Creation: The heavens and the earth—all physical reality—were created ex nihilo, which means out of nothing. Humanity is made uniquely in God’s image to serve as his ruling agents. The original Creation order was the normal state, which defined and included guidance on human interdependence, fellowship with the Creator, marriage, family, reproduction, gender identity, education, economics, law, and social norms (definitions of right and wrong), all uniquely defined by the Creator.
The Fall: This refers to the first sin committed by the first people (Adam and Eve), which produced the abnormal condition—a physical universe tainted by rebellion against the Creator. Adam and Eve served as proxies for humanity when they contested God’s sovereign rule of his universe. The divine response to sin was death—spiritual, physical, and eternal. At the fall, spiritual death was immediate, but physical death and eternal death were postponed at God’s sovereign pleasure and to serve his purpose. Adam and Eve reproduced after their kind, that is, children who were born under the curse of sin and death. But God, who is rich in mercy, began a metanarrative of redemption.
Metanarrative: The metanarrative of redemption is God’s sovereign plan to restore his uncontested rule over creation. Judgment for sin will be fully executed and a chosen people will be redeemed according to his plan and purpose. This will be revealed through the old and new covenants. The old covenant reveals the total depravity and impotency of humanity to remedy its fallen condition. The new covenant reveals the divine gift of salvation by grace that will be accomplished through the work of Jesus. In the fullness of time, the metanarrative will be completed. The end will be judgment. Sin and death will be eliminated. The uncontested rule of God over creation will be restored.
Recreation: After the final judgment, the normal state will be restored, that is, God’s uncontested rule. Also, through the metanarrative, God has prepared a chosen people for himself to be part of the new creation. They will be with Jesus physically on the new earth.
