Bidirectional Living

There is a forward thrust to Scripture. Biblical theologians would call this an “eschatological” (moving toward “last things”) impulse. This is because God is active in history in history, carrying out his redemptive agenda until Jesus returns. Although God’s revelation to his people has ceased, God is still working in his world through his Spirit, his Word, and his church. So no matter where you are in Scripture, you should feel the inexorable pull forward to where history will end up.

At the same time, Scripture always points us backward to what God has done on behalf of his people. The Old Testament most often looks back to the exodus as the signal event of God’s redemption. The New Testament, of course, points to Christ’s death and resurrection as God’s definite redemptive event.

Interestingly, Titus 2:11-14 relates both the future and past elements to life in the present:”For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men [past]. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age [present], while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ [future], who gave himself for us [past]to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good [present].” This bidirectional dynamic–”What has God done already?” and “What does he have planned for the future?”–is modeled throughout Scripture.Thus, we are people who constantly look backward and forward as we live our stories in the present. The Bible shows us that we cannot live as mere “present tense” Christians. Our present moments are framed by God’s past acts of redemption and by the glorious future he has planned ( 1Cor. 2:9-10).

Michael R. Emlet, CrossTalk Where Life & Scripture Meet