Redemption is Already Accomplished but Not Yet Complete
By Rod Dreher
Rawlings School of Divinity
CLED 800: Biblical & Theological Foundations of Education
Genevieve Hamer
July 3, 2022
Redemption is Already Accomplished but Not Yet Complete
Humans still retain the image of God, which accounts for any semblance of goodness and
enables any sense of progress (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). However, life is not as it should be in this
fallen world. Theologians have differed over the means by which Adam’s sin has been passed
down to every person but the reality of death provides sufficient confirmation that no one is
exempt (Romans 5:12). Though Charles Manson and Billy Graham took completely different
paths with their lives, both are subject to the death sentence as are you and I. The Bible thus
describes our common plight: we are “dead” in our “trespasses and sins” and we are “by nature
children under wrath” (Ephesians 2:1,3).
Redemption is the reversal of the fall. In part, this reversal means that those who were
spiritually dead are made alive (Ephesians 2:4) and those who were children of wrath are now
children of God (1 John 3:1). Though the Bible recognizes that fallen people may make positive
contributions to the world as a whole, the Bible is quite clear that no one can contribute
anything positive to their own redemption (Romans 3:23-28). The only person qualified to undo
the effects of the fall is Jesus Christ who, as the eternal Son of God incarnated through the
Virgin Mary, was exempted from inheriting Adam’s sin. This is not to say that he was not
tempted as he lived in a fallen world and experienced genuine struggles that all humans face
(Hebrews 2:14-18). However, the Bible unflinchingly states that Jesus never sinned (2
Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) and thus focuses on him alone as the one who
can make sinful humans fit to worship a holy God (Acts 4:12). Even the death of Jesus was not
the result of any sin he committed but rather the most gracious act of love ever displayed,
where he took upon himself the sins of the world so that all who believe in him will be saved
(Romans 5:6-11).
The Big Picture of Redemption in the Bible
The doctrine of redemption extends even beyond the matter of individual salvation. During
his lifetime, Jesus provided abundant proof of his ability to completely restore a fallen world.
He demonstrated his lordship over heaven when he calmed the storms on the sea (Mark 4:35-
41); he demonstrated his lordship over hell when he exorcised demons from a troubled man
(Mark 5:1-20); he demonstrated his lordship over life when he healed a woman of her incurable
disease (Mark 5:24-34); and he demonstrated his lordship over death when he raised a young
girl from the dead (Mark 5:35-43). With these and countless other miracles (John 20:30-31;
21:25), Jesus provided ample reason for us to conclude that this troubled world is not our
home. He himself will make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
The final book of the Bible is, therefore, a fitting end to the story of the fall with its
triumphant declaration of full redemption: “Then he showed me the river of living water,
sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the
broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit,
producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the trees are for healing the nations, and there
will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves
will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no
longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give
them light. And they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:1-5).
