George Weigel on God's Creation and Redemption

"A Lenten quiz: Which came first, God's creation of the world or God's covenant with Israel? If we think in terms of mere chronology, the answer is obvious. If we think theologically, however, we get a different answer -- and the drama of creation, covenant, and redemption comes into clearer focus.

"In 'Jesus of Nazareth - Holy Week,' Pope Benedict XVI teaches that God's covenant with Israel is not some sort of divine afterthought, an add-on or remedy for something that had gone wrong. No, the covenant and its fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of a son of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth, who inaugurates a new covenant including both Jews and Gentiles, are the very reasons why God created the world: 'According to rabbinic theology, the idea of the covenant - the idea of establishing a holy people to be an interlocutor for God in union with him - is prior to the idea of creation and supplies its inner motive. The cosmos was created, not that there be manifold things in heaven and earth, but that there might be space for the 'covenant,' for the loving 'yes' between God and his human respondent."

In a recent commentary, George Weigel (columnist and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC) reflected on God creating and redeeming the world so that His holiness might be shared by a people empowered by grace to live holy lives.

To access Mr. Weigel's complete post, please visit:

The Boston Pilot: Echoes: The Catholic Difference: Creation, redemption, martyrdom: A Lenten reflection (10 APR 19)