These are glorious themes, and so it is no surprise that people have explored them in literature. This page begins to compile a collection of literature that explores each dimension. Each dimension may be seen as a paradigm that makes certain things stand out as meaningful, and much literature is written from the perspective of one dimension, because that dimension is what is most meaningful to its writer. The tables below show examples of literature written from the point of view of each dimension.
However, each dimension is incomplete without the others. D1 on its own is thin, even though precious; it needs D2 and D3 to fill it out. D2 cannot take place without D1, but without D3 becomes rather self-centred. D3 is the dimension that gives ultimate meaning of God's Cosmic Plan to D1 and D2, but cannot be properly undertaken without D1 and D2, even though people of the world might yearn for it. D3 prepares us for the Real Life Beyond - the New Earth and Heavens.
So some literature is written from the perspective of more than one dimension. That is perhaps the most helpful and fruitful kind. But, since D3 has only recently been 'discovered' its literature is perhaps rarer. Nevertheless, the Truth of God involves all three dimensions, and the regenerated and Spirit-filled human years for fulfilment of all three. So, even when a writer writes from one dimension, they will find themselves reaching forward (or back) to the others, if it is good quality writing.
So, in the tables below, we give the literature, outline how it explores the dimension, and then briefly indicate how it reaches for, if not actually discuss, other dimensions. The fourth column contains notes.
| Literature | How it explores D1 | How it reaches for D2, D3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pilgrim's Progress (Milton)
(Very well written, and an all-time classic.) | Pilgrim finds forgiveness and release from guilt when he comes to the Cross. Enters by the Narrow Gate and finds he was chosen from before the foundation of the world. He then undertakes the journey of life, battling with the world, the flesh (temptations) and the devil. The drama is about how he remains faithful to Christ, until he reaches the River (death) and is ferried across to Life. This life is seen as hostile, maintaining faithfulness, purity and thankfulness to God for forgiveness and hope of heaven. | There is a little about joy. But not much about the Holy Spirit, not much about sanctification, gifts of the Spirit, fruit of the Spirit (D2), and even less about blessing God's creation. |
| Literature | How it explores D2 | How it reaches for D1, D3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nine O'Clock in the Morning (Dennis Bennett)
(An early classic of the 1970s charismatic movement) | This is Dennis Bennett's testimony of how he discovered 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit', and his journey of discovering gifts of the Spirit, and also some fruit of the Spirit. |
D1: It explains how Bennett accepted Christ as Saviour.
D3: There is some recognition of the importance of the body and feelings, which are two spheres of human life that had been ignored under D1. But there is little else, and nothing about blessing the non-human creation. |
| Literature | How it explores D1 | How it reaches for D1, D2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Transforming Vision (Walsh & Middleton)
(An important book that introduced a new way of understanding salvation) | This is a slightly intellectual book, but with light touches and a good read. It introduces a new way of understanding Scripture and life in Christ in general. It uses Dooyeweerd's scheme of aspects to give due attention to various spheres of life that should come under Christ's dominion. |
D1: It assumes that we are made right with God (justified) through Christ.
D2: Not much about the work of the Holy Spirit. | An intellectual book from a Reformational perspective. |
This page is offered to God as on-going work in developing a 'New View' in theology that is appropriate to the days that are coming upon us. Comments, queries welcome.
Copyright (c) Andrew Basden 2012, but you may use this material subject to certain conditions.
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Created: 5 November 2012. Last updated: