The middle line of the framework traces the story of Scripture from its beginning in Genesis to its expected conclusion expressed in Revelation.
The story begins with Creation, affirming that the God known to us in Jesus and via the Spirit is the same God who created all things. The affirmation in Genesis that God viewed all of creation as “good" reminds us that the whole world is the subject of the loving purposes of God.
The creation of animals and the desire on God's part to find a suitable partner for Adam, the first human, suggests it was God's original intention that humans should flourish in all respects. The fruitful garden given as a home to humankind further implies that the original intention was that the needs of all humans should be provided for.
The original creation was marred by the entry of sin: the possibility of working against the Creator, each other and the world that comes with God's granting of freedom to humanity. The Biblical story goes on to describe violence, idolatry and exploitation that resulted from sin. Poverty is another manifestation of sin as it frustrates the possibility for humans to flourish as God intended.
Nonetheless, creation strives towards a new creation which is often expressed in the Bible in very similar terminology to the original creation story. Thus, while there is continuity, there is a forward movement implied: God has a goal for human beings and the created world that all of creation will be renewed.
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