Christian Desisgnarism: Unity in Divery

 1. Faith: Christian Designarism begins with the belief in a personal, intelligent Creator—God—who designed the universe with purpose. This faith is not a blind leap but is supported by the logical coherence and historical reliability of the Christian worldview. Faith fills in where human reason reaches its limits, particularly in areas like morality, meaning, and our understanding of eternity.

 2. Logic: The foundation of Christian Designarism is rooted in the belief that the universe operates under consistent laws of logic and reason, which reflect the orderly mind of God. This contrasts with a naturalistic worldview that struggles to account for the very existence of logic in a universe supposedly born from chaos or randomness. Logic and reason, far from being the enemies of faith, are viewed as reflections of God’s rational nature, supporting concepts such as the fine-tuning of the universe and the ordered complexity of life.

 3. Morality: Christian Designarism posits that objective moral values exist because they stem from God’s nature. The moral order we observe—principles of justice, love, and human dignity—points to a Designer who has embedded these values in creation. This contrasts with moral relativism often associated with naturalism, where morality becomes subjective and culturally dependent, lacking a universal foundation. Christian morality isn’t just ethical guidelines but part of a larger design intended to reflect God’s character and bring about human flourishing.

 4. Science: Science, within the framework of Christian Designarism, is viewed as a means to discover the intricacies of God’s creation. This view allows for an open exploration of both natural and intelligent causes. Unlike Methodological Naturalism, which limits explanations to purely natural causes, Christian Designarism acknowledges that some features of the universe—such as the fine-tuning for life, biological complexity, and the origins of consciousness—points to a purposeful design. Far from stifling science, this approach enhances scientific inquiry by allowing for a broader range of explanations based on evidence.

In this synthesis, Christian Designarism sees no conflict between faith, logic, morality, and science; rather, it proposes that these domains are harmonious when viewed through the lens of design. The universe’s order, human morality, and our capacity for reason all point to a Creator who not only initiated the cosmos but remains actively involved in its purpose.

Reconciling God's Foreknowledge, Predestination, and Election: Sovereign Conceptualization and Actualization

The doctrines of God's foreknowledge, predestination, and election are often seen as difficult to reconcile, both in terms of theology and personal experience. How can God's sovereignty coexist with human free will? Is there a way to explain how God's foreknowledge of future events doesn't negate individual choice? These questions are not new, and Scripture provides a consistent framework for addressing them.

At the core of understanding these doctrines is the distinction between God's conceptualization (His eternal plan and foreknowledge) and actualization (the unfolding of that plan in time). God, being outside of time, foreknows all things as part of His eternal decree, but He brings that plan to pass in history without violating the freedom of human beings. His foreknowledge and predestination are not passive observations but an integral part of His sovereign will.

Foreknowledge: God's Sovereign Knowledge and Relationship

Foreknowledge, in biblical terms, goes beyond mere foresight. It's not God "looking down through time" and passively seeing who will choose Him - He is outside of time. Rather, it reflects God's intimate, predetermined knowledge and relationship with His creation. Romans 8:29 says, "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." This foreknowledge is relational—God, in His omniscience, knows those who will respond to His grace, not because He predicts their actions but because He has sovereignly ordained their participation in His redemptive plan.

Predestination: God's Eternal Plan for His Glory

Predestination refers to God's eternal decree—His conceptualization of the entire plan of salvation, from beginning to end. Ephesians 1:4-5 explains, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will." God's predestination is purposeful. It is not arbitrary, but rather part of His sovereign plan to glorify Christ through the redemption of the elect.

The analogy of a programmer conceiving an application helps clarify this. Just as the programmer knows the outcome of the program because they designed it, God knows the entirety of history because He has authored it. The programmer's design determines the function of the program, and similarly, God's decree sets the course of history, including the decisions made by individuals within it.

Election: The Process of Actualization

Election is the actualization of God's conceptualized plan. Once God has predestined those who will be conformed to the image of Christ, He brings that plan into reality through the work of the Holy Spirit. In time, the elect come to faith, not through their own efforts but by the transforming power of God's grace. This is where the distinction between conceptualization and actualization becomes essential: God's election takes place in His eternal decree, but it is brought to fruition as individuals experience the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus emphasized this in John 6:37: "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." Here we see both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Those whom the Father has given to Christ (election) will come to Him, but this coming to Christ involves a real choice, empowered by the Spirit but still involving human will.

Sovereign Grace and Human Responsibility

God's foreknowledge does not negate human free agency. The key is that God, in His sovereignty, has created a world where human choices are real, yet those choices are fully known and accounted for in His plan. 2 Timothy 1:9 declares that God "saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." This reinforces that our salvation is part of God's eternal purpose, but our response to that grace happens in time.

Election does not mean God forces people into a relationship with Him, nor does it override their free will. Instead, God's election ensures that those whom He has chosen will, through the Holy Spirit, willingly and freely respond to His grace. This is the mystery of actualization: God actualizes His eternal plan through the willing decisions of individuals who, once transformed by the Spirit, desire to follow Christ.

Conceptualization: God's Foreknowledge and Predetermined Plan

When we speak of conceptualization, we refer to the eternal, sovereign plan of God. This plan, conceived before the foundation of the world, includes everything from the existence of evil to the salvation of the elect. It is here that God, in His wisdom, foreknows every person and every decision, not as a passive observer but as the architect of history.

In this eternal plan, God foreknows whose free agency will result in willingness to follow Christ and whose free agency will lead them to reject Him. Romans 9:15-16 illustrates this when God says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." This emphasizes that God's election and mercy are not based on human merit but on His sovereign will.

Actualization: The Holy Spirit's Role in Bringing God's Plan to Pass

Actualization is the moment when God's predetermined plan unfolds in time. The Holy Spirit plays the central role in effectuating election, transforming the hearts of the elect and opening their spiritual eyes. As Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." This transformative work enables individuals to see the truth of the Gospel and willingly align their lives with God's will.

Through the Holy Spirit, those whom God has foreknown are brought into conformity with Christ's image (Romans 8:29). They are "born again" (John 3:3), experiencing the spiritual rebirth that actualizes God's eternal decree. Their free will is not eliminated; instead, it is transformed, so that their desires align with God's purposes.

Christ's Glory: The Ultimate Purpose of Predestination and Election

At the center of God's predestined plan is the glory of Christ. The elect are chosen, not for their own sake, but to bring glory to Christ as they are conformed to His image. Romans 8:17 affirms that we are "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." The ultimate goal of election is not merely the salvation of individuals but the glorification of Christ through a redeemed people.

As the elect are conformed to Christ's image, they reflect His glory and, in doing so, receive glory themselves as "little Christs." This is not a glory they possess by their own merit but a reflection of the glory they receive through union with Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes this process: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." This transformation brings both glory to Christ and joy to His people, as they reflect His nature in the world.

Conclusion: The Harmony of Sovereignty and Human Freedom

While the mystery of who God specifically chooses remains known only to Him, the doctrines of foreknowledge, predestination, and election are clearly outlined in Scripture. We understand the why and how—God's election is rooted in His grace, His justice, and His purpose to glorify Christ. However, we cannot know the specific individuals He has chosen, and it is not our role to judge another's eternal disposition.

This understanding should lead us to humility and good works, not complacency or self-righteousness. We take comfort in God's sovereign election, but that comfort must translate into action—living lives that reflect the glory of Christ. Rather than becoming overly focused on the mystery of who is chosen, we trust in God's wisdom, knowing that His purposes are just, and that His grace is sufficient for all who respond to His call.

The Problem of Evil: A Theological Resolution

The problem of evil has long challenged theologians, philosophers, and believers alike. How can an all-good, all-powerful God allow the existence of evil? Many answers have been proposed, but the Christian faith provides a framework that not only acknowledges the reality of evil but also gives it a purpose within God’s sovereign plan.

At the heart of this issue is the relationship between human freedom, divine justice, and ultimate redemption. The presence of evil serves a necessary role in the world as part of God’s overarching plan for moral freedom, redemption, and the revelation of His justice and mercy. In the end, evil is not simply tolerated; it is overcome, condemned, and encapsulated. The resolution to the problem of evil lies not in its elimination at the outset but in its eventual defeat and in the transformation of those who are willing to accept God’s mercy.

Let’s break it down with the following syllogism:

 Premise 1: God is all-good, and He allows evil because it is necessary for moral freedom and leads to the greater good of justice satisfied and redemption in Christ.

Premise 2: God is all-powerful, so He can bring about moral development through the existence of evil and the greater good of justice satisfied and redemption in Christ.

Conclusion: Therefore, the existence of evil is compatible with an all-good, all-powerful God, as it serves a greater purpose and preserves moral freedom.

Evil as a Temporary but Necessary Variable

Evil isn’t an anomaly in God’s plan; it’s a temporary but necessary variable. It allows for the exercise of moral freedom, where humans can freely choose between good and evil. Without the possibility of choosing evil, moral freedom would be meaningless. In the same way that a programmer conceives of the entire scope of an application before deploying it, God’s knowledge of all outcomes doesn’t rely on “looking down through time” but on His transcendence over it.

The programmer knows the outcome not because they observe the program running but because they designed it with every possibility accounted for. Similarly, God’s foreknowledge of who will accept His mercy is not a reactive observation but part of His sovereign plan. However, that plan could not reach its intended outcome—the redemption of humanity and the display of God’s ultimate justice—without the presence of evil.

In Christian theology, the presence of evil sets the stage for Christ’s redemptive work. It provides the context for the full expression of God’s justice (in judging sin) and His mercy (in offering salvation). As C.S. Lewis once said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” The existence of evil forces humanity to confront its need for something greater than itself—a need for God.

The Final Defeat of Evil

Yet the presence of evil is not permanent. Scripture teaches that evil will ultimately be overcome and condemned. In the final judgment, those who reject God’s mercy will be separated from the source of all good. This separation is not merely physical but spiritual and existential—a conscious, eternal awareness of what has been lost. As John 5:29 states, those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

The eternal punishment is not a simple cessation of existence, but a state of being where those judged are aware of their separation from God. This knowledge becomes the ultimate punishment, as they fully grasp what it means to be cut off from the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty. There will be no death in the sense of annihilation, but a living awareness of the eternal consequences of their rejection of God’s mercy.

Evil itself will be encapsulated, stripped of its power, and confined. It will no longer hold sway over creation. Revelation 20:10 speaks of the defeat of the devil and his forces, who are “thrown into the lake of fire”—a symbolic representation of evil’s eternal containment. Evil will be overcome, condemned, and rendered powerless. It will exist in a state where it can no longer affect the new creation, allowing goodness to reign eternally.

Mercy and Judgment: God’s Sovereign Choice

At the heart of this ultimate solution is God’s sovereign role in judgment and mercy. As a sovereign ruler, God foreknows who will accept His mercy and who will reject it. But this foreknowledge doesn’t negate human freedom. Those who willingly respond to God’s grace are transformed by the Holy Spirit, overcoming their fallen nature and receiving new life as a gift to Christ. This transformation is wholly a work of God, not of human effort, though it respects human willingness.

Those who reject God’s mercy are not forced into separation—they have chosen it. The consequence of that choice is eternal separation from God, but even in this, God’s justice is served. Evil is encapsulated, confined, and stripped of power, while those who have aligned themselves with it are given over to the consequences of their rejection of the good.

Thus, the problem of evil is not an unsolvable dilemma but a temporary stage in the grand narrative of redemption. God’s omnibenevolence, omnipotence, and omnijustice are all upheld in the ultimate defeat of evil and the eternal triumph of good. Evil serves its temporary role in God’s plan but is ultimately overcome, allowing for the final victory of justice, love, and mercy.

Conclusion

The existence of evil, rather than disproving the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God, plays a crucial role in His divine plan. It serves as the backdrop against which God’s justice and mercy are displayed in their fullest. Those who accept His mercy are redeemed, while those who reject it face eternal separation from the source of all good. In the end, evil is overcome, encapsulated, and rendered powerless, allowing the fullness of God’s goodness to reign eternally. The problem of evil finds its ultimate solution in the wisdom, justice, and mercy of God, who works all things according to His good purposes.

If there is any part of you that has a doubt about your position against God, I hope you take this in the spirit it is intended. Repent and be saved.

God’s Three-Order Moral Framework: Voluntary Love, Imposed Justice, and Cultural Accommodation with Jesus Christ as Exemplar

God’s Three-Order Moral Framework: Voluntary Love, Imposed Justice, and Cultural Accommodation with Jesus Christ as Exemplar

Abstract

This article develops a three-order moral framework for understanding God’s morality as revealed in Scripture: (1) voluntary love and communion, (2) imposed justice and separation, and (3) cultural accommodation, with Jesus Christ as the ultimate exemplar of this moral system. Using passages such as John 1:14, John 14:9, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15, and Hebrews 1:3, the article demonstrates how Christ fully embodies these three dimensions, reflecting God’s character and intentions. This framework resolves moral tensions within Scripture by showing how divine love, justice, and patience with cultural norms are consistent and fully revealed in Christ.

Keywords: God’s morality, voluntary love, imposed justice, cultural accommodation, Jesus Christ, divine justice, biblical ethics.

1. Introduction

God’s morality, as depicted in Scripture, unfolds through a complex interaction of love, justice, and accommodation to human culture. The moral questions surrounding divine judgment, justice, and the cultural practices of ancient times often challenge modern readers. However, this article proposes that God’s moral framework can be understood through three distinct orders: voluntary love and communion, imposed justice and separation, and cultural accommodation. Central to this framework is the belief that Jesus Christ, as the full revelation of God’s nature (John 1:14; Colossians 1:15), exemplifies and illuminates how these orders operate in divine morality.

2. First-Order Morality: Voluntary Love and Communion

First-order morality represents God’s ideal moral standard—voluntary love and communion. From the beginning of creation, God invites humanity into a relationship of love and trust, offering the possibility of communion with Him as the ultimate expression of moral goodness.

2.1 Voluntary Love in the Creation Narrative

God’s relationship with humanity is grounded in voluntary love. He does not impose His will but invites His creatures to freely respond to His love and live in communion with Him. In Genesis 1-2, God creates humans in His image (Genesis 1:27) and places them in the Garden of Eden, where they are given the freedom to choose obedience and life or disobedience and separation.

• John 1:14 encapsulates the notion of God’s voluntary love in the incarnation of Christ: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Here, Christ’s coming to dwell among humanity is the ultimate expression of first-order morality—a voluntary, loving engagement with creation aimed at bringing about communion with God.

2.2 Jesus Christ as the Exemplar of Voluntary Love

Jesus Christ perfectly embodies voluntary love and communion, exemplifying the first-order morality that God desires for humanity. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus willingly submits to the Father’s will, even unto death, to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity.

• John 14:9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus reveals the Father’s heart for voluntary love and communion. His actions, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross are demonstrations of God’s desire for people to freely choose relationship with Him.

• Hebrews 1:3 further illustrates this, stating that Jesus “is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” Christ’s life reflects God’s first-order morality, where love, truth, and communion with the Father are freely given, not coerced.

3. Second-Order Morality: Imposed Justice and Separation

When humanity rejects the first-order offer of voluntary love and communion, second-order morality is invoked. This order is marked by imposed justice and separation, where God’s response to human sin and rebellion requires judgment to uphold moral order and maintain the integrity of His holiness.

3.1 The Necessity of Imposed Justice

God’s justice is imposed when humans turn away from His loving invitation and choose sin, which leads to corruption, disorder, and the breakdown of communion. In such cases, justice becomes necessary to restore moral balance and ensure that evil does not go unchecked.

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 reflects the consequences of human rejection of God’s first-order morality: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” When humanity rejects God’s invitation to voluntary communion, their minds become darkened, leading to moral blindness that necessitates divine intervention in the form of judgment.

The Old Testament is filled with examples of God imposing justice when His people reject His covenant. For instance, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) reflects God’s need to impose justice in response to widespread sin and moral decay. Similarly, the exile of Israel (2 Kings 25) was the result of persistent disobedience and idolatry, leading to God’s separation from His people until they repented.

3.2 Separation: Protecting Holiness

Separation is a crucial element of second-order morality. When people persist in rejecting God’s love and continue in sin, God enforces separation to protect His holiness and preserve the moral integrity of His covenant people.

• Colossians 1:15 emphasizes Christ’s role as the one who holds all things together and reveals the fullness of God: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” As the exemplar of second-order morality, Christ not only brings love but also enforces separation when necessary. In His ministry, Jesus often speaks of the coming judgment and the separation between the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46). In this sense, Jesus embodies the moral principle of separation—keeping holiness intact while giving every opportunity for repentance and communion.

• John 5:22 affirms that Christ has been entrusted with judgment: “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” In this capacity, Jesus becomes the agent of second-order morality, ensuring that justice is upheld when love and communion are rejected.

4. Third-Order Morality: Cultural Accommodation

The third and final order of God’s moral framework involves cultural accommodation. God, in His patience, often works within human societal norms, even when they fall short of His ideal, to guide people progressively toward His higher moral standards. This third-order morality reflects God’s willingness to accommodate human weaknesses and cultural limitations while still pushing toward moral growth.

4.1 God’s Accommodation in the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament, God accommodates certain cultural practices, such as slavery, polygamy, and warfare, while gradually leading humanity toward a fuller expression of justice and love.

• Deuteronomy 21:10-14 provides an example of cultural accommodation regarding the treatment of female captives in war. While the practice of taking captives was common in the ancient Near East, God introduces regulations to ensure that captives are treated with dignity and not exploited, showing how He works within cultural norms to elevate moral behavior.

4.2 Jesus Christ as the Fulfillment of Third-Order Morality

In the New Testament, Jesus represents the fulfillment of third-order morality by showing the trajectory from accommodation toward the ultimate moral ideals of God’s kingdom. Jesus frequently interacts with cultural norms, often accommodating human practices while simultaneously revealing a higher moral ethic.

• Matthew 19:8: Jesus acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce “because your hearts were hard,” but He points back to God’s original design for marriage—one man and one woman in lifelong union. Here, Jesus exemplifies third-order morality by both accommodating the cultural reality of His audience while also calling them to a higher moral standard.

• Hebrews 1:3 once again shows Christ as the exact representation of God’s nature. As the embodiment of God’s moral ideals, Jesus demonstrates how divine patience works within flawed human cultures, all while leading them toward God’s ultimate standards of love, justice, and holiness.

5. Conclusion

The three-order framework of voluntary love and communion, imposed justice and separation, and cultural accommodation offers a coherent and comprehensive understanding of God’s morality as revealed in Scripture. This framework resolves apparent moral tensions by showing how God balances His desire for loving relationship with the necessity of justice and His willingness to work within human culture.

• First-order morality invites humanity into voluntary love and communion, as exemplified by Christ in His life, ministry, and sacrifice.

• Second-order morality is activated when humanity rejects this invitation, necessitating imposed justice and separation to preserve holiness.

• Third-order morality involves cultural accommodation, where God patiently works within flawed human systems, leading people toward His higher moral ideals.

Jesus Christ, as the full revelation of God (John 14:9; Colossians 1:15), exemplifies all three orders, perfectly balancing love, justice, and patience. In Him, we see the fullest expression of God’s moral framework and His ultimate desire for the reconciliation of all things.