God as the Center of the Universe

[Arial]

In creation, what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

 

[fastfredy0]

In creation, what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

God cannot will any other thing but himself as his end, because there is nothing superior to himself in goodness. Stephen Charnock - Existence and Attributes of God

God cannot so properly be said to make the creature his end, as himself. For the creature is not as yet considered as existing. Edwards, Jonathan. The Complete Works of Jonathan Edwards

As there is none more excellent than himself, nothing can be his end but himself (sola Deo Gloria); as he is the cause of all, so he is the end of all; “Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things” (Romans 11:36).

Isaiah 43:7 says that God created us for His glory.

WCF Chapter 2.1- “Working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory”. Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.

Proverbs 16:4 it is said expressly, "The Lord hath made all things for himself."

Colossians 1:16 "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him."

Job 35:7 “If you are righteous, what do you give God, Or what does He receive from your hand? 8 “Your wickedness affects only a man such as you, And your righteousness affects only a son of man [but it cannot affect God, who is sovereign]”

 

[John Bauer]

In creation, both what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

Is man the center? Not independently, not ultimately, and not ontologically.

But in the economy of God’s covenantal dealings, man is (a) created as God's image-bearer to whom and in whom God reveals himself, (b) the focus of divine redemption, (c) the assumed nature in the incarnation, (d) the dwelling place of the Spirit of God, and (e) the bride of Christ in glory. So, although man is not the ontological or metaphysical center of the universe, he is functionally and redemptively central in the divine plan. In that sense—and only in that sense—one could argue that man is the center of the universe.

The original claim—"man is never the center of the universe"—is ultimately true when measured against God's intrinsic supremacy and theocentric teleology. But a counter-argument can be sustained within the framework of God's covenantal economy, namely, God made man central to his redemptive and incarnational purposes. And that is likewise a form of centering—albeit always derivative, dependent, and for God's glory.

There is certainly a Christological argument for the conclusion that man is (at least in some carefully nuanced sense) the center of the universe: The Son of God became man, which is the most radical centering of humanity in all of reality. He did not assume angelic or some animal nature. Not only that but this humanity isn't a temporary cloak but now and forever hypostatically united to the divine nature. In Christ, manhood is joined to Godhead, the glorified Christ reigning bodily from heaven, whose human nature participates in the eternal rule of the cosmos. That which was dust is now seated at the right hand of majesty. That reaches beyond inclusion to exaltation.

"For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, ..." (Heb 2:16-17).

 

[Arial]

Is man the center? Not independently, not ultimately, and not ontologically.

But in the economy of God’s covenantal dealings, man is (a) created as God's image-bearer to whom and in whom God reveals himself, (b) the focus of divine redemption, (c) the assumed nature in the incarnation, (d) the dwelling place of the Spirit of God, and (e) the bride of Christ in glory. So, although man is not the ontological or metaphysical center of the universe, he is functionally and redemptively central in the divine plan. In that sense—and only in that sense—one could argue that man is the center of the universe.

The original claim—"man is never the center of the universe"—is ultimately true when measured against God's intrinsic supremacy and theocentric teleology. But a counter-argument can be sustained within the framework of God's covenantal economy, namely, God made man central to his redemptive and incarnational purposes. And that is likewise a form of centering—albeit always derivative, dependent, and for God's glory.

There is certainly a Christological argument for the conclusion that man is (at least in some carefully nuanced sense) the center of the universe: The Son of God became man, which is the most radical centering of humanity in all of reality. He did not assume angelic or some animal nature. Not only that but this humanity isn't a temporary cloak but now and forever hypostatically united to the divine nature. In Christ, manhood is joined to Godhead, the glorified Christ reigning bodily from heaven, whose human nature participates in the eternal rule of the cosmos. That which was dust is now seated at the right hand of majesty. That reaches beyond inclusion to exaltation.

"For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, ..." (Heb 2:16-17).

You bring up some very good points about man's created position in the world. As the only creation that is created in the image and likeness of God. As given dominion over the earth as stewards of the creation,( but not sovereign over it). And as man's unique role in God's plan of redemption shown by the Son coming as one of us. However, the original statement of man never being the center of creation was not disproved, imo.

Here is why.

The Covenant of Redemption (pactum salutis). This pre-temporal agreement among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to redeem a people for God's glory. Not man's exaltation.

The redemptive work of Christ resulted in: the destruction of Satan, sin and death (1 John 3:8; Heb 2:14); the reconciliation of all things to God (Col.1:20); a new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Rev 21:1-8; Isa 11).

Man is the intended means by which God's glory in redemption is displayed, but never the center (Eph 1:6,12,14). Christ becomes a man, not to glorify humanity but to glorify the triune God through victory. The church, as the redeemed by Christ, display his mercy, justice, and grace (Eph 3:10).

Man indeed plays a crucial role as recipient and instrument, but he is never the end or the center. That belongs always to God.

 

[Tambora]

In creation, what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

Since the universe is creation, I believe mankind (who was part of creation) was the central point of it.

 

[Carbon]

In creation, what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

Ummmm, man isn't the center of the universe....?




Are you serious?

 

[CrowCross]

In creation, what we see and what we don't see, man is never the center of the universe.

Prove or disprove this statement.

Col 1:17 tells us.....He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Man is not the center of the universe...Jesus is. Man wasn't before all things. Man doesn't hold all things together.

 

[Arial]

Since the universe is creation, I believe mankind (who was part of creation) was the central point of it.

Indeed mankind was the crowning glory of his creation. But we are his servants over creation, and are serving his purposes in redemption.