Nature
Theses A and B below represent the complementary pair, Sovereignty
and Creation, as they apply to the Christian concept of nature. The
upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without
contradiction. The lower theses, -B and -A, represent exaggerations
of A and B respectively that are commonly stated. Click the 'more'
links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three
complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dilogic diagram. Also
see 3-D Overview.
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![[L arrow]](L_ARROW.GIF)
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Sovereignty and Creation
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![[R arrow]](R_ARROW.GIF)
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A: God's Sovereignty means God's rule over all
creation. The Creator and creatures are absolutely distinct.
God is the only absolute, ultimate basis for nature's
existence.
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B: God created a real universe 'outside of
himself'. Nature has real existence in itself; it is
significant to God. Second causes in nature are
real.
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-B: Nature is merely an extension of the essence
of God. God is identified with the processes of the world:
pantheism or panpsychism.
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-A: Nature is the only reality; God does not
exist. Nature is all there ever was, or is, or will be:
naturalism, atheism.
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Nature
Theses B and C below represent the complementary pair, Creation
and Providence, as they apply to the Christian concept of nature. The
upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without
contradiction. The lower theses, -C and -B, represent exaggerations
of B and C respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more'
links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three
complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dilogic diagram. Also
see 3-D Overview.
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Creation and Providence
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B: God, who is a non-physical Spirit, who
transcends space and time, created a finite universe of
space, time, and matter.
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C: Having been created by God, the creation
continues to be sustained moment-by-moment by God's gracious
providence.
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-C:Real change in nature is an illusion, since
God cannot change. All creation is one fixed, unchangeable
Being. (Determinism; Parmenides).
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-B: Becoming alone is real. Nature is a
continuous flux of change; nothing is permanent. Fixed forms
or beings are an illusion. (Process Theology;
Heraclitus)
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Nature
Theses C and A below represent the complementary pair, Providence
and Sovereignty, as they apply to the Christian concept of nature.
The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed
without contradiction. The lower theses, -A and -C, represent
exaggerations of C and A respectively that are commonly heard. Click
the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one
of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dilogic diagram. Also
see 3-D Overview.
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Providence and Sovereignty
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C: Natural history is real. God's activity in
nature is usually through second causes, but God always
relates to a real creation. Becoming is real.
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A: God's sovereignty means God's immanence in the
creation. God is not surprised at anything that happens in
nature.
more
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-A:God is not almighty; something in nature can
overrule God. Or things can happen by accident or blind
chance.
more
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-C: Everything that happens was programmed by
God. Nature is merely a mechanism totally controlled by God.
Nothing is contingent. Determinism.
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