In his grace to all humanity God has blessed his creatures with creativity and wisdom. We are his creatures and all of us have within us the kernel of the image of God. The world of art is an important indicator that God has blessed some with talents and insight in to using materials and images to contribute in a very positive way to the rest of the world. Creative talent is given to believers and non-believers alike. God is creative, he is the ultimate creator and that kernel of his image that resides in every man and woman is what gives to humanity their desire to imitate God in his creative endeavors. Just as the creation of the world expresses God’s character and nature so to is human creativity self-expressive and reflexive of the image of God which is part of God’s common grace. The same is true for much of human wisdom (Proverbs 8:1-4). It is no coincidence that throughout history much of human wisdom and philosophy has been geared towards the explanation of God and the human search for God. The image of the True God cries out in human hearts such that we are constantly seeking him through wisdom and philosophy. The evidence of Genesis 1:27 is seen not only in the arts and philosophy but in our everyday lives as well. We love our children and we naturally want to provide and care for them so that they might have a good future and a happy present (Luke 6:32-33; 11:11-13). I know that my parents sacrificed greatly for my sister and me when we were growing up so that we could get a good education and be prepared for our lives. In times of war stories of soldiers heroically giving up their lives are almost commonplace, although their sacrifices for one another are not commonplace in the least. This is another example of how God’s common grace is alive in the hearts of humanity, and by giving their lives for their comrades they contribute greatly not only to the causes for which they are fighting but also in the lives of the ones for whom they have sacrificed (Rom. 5:7). Despite the effect of the Fall, humanity nevertheless has and does contribute positively to the world in which we live. The kernel of the image of God is still at work and is evidence of the common grace of God’s hand at work in the hearts and minds of all people everywhere.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Cause/Effect: Because of God’s common grace, all of humanity contributes positively to the world.
In his grace to all humanity God has blessed his creatures with creativity and wisdom. We are his creatures and all of us have within us the kernel of the image of God. The world of art is an important indicator that God has blessed some with talents and insight in to using materials and images to contribute in a very positive way to the rest of the world. Creative talent is given to believers and non-believers alike. God is creative, he is the ultimate creator and that kernel of his image that resides in every man and woman is what gives to humanity their desire to imitate God in his creative endeavors. Just as the creation of the world expresses God’s character and nature so to is human creativity self-expressive and reflexive of the image of God which is part of God’s common grace. The same is true for much of human wisdom (Proverbs 8:1-4). It is no coincidence that throughout history much of human wisdom and philosophy has been geared towards the explanation of God and the human search for God. The image of the True God cries out in human hearts such that we are constantly seeking him through wisdom and philosophy. The evidence of Genesis 1:27 is seen not only in the arts and philosophy but in our everyday lives as well. We love our children and we naturally want to provide and care for them so that they might have a good future and a happy present (Luke 6:32-33; 11:11-13). I know that my parents sacrificed greatly for my sister and me when we were growing up so that we could get a good education and be prepared for our lives. In times of war stories of soldiers heroically giving up their lives are almost commonplace, although their sacrifices for one another are not commonplace in the least. This is another example of how God’s common grace is alive in the hearts of humanity, and by giving their lives for their comrades they contribute greatly not only to the causes for which they are fighting but also in the lives of the ones for whom they have sacrificed (Rom. 5:7). Despite the effect of the Fall, humanity nevertheless has and does contribute positively to the world in which we live. The kernel of the image of God is still at work and is evidence of the common grace of God’s hand at work in the hearts and minds of all people everywhere.
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