Plowing in Hope: Toward a Biblical Theology of Culture
Overview
Culture is a continuing, forward process—the gradual unveiling of truth as life. But often we get ensnarled. We can only imagine culture as a war, a gritty ideological and religious struggle where every arena is bloody with strife: art, philosophy, cuisine, music, literature, science. But at its foundation, culture is about building, not conflict. The time has come for us to beat our swords into plowshares. By realizing the Bible’s vision for a cultivated earth, we can build a more comprehensive, radical, holistic culture, resistant to compromise and dedicated to a Trinitarian aesthetic. What does this culture look like? It is the development of the earth into a global fabric of gardens and cities in harmony with nature—a glorious garden-city. Plowing in Hope provides a positive, clear, and colorful introduction to this transformational topic.
Top Highlights
“First, man’s ‘cultural mandate’—the call to rule, fill, and transform the earth—was established before the Fall and exists independently of man’s need for redemption.” (Page 21)
“Another Greek term that is similar in many ways to our English word culture is paideia.” (Page 16)
“We call these durable effects of human habitation ‘culture.’ Culture is the output of all human societies, the product of deliberate human activity.” (Page 12)
“man the image bearer is somehow involved in the shaping of the history that God ultimately controls” (Page 30)
“‘the beliefs, behavior, language, and entire way of life of a particular time or group of people” (Page 13)
Many Christians are beginning to recognize that in the absence of a godly culture our civilization will continue its free fall, no matter how political they get. But when modern believers address culture, it appears they do little more than criticize Hollywood while doing “Christian” MTV. David Hegeman’s approach is refreshingly different. He maps out a positive theology of culture building rooted in Creation and extending into the New Jerusalem. His wonderful little book, based on sound Biblical exegesis, presents a compelling case for why and how we should build a culture that magnifies God and ennobles men.
—David Ayers, Grove City College, Pennsylvania
Romantic naturalists and pragmatic city dwellers alike must grapple with God’s call to create culture. Plowing in Hope provides biblical purpose as many of us grapple with out paradoxical desires to be both farmer and technologist. Hegeman’s artistic language, engaging examples, and thoughtful reasoning make for fruitful reading; he offers joyful expectancy to all faithful and hard-working servants of the Lord.
—Brian Ray, Ph.D., President, National Home Educational Institute, Salem, Oregon
- Title: Plowing in Hope: Toward a Biblical Theology of Culture
- Author: David Hegeman
- Publisher: Canon Press
- Publication Date: 2007
- Pages: 128