New Creation – Part One
Where Are We Going? –
The grand narrative of redemption that we teach our students is not finished yet. We find ourselves in the middle of a complicated story, living in a world that was created perfect but was deeply broken by sin. This world has been redeemed by Christ, but this redemption has not been fully realized.
Our students will step into this broken world.
Loneliness is growing into an epidemic in the western world, and the suicide rate in America is continually rising.
People Are Living Without Hope, Chiefly Because They Are Living Without God
The redemption narrative of Scripture is the cornerstone of what we teach here at Liberty. It is essentially a story about those separated from God being reconciled with Him. As we integrate a vision of this reconciliation into our teaching, we equip our students with a robust vision of hope—a vision that they will need as they step into a world full of despair.
The Power of the Gospel Can Change Lives
Dr. Ed Hindson – Founding Dean, School of Divinity
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’…” Revelation 21:3-5b
For a world that is struggling to find belonging, Liberty graduates can offer a community of love. For a nation struggling with despair, Liberty graduates can point them towards a source of hope for their future. For people who have restless hearts, Liberty graduates can tell them about a God in whom their hearts can rest.
Key Pieces of the Christian Telos (Or Vision of the Future)
Justice is coming. Christ is coming.
Nearly all our students will enter into fields where they will see vast injustice. Teachers will see students who suffer in neglectful homes. Nurses will see profits and efficiency take precedence over human dignity. And public servants will see corruption and selfishness deprive communities of resources and the ability to flourish. But these realities do not need to cripple Liberty graduates. They can work diligently and faithfully knowing that justice is coming.
We have a home. Christ is preparing it.
Loneliness truly is a growing epidemic that is crippling much of the developed world. The communal institutions that once brought people together have faded away, and the technology that has taken their place serves as a poor substitute. The Christian Telos equips Liberty graduates for this reality, however. The Gospel never promises that we belong in this life. The church offers us a family, but our ultimate home is still to come, and our graduates can find hope in that.
Our work has value. Christ gives the whole story value.
Ultimately, much of the darkness and depression in the Western world can be traced back to a growing cultural nihilism. Charles Taylor, in his work A Secular Age, demonstrates how the disenchantment of the modern world has led to a crushing weight on the human psyche. If this world is all we have, people struggle to find any significance in their labors.
However, Liberty graduates can be prepared to wade through this nihilism, offering hope to the world around them. The Christian Telos affirms that any work which brings about goodness, beauty, or truth is valuable. Each discipline and profession can produce these things, and our students can find significance in the reality that Christ will perfect all of our good works when He returns.
Professor and Student: A Journey of Discovery, Growth, and Impact
Dr. Basyle Tchividjian – School of Law
No matter what department we are teaching in, Dr. Tchividjian wants us to be encouraged. As professors, we are training and equipping a whole new generation of “flashes of light.”
Annie – Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Listen as this law student shares how her studies are helping her to make a difference in real-world situations.
For Further Research:
- Article/Lecture
- It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And We Feel Fine) – J. A. Medders
- Books
- Eschatological Discipleship: Leading Christians to Understand Their Historical and Cultural Context – Trevin Wax
- Videos
Other Posts in This Series
New Creation – Part Two
What Can We Do Now? – We find ourselves in a complicated time. The kingdom of God is somewhat present on earth, but it won’t be fully present until Christ returns. Our students will step into the world with an eschatological hope, but what should that hope motivate them to do? Christians are called...
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Conclusion
On Training Champions – As a professor at Liberty University, you have the incredible opportunity to weave biblical truth into the core of everything you teach. We hope that this series has helped you reflect on how the Grand Narrative of Scripture (Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation) can impact and shape the way you teach...
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