“...in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
If we were to attempt to describe the world God has made in a single phrase, we might choose something along the lines of “ordered hierarchy.”
This description, by virtue of its brevity, is of course incomplete, like trying to sing four-part harmony with a single set of vocal chords. Nevertheless, it retains at least some usefulness in that it grapples with both the breadth and depth of the created order. On the one hand, it leaves room for all the billions of individual creatures that inhabit the cosmos; on the other, it gives reference to the various categories and classes that hold them all together.
Thus, describing creation as an ordered hierarchy captures both the genus and the species, the universal and the particular, the one and the many. And it does so, furthermore, while conveying the ever-important truth that there is a discernible shape and structure to the whole ensemble. Creation, in other words, is more like a symphony than a 90’s grunge band — no matter what the materialists say to the contrary.
One question this definition poses, however, is, “What is creation ordered to?” Or better, “Who is creation ordered to?” If the universe is not in fact an arbitrary cacophony of sights, sounds, and sensations, then what is the overarching purpose or theme that binds it all together? Who sits atop the hierarchy?
In answer, the New Testament rings forth with a single, resounding conclusion: all things — whether things in heaven or things on earth — exist through Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16). Indeed, in Him “all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).
Another way of saying this is that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, is the foundation of all existence, order, organization, and intelligibility in the cosmos. He is not peripheral or secondary, not some religious icon that can be tacked onto “spiritual things” like a cosmic bumper sticker. He is the King and Creator, the One through whom all things exist. And as the King, “all things” (note the repetition in the text) exist for His glory. From mountain peaks to tree frogs, every minute, intricate, individuated detail of this amazing world finds its meaning, purpose, and centre in Him.
Reality, therefore, is, in a very real sense, christological: it is shaped and fashioned to hold together only insofar as it holds to the Son. Thus, to depart from Him is to necessarily become like a leaf broken off from the tree. It is to become detached, withered, storm-tossed, and rootless — literally, to “dis-integrate” and break apart, as the creature is severed from the Creator. Put another way, this world, in all its awe-inspiring totality, only “holds together” inasmuch as it holds to Christ, because the throne of reality, like it or not, is not occupied by us — it belongs to the Son, the firstborn of all creation (v. 15).
The popular name for this process of disintegration has become “progress,” by which we refer to our culture’s manic desire to detach itself from everything remotely Christian. But, as should be evident by now, no such project is even possible. Christ is the basis of reality itself, and thus disentangling oneself from Him necessarily means moving further and further toward madness and pandemonium. As has been noted before, it truly is Christ or chaos and the proof is in the cultural rodeo-circus unfolding all around us.
That being the case, the Church’s task remains the same, to publicly declare to a rebellious world the riches and beauty and glory of the Saviour:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col. 1:15–20)
To Him be glory forever. Amen.
Amen! Thanks for your faithful and much needed calls to truth, brother!