Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture
Overview
The gospel of Jesus Christ is always situated within a particular cultural context. But how should Christians approach the complex relationship between our faith and our surrounding culture?
Should we simply retreat from culture? Should we embrace our cultural practices and mindset? How important is it for us to be engaged in our culture? And how might we do that with discernment and faithfulness?
William Edgar offers a rich biblical theology in light of our contemporary culture that contends that Christians should—indeed, must—be engaged in the surrounding culture.
By exploring what Scripture has to say about the role of culture and by gleaning insights from a variety of theologians of culture—including Abraham Kuyper, T. S. Eliot, H. Richard Niebuhr, and C. S. Lewis—Edgar contends that cultural engagement is a fundamental aspect of human existence. He does not shy away from those passages that emphasize the distinction between Christians and the world. Yet he finds, shining through the biblical witness, evidence that supports a robust defense of the cultural mandate to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).
With clarity and wisdom, Edgar argues that we are most faithful to our calling as God’s creatures when we participate in creating culture.
Key Features
- Offers a biblical defense of the cultural mandate
- Encourages Christians to participate in creating culture
- Surveys the contributions of other cultural studies and philosophers
Contents
Part One: Parameters of Culture
- Cultural Analysis
- Biblical and Theological Reflections
Part Two: Challenges from Scripture
- Facing the Contra Mundum Texts
- Read It Again–Life in This World
- This World, No Friend?
- The End of the Beginning
- Creation and Redemption
Part Three: The Cultural Mandate
- The First Vocation
- Culture After the Fall
- The Cultural Reflex
- Culture in the New Covenant
- Culture in the Afterlife
Top Highlights
“He suggested theology move from a more ‘bounded set’ to a more ‘centered set.’ The difference is that a bounded set defines the community on the basis of doctrinal statements or certain ecclesiastical rules, whereas the centered set is based more on certain core values and the experience of community.” (Page 79)
“‘Culture, or civilization, taken in its broad, ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” (Page 25)
“Culture characterizes our calling here on earth. It distinguishes our common humanity, but also our differences. Culture can be positive, leading to human flourishing, or negative, bringing corruption and abuse. Components of culture are numerous and varied, making generalizations difficult. And although value judgments should be made cautiously, they are surely appropriate.” (Page 10)
“A fruitful way to approach the question, largely unexplored, it seems to me, is to conduct a biblical-theological study of the relation between the Lord’s call to subdue the earth in Genesis 1:26–30, and his commission to make disciples of the nations (Mt 28:18–20).” (Page 161)
“Third, culture is broken down into anthropological entities that convey meaning” (Page 24)
Praise for the Print Edition
Anything from the pen of Bill Edgar is profitable to read, but this subject is in Bill’s wheelhouse. An important book on a topic that, for Western Christians, has never been so crucial.
—Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City
Bill Edgar’s Created and Creating is the most thorough and the most solidly biblical contribution to the current discussion of Christ and culture. Edgar's analysis of the historical discussion is wonderfully erudite and nuanced. His treatment of biblical texts and principles is deep and cogent. His conclusion is that God's cultural mandate to Adam is still in effect and that the Great Commission of Jesus applies that mandate to a world lost in sin. I hope and pray that many will read this book and take its message to heart.
—John Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary
I have been waiting for this book since I first met Dr. Edgar. I can count on one hand the people who are qualified to write such a work, and Bill Edgar is at the top of the list. He is a Christian theologian who is also an expert in cultural studies. This should be the first volume one reads when questions of Christianity and culture are broached.
—K. Scott Oliphint, professor of apologetics and systematic theology, Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia
Product Details
- Title: Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture
- Author: William Edgar
- Publisher: IVP
- Publication Date: 2016
- Pages: 262
- Resource Type: Biblical Theology
- Topic: Christianity and Culture