25-0903wc Transcript

Teacher: Scott Reynolds

(0:04) Okay, we’re in the engagement project, (0:09) tour two, The Fall, the River of Death. (0:14) In part one of tour two, Fall, the River of Death (0:18) from Del Tackett’s engagement project, (0:21) the focus is on the biblical epoch of the fall, (0:25) exploring its profound consequences on creation (0:28) and humanity’s relationship with God. (0:32) This session delves into the theological (0:35) and worldview implications of the fall, (0:38) emphasizing the cosmic battle between truth and deception (0:43) and the real war of life and death, (0:47) as orchestrated by Satan’s counter-narrative (0:50) to God’s design, the fall and its consequences.

(0:56) The session begins by examining (0:58) the second epoch of God’s metanarrative, (1:00) the fall, as described in Genesis three. (1:05) This pivotal event marks the moment (1:08) when sin entered the world through Adam (1:10) and Eve’s disobedience, tipping creation (1:13) from life to death and decay. (1:17) Drawing from Romans eight, verses 20 through 23, (1:22) Tackett highlights how creation itself (1:25) is subjected to crustacean and groans (1:28) under the weight of this curse, (1:30) longing for redemption.

(1:32) Even unbelievers sense that something isn’t right, (1:36) reflecting the universal awareness of a broken world. (1:41) The fall’s gravity pulls everything (1:44) in the opposite direction of God’s original intent, (1:48) toward decay rather than flourishing. (1:51) As Tackett notes, we don’t catch health, (1:55) illustrating how the natural trajectory (1:57) post-fall is toward deterioration.

(2:02) The cosmic battle, truth versus lies. (2:05) A central theme in the cosmic battle (2:07) between God’s truth and Satan’s lies, (2:10) rooted in Romans one, where Paul describes (2:14) humanity’s rejection of God’s truth (2:16) in the exchange of truth for lies, Romans 125. (2:22) Tackett frames this as a war between life and death (2:25) with Satan, the father of lies, John 8, 44, (2:30) introducing a counter-narrative that opposes (2:33) God’s meta-narrative of creation, fruitfulness, and glory.

(2:38) Satan’s lies, first seen in Genesis 3, 4, (2:42) you will not surely die, deceive humanity (2:46) into rebelling against God’s order, (2:49) leading to spiritual and physical death. (2:52) Satan’s schemes, destroying relationships. (2:57) Tackett emphasizes that Satan’s ultimate strategy (3:00) is to destroy relationships, as they are central (3:04) to God’s design for fruitfulness and glorifying him.

(3:08) An isolated life, devoid of meaningful connections, (3:12) becomes fruitless, likened to a pretty green fig tree (3:16) that bears no fruit. (3:18) This imagery underscores how Satan’s deception (3:22) isolates individuals, preventing them (3:26) from fulfilling their God-given purpose (3:28) within the community of believers in creation. (3:35) Downstream life versus downstream death.

(3:39) The session introduces the metaphor (3:41) of downstream life and downstream death (3:44) to contrast God’s life-giving narrative (3:47) with Satan’s destructive one. (3:50) Downstream life aligns with God’s meta-narrative, (3:54) fostering flourishing, unity, and fruitfulness. (3:58) In contrast, downstream death follows Satan’s lies, (4:02) leading to isolation, decay, and spiritual barrenness.

(4:07) Tackett illustrates how false worldviews (4:09) propagated by Satan attack God’s truth, (4:13) causing individuals to lose sight (4:15) of the grand meta-narrative and retreat (4:17) into their own self-centered stories or scripts. (4:23) The loss of the meta-narrative. (4:26) When individuals embrace false worldviews, (4:29) they disconnect from God’s overarching story (4:32) of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

(4:37) This disconnection shrinks their perspective, (4:40) leading to self-focused life that lacks purpose (4:43) and fails to glorify God. (4:46) Tackett stresses that reclaiming (4:48) the biblical meta-narrative is essential (4:51) for believers to live out their calling (4:53) as part of God’s kingdom work, (4:56) entrusted to common everyday Christians. (5:00) Biblical and theological insights.

(5:04) Romans 1. (5:05) Tackett uses this chapter to show how (5:08) humanity’s suppression of truth leads (5:11) to idolatry and moral decay, (5:14) reinforcing the cosmic battle between (5:17) God’s truth and Satan’s lies. (5:20) Romans 8, verses 20 through 23. (5:24) These verses underscore the universal impact (5:27) of the fall, where creation and humanity (5:30) groan under the curse awaiting redemption.

(5:33) This groaning reflects the tension (5:35) between the current state of decay (5:37) and the hope of restoration. (5:40) Genesis 3, the serpent’s deception (5:43) in the Garden of Eden sets the stage (5:45) for the cosmic battle, introducing (5:48) the first lie that contradicts God’s truth. (5:52) And John 8, 44.

(5:55) Satan’s identity as the father of lies (5:58) is central to understanding his role (6:01) in promoting a counter-narrative (6:03) that opposes God’s life-giving plan. (6:07) Practical implications. (6:10) Tackett’s teaching in this session (6:12) is designed to move believers toward action, (6:15) encouraging them to recognize Satan’s schemes (6:18) and align their lives with God’s meta-narrative.

(6:22) By understanding the fall’s impact (6:24) and the ongoing battle between truth and lies, (6:28) Christians are called to reject isolation, (6:31) foster godly relationships, (6:33) and engage in God’s redemptive work. (6:36) The engagement project aims to transform (6:39) believers by deepening their understanding (6:42) of God’s nature and their role in his kingdom (6:45) as emphasized in the series' broader vision. (6:50) Conclusion.

(6:52) Part one of tour two, Fall, the River of Death, (6:56) sets the stage for understanding (6:58) the devastating effects of the fall (7:00) and the cosmic battle that shapes human existence. (7:04) Through biblical texts like Romans 1 and 8, (7:07) verses 20 through 23, (7:10) Tackett illustrates how Satan’s lies (7:12) lead to death and isolation (7:15) while God’s truth offers life and truthfulness. (7:19) By contrasting downstream life with downstream death, (7:23) he challenges believers to reject false world views, (7:27) embrace God’s meta-narrative, (7:29) and live purposefully within his redemptive plan.

(7:32) This session serves as a call to transformation, (7:36) urging Christians to engage with God’s truth (7:39) and build relationships that glorify him.