The Story of Reality Study Guide

1. Christianity is a comprehensive worldview, not just a belief system

Christianity is a picture of reality.

A complete view of reality. Christianity is not merely a set of religious beliefs or moral guidelines, but a comprehensive explanation of how the world actually is. It addresses the fundamental questions of existence: how the world began, why things went wrong, how to fix the problem, and what the future holds. This worldview consists of five key elements: God, man, Jesus, cross, and resurrection.

Evidence-based perspective. Unlike competing worldviews like materialism or Eastern monism, Christianity provides a coherent explanation for both the physical and spiritual aspects of reality. It accounts for the existence of objective morality and the problem of evil, which other worldviews struggle to explain adequately. The Christian worldview claims to be true in the deepest sense, inviting scrutiny and evaluation based on its explanatory power and consistency with observable reality.

Key aspects of the Christian worldview:

• Creation: The origin of all things
• Fall: The source of the world's problems
• Redemption: The solution to human brokenness
• Restoration: The ultimate renewal of all things

2. The Christian story begins with God as the sovereign creator

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The foundation of reality. The Christian narrative starts with God as the uncreated creator, the source of all existence. This establishes a fundamental distinction between God and creation, avoiding both the pitfalls of atheistic materialism and pantheistic monism. God is presented as a personal being with intentions and purposes, not an impersonal force or abstract concept.

Divine ownership and authority. As the creator, God has rightful authority over all creation, including humanity. This forms the basis for understanding human purpose, morality, and accountability. The theme of God's kingdom – his sovereign rule over all things – runs throughout the biblical narrative and shapes the Christian understanding of reality and human responsibility.

Key attributes of God in the Christian worldview:

• Eternal and self-existent
• All-powerful and all-knowing
• Personal and relational
• Both transcendent (beyond creation) and immanent (present within creation)

3. Humans are uniquely valuable yet deeply flawed

Every human being is made in the image of God, every human being is beautiful in a deep, profound sense.

Inherent dignity and worth. Christianity teaches that all humans possess intrinsic value as bearers of God's image. This provides the foundation for human rights, moral obligations, and the possibility of a unique relationship with God. Unlike other creatures, humans have rational souls and the capacity for moral choice.

The human predicament. Despite their inherent dignity, humans are also portrayed as fallen and broken due to their rebellion against God. This explains the mixture of nobility and depravity observed in human nature and behavior. The Christian story attributes the brokenness of the world to human sin, setting the stage for the need for divine intervention and redemption.

Consequences of human rebellion:

• Spiritual death (separation from God)
• Moral corruption
• Physical death and suffering
• Cosmic effects (creation "groaning")

4. Jesus is both fully God and fully human

Jesus is the God/man.

The incarnation. At the heart of Christianity is the claim that God himself entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ. This unique union of divine and human natures in one person is essential to Christianity's solution to the human predicament. As fully God, Jesus has the power to save; as fully human, he can represent humanity and take our place.

The purpose of Christ's coming. Jesus' primary mission was not to be a moral teacher or social reformer, but to "seek and save the lost." He came to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin and restore the broken relationship between God and humans. This rescue mission culminated in his sacrificial death on the cross and his resurrection.

Key aspects of Jesus' identity and mission:

• Pre-existent and eternal (John 1:1-3)
• Born of a virgin
• Lived a sinless life
• Performed miracles as signs of his identity
• Died as a substitute for sinners
• Rose bodily from the dead

5. The cross represents the ultimate divine transaction

Jesus takes our guilt. We take his goodness.

Substitutionary atonement. The crucifixion of Jesus is presented as more than just a tragic execution; it was a cosmic event where God dealt with human sin once and for all. On the cross, Jesus bore the punishment that all of humanity deserved, satisfying divine justice and making forgiveness possible. This "great exchange" is at the heart of the Christian understanding of salvation.

Propitiation and reconciliation. Through Christ's sacrifice, God's righteous anger against sin is satisfied (propitiation), and the way is opened for humans to be reconciled to God. The cross demonstrates both the severity of sin and the depth of God's love, solving the tension between divine justice and mercy.

Elements of the atonement:

• Substitution: Christ died in our place
• Satisfaction: God's justice is fulfilled
• Reconciliation: Restored relationship with God
• Redemption: Freedom from slavery to sin

6. Faith in Christ is rational trust, not blind belief

Clearly, the story is not appealing to "nonrational belief" or "belief without evidence" or "surrender of the mind and reason" or "pretending to know things you don't know."

Evidence-based faith. Contrary to popular misconceptions, biblical faith is not a blind leap or irrational belief. It is a reasoned trust based on evidence and experience. The New Testament writers appeal to eyewitness testimony, fulfilled prophecies, and miraculous signs as the basis for belief in Christ. Christianity invites investigation and stands up to scrutiny.

Active trust. Saving faith involves more than intellectual assent to certain facts. It requires personal trust in and commitment to Christ. This faith is compared to getting on an airplane – one must both believe the plane can fly (intellectual component) and actually board the plane (volitional component). True faith results in a transformed life.

Elements of biblical faith:

• Knowledge: Understanding the claims of the gospel
• Assent: Accepting these claims as true
• Trust: Personally relying on Christ for salvation
• Obedience: Living in light of this trust

7. The resurrection offers eternal consequences for all

Everyone will live forever.

Universal resurrection. Christianity teaches that at the end of history, all people will be physically resurrected – some to eternal life with God, others to eternal separation from him. This final judgment is based on one's response to God's offer of salvation in Christ. The resurrection underscores the Christian view that physical existence matters and that God's redemptive plan includes the renewal of the entire creation.

Eternal destinies. Those who have trusted in Christ will experience perfect communion with God and a renewed creation, free from sin, suffering, and death. Those who have rejected God's offer will face eternal separation from him, experiencing the full consequences of their choice to live apart from their Creator. This final state gives ultimate significance to human choices and actions in this life.

Aspects of the Christian hope:

• Bodily resurrection
• New heavens and new earth
• Perfect justice and closure
• Eternal joy and fulfillment in God's presence

Last updated: July 21, 2024