Bavinck argues that the renewal of a physical world is necessitated by the doctrine of redemption. “God’s honor consists precisely in the fact that he redeems and renews the same humanity, the same world, the same heaven, and the same earth that have been corrupted and polluted by sin” (717). To put it another way, “The scope of redemption is as great as that of the fall; it embraces creation as a whole” (Wolters, 72).
The resurrection of the body also points toward a recreated earth. Christ returns to earth in a physical resurrected body and at that time brings about the physical resurrection of humans. Consistent with the resurrection of the body is the renewal of the physical world (Bavinck, 718; Ladd, 682; cf. Rom. 8:18-25).
Bibliography
Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics: Volume 4: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation. Edited by John Bolt. Translated by John Vriend. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament. Revised ed. Edited by Donald A. Hagner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Wolters, Albert M. Creation Regained. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.