Engaging Gods World Chapter Summary

The book I will review is Engaging Gods World: A Christian vision of faith, learning, and living, by Cornelius Plantinga (2002). In this book, Plantinga does not seem to state a specific thesis in the writing piece, but in reading the book it seems like the best statement that would fit a thesis of the book would be the following: “The point of all this learning is to prepare to add one’s own contribution to the supreme reformation project, which is God’s restoration of all things that have been corrupted by evil” (Plantinga, 2002, p. xii). From this thesis, I believe he achieved the purpose of directing the reader to see that God created all things including man, we fell from His paradise, He restores us to Himself in Christ, and now calls us to be part of His restoration project for the world.

Plantinga offers chapters one through four as an orientation for understanding the

world, which includes the Creation, the Fall of Man, and the Redemption of man through Christ’s death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead. God did not give up on His creation when it fell. Because all of creation is God’s creation, His project includes redeeming (or returning) the creation to God purposes! These chapters culminate in the last chapter of a biblical vision for vocation. Our redemption provides the opportunity to live and work as agents (or glad servants) of His kingdom.

One of the strengths Plantinga has in this book is the simple language he used to describe complex concepts, which helps the reader be in awe of God. His language can be a simple-poetic style in parts, as well, stating that the bible has a wide-angled lens (Plantinga, 2002, p. 13) by which believers look through to understand details. The book also doesn’t only tell the story of redemption, but it intertwines this great story of creation, the fall and redemption with the true effect that a Christian worldview should have on a believer’s life through our work!

Some weaknesses I would say I felt from the book is that it seems to be written to students attending a Christian college, and therefore may not feel as meaningful to the outside public. Though his points are good, true and heart-hitting, it appears that his writing style is directed mainly towards undergraduate college students in a Christian setting. This type of writing could be a turn-off to a number of people who otherwise may have been more impacted by the book.

Regarding the Reformed tradition, I lean towards it myself, but Plantinga seems to focus so much on the Reformed tradition to the abandonment of discussing other Christian understandings of vocation and how God may be honored and glorified in those understandings lived out, as well.
There is a statement that Plantinga made that I consider a serious weakness in the book.

He says, “But I fear that for most Christian students, mainstream higher education simply won’t be adequate to help them understand the kingdom of God and their own vocation within it” (Plantinga, 2002, p. 123). Yet Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt. 28: 18-19). Peter says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). This command, to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, references the previous verse of taking care lest we be carried away by error. This assumes we are interacting with those who believe error since it assumes we could be tempted by it. When Christ came to earth He lived with and interacted with prostitutes, tax collectors and ancient terrorists. God calls us to secular interactions and relationships for the gospel to go forward, not to an enclosed Christian

circle.

That said, though, Plantinga’s book, especially the first four chapters, offers a good overview of an evangelical worldview and therefore serves Christians everywhere. The last part of the book is a good encourager to those in secular employment that God provides secular vocation for His purposes and glory. Plantinga seems to encourage young adults to take hold of a passion for the glory of God in all things that all people may praise His name!