| The Issues
The question of meaning deals with freewill, responsibility, values and morals focusing on the present. The question of history deals with the same issues only in the past. What is significant in my past? Have I been free to choose or am I a product of my environment? Does history shape humanity or does humanity shape history? Cyclic and progressive models are built upon assumptions of history and humanity. Is my life a part of a greater cosmic pattern or is it a struggle of matter or ideas? Has our past been characterized by choice or a chemical-physical environment? A Biblical View of History In God's world one's life is viewed as freedom within a plan. Let us focus first on God's plan. While the eternal God exists above time, His work is ongoing in the world. God carries out His eternal purposes as He interacts with humanity in time. God's purposes include mercy, preservation and justice (Job 37:13). This is first seen in the Genesis account after the fall (3:16-21). God's interactions in history involve both permission and control. His permission encompasses human personality (choice) and imperfection. Freewill and responsibility exist within God's plan for history. His control involves ordinary and exceptional means. The result is that God works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). There are several examples in the Bible which illustrate these principles. Infinite and Finite Perspectives of History God has an infinite view of history and we have a finite view (Prov 20:24). God exists above time and people are confined to the present instant. For us, the past is a memory and the future is a prediction. God knows all the details and we know but a few that have been observed. While God's general purposes are known, specifics may not be (Eccl 11:5). In comparison to God's knowledge of history, our view is extremely limited. We can trust God's heart without knowing details of His work (Rom 11:25-36). Conclusion What is significant in our past? In God's world there is a plan in history which is both global and individual. Psalm 139:13-16 states that God ordained our days before we were born and Job 37:13 asserts that our life's events are for preservation, mercy and justice. While specifics of His purpose may be unclear at any one time, His plan exists. |