A grace view of the world is possible. But what does it look like?
A grace view is rooted in the character and action of God. Can we and do we trust that God has a good heart and a good heart toward us? Jesus talks about God as a father who desires to bless his children (see Matthew 7:7-12) and James talks about God as a giver of good things (see James 1:16-18). Every good things traces back to the God who is good!
God is good and created all good things. Why would a god create a universe? Why make stuff? Why make creatures? What kind of crazy god is this who would value beauty and joy and connection? Christianity understands creation to be the work of God. As the work of a good God, creation was itself good as a reflection of God’s goodness. Genesis 1 is almost comical in how explicit it is: God very clearly views his own creation as good, repeating six times that what he has made is good and saying a seventh time after he is done that everything he has made is very good.
God’s good creation is not the only feature of what a grace frame of the world looks like. Genesis 1 also features a charge or calling to humanity. He creates humanity unique from all other created things “in his own image” and charges them to continue what he started. God calls people to be the caretakers, governors, and fulfillers of what he has made (see Genesis 1:26-30).
All of this is grace, gift, God’s work, beauty, diversity, provision, curiosity, and joy.
Reflection Questions
- Have you ever heard a completely positive and grace-based version of how our world and how we came to be here?
- What is the significance of a grace perspective of God and creation?
- How do you see this grace perspective in line with or at odds with what you are hearing in your world? From your friends and family? At your church?