-Messiah wants them to. Broadly, we are encouraged to consider a Christotelic ontology in which the universe was made (and made new) for covenant relationship between God and creatures.

1 comment:

  1. And God made us to his own image and for his wonderful purpose and to show love over us in Jesus name and the word made us again new creation by the Holy Spirit to to be our new life in holiness and in heavenly realm in Christ,thanks and bless and pray,keijo sweden

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