The God of real history

Michael Reeves speaks on the gospel as tied into real history: the living God creates the world and comes in space and time to redeem it. This teaching looks at the cry of “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians,” and how the great names of the first century have faded while Jesus reigns over all.

Michael Reeves (Union School of Theology), “The God of real history,” Field Notes, Enjoy Journal.

A distinguishing feature of the Christian gospel is that we don’t have some abstract system of thought, some belief that is unconnected to reality and history. The gospel is tied into history because it is the story of reality. That the living God creates this world, this world is fallen, he comes in here to redeem it. He comes in historical space and time to redeem it, that this historical space, this world might be renewed.

So, our God is a God of history, of real place and real time. And to see some of the places of scripture helps us to appreciate that. I think, for example, in Ephesus. In Ephesus, we read of the great crowds in Acts 19 who cry, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” She was the name to be named in Ephesus in the first century.

But what is so interesting about that is that today, if anyone’s even heard of Artemis, they’re quite proud of themselves because what is Artemis today? Artemis was historically very significant in Ephesus. And the silversmith there in Ephesus said that if we don’t have this great temple, the very majesty of Artemis would be impugned. What an admission. That Artemis needs her minions. Artemis does not have any divine majesty without all the gifts lavished upon her. What a needy little god. And yet she was the name to be named in Ephesus.

Today, what is Artemis? A minor historical curiosity. Ephesians 1 says that Jesus has been raised far above every ruler and authority, every name that is named. And so, the great names of the first century, Nero, Caesar, Artemis, are forgotten historical curiosities. But Jesus Christ, who came into history, remains lord of this heaven and this earth, lord of all, today. Jesus Christ is raised above all, and his reign affects all of history, and one day will wrap up all history in glory.