““Very Good”: Educating Very Good”: Educating for Gratitudefor Gratitude

Michael GoheenMichael Goheen

Trinity Western UniversityTrinity Western University

Langley, B.C.Langley, B.C.

God’s EvaluationGod’s Evaluation

God saw that it was good (6x)God saw that it was good (6x) Completion: It was very good!Completion: It was very good!

Ancient Near Eastern Ancient Near Eastern MythsMyths Chaos and order, evil and good Chaos and order, evil and good

co-mixed from the beginningco-mixed from the beginning Genesis: Very good, Genesis: Very good, thenthen evil evil

enters the world because of enters the world because of human rebellionhuman rebellion

ObservationsObservations

Each part of the creation is good Each part of the creation is good as it conforms to God’s orderas it conforms to God’s order

Whole in harmony of the parts is Whole in harmony of the parts is very goodvery good

Creation as a Creation as a symphonysymphony

The creation is a symphony where we find a The creation is a symphony where we find a variety of creatures each singing the variety of creatures each singing the praises of the Maker in accordance with its praises of the Maker in accordance with its unique character, different from creatures unique character, different from creatures of another ‘make.’ The lion is to serve the of another ‘make.’ The lion is to serve the Lord like a lion, the dandelion like a Lord like a lion, the dandelion like a dandelion. The difference in service dandelion. The difference in service depends on the difference in the Word depends on the difference in the Word addressed to them. The response of the addressed to them. The response of the creation to the one all-embracing Word—creation to the one all-embracing Word—serve Me!—is thus a symphony of voices in serve Me!—is thus a symphony of voices in which each type of creature performs its which each type of creature performs its unique function in the indispensable setting unique function in the indispensable setting of the whole (Bernard Zylstra).of the whole (Bernard Zylstra).

Shalom of creationShalom of creation

The webbing together of God, humans, and all The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call the Hebrew prophets call shalomshalom. . . . In the Bible, . . . . In the Bible, shalom means shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, universal flourishing, wholeness, and delightand delight—a rich state of affairs in which the —a rich state of affairs in which the natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be . . . In a shalomic state each entity ought to be . . . In a shalomic state each entity would have its own integrity or structured would have its own integrity or structured wholeness, and each would also possess many wholeness, and each would also possess many edifying relations to other entitiesedifying relations to other entities (Neal Plantinga). (Neal Plantinga).

ObservationsObservations

Each part of the creation is good Each part of the creation is good as it conforms to God’s orderas it conforms to God’s order

Whole in harmony of the parts is Whole in harmony of the parts is very goodvery good

Role of humankind in creationRole of humankind in creation

For the sake of For the sake of humankindhumankind Blessing or mandate?Blessing or mandate? ANE view of human roleANE view of human role Delightful callingDelightful calling

– In relationship with GodIn relationship with God

““The whole Bible leads us to expect a The whole Bible leads us to expect a glorious renewal of life on earth, so that glorious renewal of life on earth, so that the age to come will be an endlessly the age to come will be an endlessly thrilling adventure of living with God on thrilling adventure of living with God on the new earth. With his presence the new earth. With his presence pervading every act, we shall be more pervading every act, we shall be more fully human than we have ever been . . .” fully human than we have ever been . . .” (David Lawrence).(David Lawrence).

For the sake of For the sake of humankindhumankind Blessing or mandate?Blessing or mandate? Delightful callingDelightful calling

– In relationship with GodIn relationship with God– Joy of discoveryJoy of discovery

Experience of a FatherExperience of a Father

Delights to give good giftsDelights to give good gifts Delights in our responseDelights in our response

– EnjoymentEnjoyment– ThankfulnessThankfulness– LoveLove

Universe full of Universe full of blessingsblessings

God’s creation is “evidence of the God’s creation is “evidence of the caring hand of the Creator caring hand of the Creator reaching out to secure the well-reaching out to secure the well-being of his creatures, of a Father being of his creatures, of a Father extending a universe full of extending a universe full of blessings to his children.”blessings to his children.” (Gordon Spykman)(Gordon Spykman)

City of AngelsCity of Angels

Delighting in God’s good creationDelighting in God’s good creation

‘‘He slowly savours the moments taking delight He slowly savours the moments taking delight and joy in the simplest pleasures. He tastes the and joy in the simplest pleasures. He tastes the sweetness of fruit for the first time; he lingers sweetness of fruit for the first time; he lingers as he smells the pleasant aroma of perfume; he as he smells the pleasant aroma of perfume; he pauses to enjoy the sensation of hot water in pauses to enjoy the sensation of hot water in the shower; he delights in the embrace of a the shower; he delights in the embrace of a woman. He takes the time to soak in the joy woman. He takes the time to soak in the joy and delight of these new experiences.’and delight of these new experiences.’

No recognition of Giver, no thanks!No recognition of Giver, no thanks!

Gratitude: The Gratitude: The Heartbeat of Pauline Heartbeat of Pauline SpiritualitySpiritualityGratitude permeates Paul’s life and holds a Gratitude permeates Paul’s life and holds a prominent place in his letters to the young prominent place in his letters to the young churches. . . . Gratitude is the prospective churches. . . . Gratitude is the prospective attitude that he carries—and expects attitude that he carries—and expects believers to carry—into their daily life in believers to carry—into their daily life in the world. For Paul, thanksgiving marks the the world. For Paul, thanksgiving marks the dividing line between belief and unbelief, dividing line between belief and unbelief, between the obedient and disobedient between the obedient and disobedient heart. It is in the expression of gratitude heart. It is in the expression of gratitude that one truly honors God as the creator that one truly honors God as the creator and Lord of the world. On the other hand, a and Lord of the world. On the other hand, a lack of gratitude is a primary sin against lack of gratitude is a primary sin against God (Rom 1.21). - R. P. MeyeGod (Rom 1.21). - R. P. Meye

Heartbeat of Pauline Heartbeat of Pauline spiritualityspirituality

For everything God created is good, and nothing For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received is to be rejected if it is received with with thanksgivingthanksgiving ... (1 Tim 4.4). ... (1 Tim 4.4).

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving giving thanksthanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3.17) to God the Father through him. (Col 3.17)

If I take part in the meal If I take part in the meal with thankfulnesswith thankfulness, , why am I denounced because of something I why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10.30-31)Cor 10.30-31)

All of life as a giftAll of life as a gift

We serve Christ by thankfully We serve Christ by thankfully receiving our life as a gift from his receiving our life as a gift from his hand (CT, par. 46).hand (CT, par. 46).

Posture of gratitudePosture of gratitude

We are dependent children of a gracious We are dependent children of a gracious Father, and as children we receive all of Father, and as children we receive all of the goodness of the creation as a gift the goodness of the creation as a gift from his hand. Our dependence upon him from his hand. Our dependence upon him places us in a posture of humility, places us in a posture of humility, receptiveness, and gratitude; and that receptiveness, and gratitude; and that posture shapes how we approach his posture shapes how we approach his creation as well. The blessings of creation as well. The blessings of creation are not things that we own to do creation are not things that we own to do with as we please; they are gifts of grace with as we please; they are gifts of grace that we receive with thanksgiving and that we receive with thanksgiving and use in ways that honor the Father’s rule use in ways that honor the Father’s rule over his entire creation (Hielema, 151).over his entire creation (Hielema, 151).

What thwarts What thwarts thankfulness?thankfulness? Humanist story that pervades Humanist story that pervades

Western cultureWestern culture

Humanistic StoryHumanistic Story

Secular:Secular: The Way of the (modern) The Way of the (modern) world: Or, Why It’s Tempting to world: Or, Why It’s Tempting to Live As If God Doesn’t ExistLive As If God Doesn’t Exist (Craig (Craig Gay)Gay)

Non-human creation just natural Non-human creation just natural processes to be exploitedprocesses to be exploited

Human life product of our Human life product of our resourceful achievementsresourceful achievements

Squelches gratitudeSquelches gratitude

What thwarts What thwarts thankfulness?thankfulness? Humanist story that pervades Humanist story that pervades

Western cultureWestern culture Satiation of consumerismSatiation of consumerism Otherworldliness of Platonic Otherworldliness of Platonic

gospelgospel– Turn your eyes upon Jesus . . .Turn your eyes upon Jesus . . .

Sport and CompetitionSport and Competition

My Platonism and a ‘degraded view of sport’My Platonism and a ‘degraded view of sport’ God’s giftGod’s gift A phys. ed. teacher’s questionA phys. ed. teacher’s question ““What is it about sports and competition What is it about sports and competition

that delights you?”that delights you?”

‘God made me fast. When I run I feel his pleasure. . . . it’s not just fun. To win is to honour him’ (Eric Liddell).

My Delight in God’s Good My Delight in God’s Good Gift of Competitive Gift of Competitive SportsSports Emotional intensityEmotional intensity

– ‘‘Thrill of victory, agony of defeat’Thrill of victory, agony of defeat’– Way out of proportion with importanceWay out of proportion with importance– Absorbed intensely and utterly in serious Absorbed intensely and utterly in serious

pursuit of non-serious activity pursuit of non-serious activity – Joy, emotional vibrancy spills into lifeJoy, emotional vibrancy spills into life

‘ ‘Play relativizes our over-seriousness toward Play relativizes our over-seriousness toward life, filling us with a spirit of joy and delight life, filling us with a spirit of joy and delight that carries over into all aspects of our that carries over into all aspects of our existence.’existence.’

My Delight in God’s Good My Delight in God’s Good Gift of Competitive Gift of Competitive SportsSports Emotional intensityEmotional intensity Physical satisfactionPhysical satisfaction

‘ ‘Athletes know the beauty of intensity Athletes know the beauty of intensity of effort, the motivation of pursuit of of effort, the motivation of pursuit of goals, the feeling and being of fitness, goals, the feeling and being of fitness, the expressiveness of movement, the the expressiveness of movement, the creativity of play, the excitement of creativity of play, the excitement of total involvement and the joy of sport’ total involvement and the joy of sport’ (Zuidema).(Zuidema).

My Delight in God’s Good My Delight in God’s Good Gift of Competitive Gift of Competitive SportsSports Emotional intensityEmotional intensity Physical satisfactionPhysical satisfaction Social bondingSocial bonding Aesthetic enjoymentAesthetic enjoyment

– ‘‘Creativity of play’Creativity of play’– That perfect playThat perfect play

My Delight in God’s Good My Delight in God’s Good Gift of Competitive Gift of Competitive SportsSports Emotional intensityEmotional intensity Physical satisfactionPhysical satisfaction Social bondingSocial bonding Aesthetic enjoymentAesthetic enjoyment Religious deepeningReligious deepening

Delight turned upward into thanksDelight turned upward into thanks

Educating for Educating for thanksgiving . . . thanksgiving . . .

Delight and joy in goodness of Delight and joy in goodness of God’s creationGod’s creation

Thankfulness and gratitude as Thankfulness and gratitude as proper responseproper response

Struggle for shalomStruggle for shalom

For Wolterstorff, the goal of Christian For Wolterstorff, the goal of Christian higher education is to energize higher education is to energize students for a certain way of being in students for a certain way of being in the world here and now—to the world here and now—to encourage them to struggle for encourage them to struggle for shalom. . . . shalom. . . .

Delight and GratitudeDelight and Gratitude

The goal is to prepare students for life The goal is to prepare students for life and work of the Kingdom for struggling and work of the Kingdom for struggling for human flourishing . . . where for human flourishing . . . where delight delight and joyand joy are intrinsic features of right are intrinsic features of right human relationships with God, the human relationships with God, the natural world, the self, and others.natural world, the self, and others.

Shalom involves recognizing in Shalom involves recognizing in ourselves ourselves that place where God’s that place where God’s goodness finds its answer in our goodness finds its answer in our gratitudegratitude..

- Joldersma, on - Joldersma, on WolterstorffWolterstorff

What is necessary if we What is necessary if we are to education for are to education for gratitude?gratitude? Developing life of thanksgivingDeveloping life of thanksgiving Developing sense of delight and Developing sense of delight and

gratitude for area you teachgratitude for area you teach– Place in God’s worldPlace in God’s world– Why brings delight, joyWhy brings delight, joy

Developing pedagogical ways to foster Developing pedagogical ways to foster delight and thanksgivingdelight and thanksgiving

Developing communal ‘culture of Developing communal ‘culture of thanksgiving’thanksgiving’

Gratitude gives way to Gratitude gives way to groaninggroaning

We live in a strange world, a world which We live in a strange world, a world which presents us with tremendous contrasts. The presents us with tremendous contrasts. The high and the low, the great and the small, high and the low, the great and the small, the sublime and the ridiculous, the beautiful the sublime and the ridiculous, the beautiful and the ugly, the tragic and the comic, the and the ugly, the tragic and the comic, the good and the evil, the truth and the lie, good and the evil, the truth and the lie, these all are heaped up in unfathomable these all are heaped up in unfathomable interrelationship. The gravity and the vanity interrelationship. The gravity and the vanity of life seize us in turn. Now we are prompted of life seize us in turn. Now we are prompted to optimism, then to pessimism. Man to optimism, then to pessimism. Man weeping is constantly giving way to man weeping is constantly giving way to man laughing. The whole world stands in the sign laughing. The whole world stands in the sign of humour, which has been well described as of humour, which has been well described as a laugh in a tear (Bavinck).a laugh in a tear (Bavinck).

A suffering and wounded A suffering and wounded worldworld

‘‘Shalom . . . is a command to humans Shalom . . . is a command to humans living here and now, in a fallen world, in living here and now, in a fallen world, in a society that is filled with pain, a society that is filled with pain, suffering, and woundedness.’suffering, and woundedness.’

‘‘Shalom as a command is a call for us to Shalom as a command is a call for us to struggle to bring about human struggle to bring about human flourishing in our community, our flourishing in our community, our society, our world, precisely because so society, our world, precisely because so much of humanity cries out, suffers, is much of humanity cries out, suffers, is wounded.’wounded.’

Gratitude and Gratitude and GroaningGroaning

Gratitude: Delight in good gifts Gratitude: Delight in good gifts God has richly providedGod has richly provided

Groaning: Many are shut out from Groaning: Many are shut out from enjoyment of those giftsenjoyment of those gifts

PovertyPoverty

It is generally accepted that up to two billion It is generally accepted that up to two billion people . . . are now poor. The World Bank people . . . are now poor. The World Bank describes the one billion of these people as describes the one billion of these people as “individuals who subsist on incomes of less than “individuals who subsist on incomes of less than $75 a year in an environment of squalor, hunger $75 a year in an environment of squalor, hunger and hopelessness. They are the absolute poor, and hopelessness. They are the absolute poor, living in situations so deprived as to be below living in situations so deprived as to be below any rational definition of human decency...It is a any rational definition of human decency...It is a life at the margin of existence.” For the other life at the margin of existence.” For the other billion who are living slightly above this absolute billion who are living slightly above this absolute poverty level, life is nearly as joyless and has poverty level, life is nearly as joyless and has improved little, it at all, through decades of improved little, it at all, through decades of “development” efforts.“development” efforts.

-Harvie Conn -Harvie Conn

Factors exacerbating Factors exacerbating povertypoverty

Growing populationGrowing population Ecological issuesEcological issues Unjust structuresUnjust structures Massive militarizationMassive militarization

Not just poverty . . . Not just poverty . . . Not just the third world . Not just the third world . . .. .

Social problemsSocial problems Psychological disordersPsychological disorders Technological impoverishmentTechnological impoverishment WarWar Grip of idolsGrip of idols Etc. etc. etc.Etc. etc. etc.

The non-human The non-human creation also groanscreation also groans

We know that the whole creation We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but ourselves, time. Not only so, but ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8.22-23).our bodies (Rom 8.22-23).

Orientation leads to Orientation leads to actionaction GratitudeGratitude

GroaningGroaning

Leads to Leads to stewardshipstewardship

Leads to action Leads to action for justicefor justice

Victory of the gospel!Victory of the gospel!

Joy, not overcome by painJoy, not overcome by pain Hope, not despairHope, not despair Action, not paralysisAction, not paralysis