The Concept of a Fallen World in Christian Theology
The concept of a "fallen world" in Christian thought refers to the state of creation after the disobedience of the first humans, Adam and Eve, as recorded in Genesis 2 and 3 [1]. This event, often termed the "Fall of man," resulted in sin and misery for humanity and the broader creation [1]. The history of the Fall is understood as a literal account of facts that form the foundation of revealed truth and God's subsequent interactions with humanity [1].
The "world" in this context can refer to humanity in its state of alienation from God, as well as the physical creation [5]. The apostle John exhorts believers not to love "the world" that "lieth in the wicked one," distinguishing this from God's compassionate love for the fallen world [5]. This implies a distinction between the created order itself and the system of human values and practices that are opposed to God [5].
The consequences of the Fall extend beyond humanity to the physical universe. Scriptural passages, such as Psalm 102:25-26 and Isaiah 51:6, describe the heavens and earth as perishing or waxing old like a garment, indicating their impermanence [6, 7]. Charles Hodge notes that while these predictions primarily concern the earth, they suggest that the material universe, not being eternal, will not last forever [3]. This perspective views the current world as subject to decay and change, awaiting a future transformation [6, 7].
The idea of a fallen world also implies a contrast with an "ideal preëxistence" or a divine "ideal world" that Scripture alludes to, where humanity was contemplated by divine omniscience [4]. This suggests that the current state of the world is a deviation from its original, intended perfection [4].
The concept of a fallen world is distinct from the idea of a "Limbus Patrum" or an "under-world" as a gloomy prison, which some ancient traditions held [8, 9]. Instead, the Christian understanding emphasizes that the fallen state necessitates a renewal, and believers, upon death, are anticipated to enter the presence of Christ [2, 9]. The world's fallen state is not its final condition, as Scripture points to an ultimate consummation and transformation [3, 7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fall of man — An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and all their posterity were involved. The history of the Fall is recorded in Gen. 2 and 3. That history is to be literally interpreted. It records facts which underlie the whole system of revealed truth. It is referred to by our Lord and his apostles not only as being true, but as furnishing the ground of all God's subsequent dispensations and dealings with the children of m”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6:6: If--Greek, "And (yet) have fallen away"; compare a less extreme falling or declension, Gal 5:4, "Ye are fallen from grace." Here an entire and wilful apostasy is meant; the Hebrews had not yet so fallen away; but he warns them that such would be the final result of retrogression, if, instead of "going on to perfection," they should need to learn again the first principles of Christianity (Heb 6:1). to renew them again--They have been "once" (Heb 6:4) already renewed, or made anew, and now they need to be "renewed" over "again." crucify to themselve”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 93: the bondage of corruption. The change to be effected is in the dwelling-place of man. ( d .) According to the Apostle Peter, it is the world which once was destroyed by water, that is to be consumed by fire. But although the predictions of Scripture concern only our earth, it does not follow that the material universe is to last forever. As it is not from eternity, it probably will not last forever. It may be only one of the grand exhibitions of the wonderful working of God in the field of infinite space, and in the course of unending age”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 13: Nicht bloss Philosophie und falchberühmte Gnosis, sondern auch die Schrift weiss und spricht von einer göttlichen Idealwelt, zu welcher sich die Zeitwelt wie die geschichtliche Verwirklichung eines ewigen Grundrisses verhält. 95 95 Biblische Psychologie, p. 23. That is, “There is according to the Scriptures, an ideal preëxistence of man; a preëxistence in virtue of which man and humanity are contemplated by the divine omniscience not merely as objects lying far off in the future, but as present in the mirror of his wisdom. Not only philos”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:15: Love not the world--that lieth in the wicked one (Jo1 5:19), whom ye young men have overcome. Having once for all, through faith, overcome the world (Jo1 4:4; Jo1 5:4), carry forward the conquest by not loving it. "The world" here means "man, and man's world" [ALFORD], in his and its state as fallen from God. "God loved [with the love of compassion] the world," and we should feel the same kind of love for the fallen world; but we are not to love the world with congeniality and sympathy in its alienation from God; we cannot have this latter kind of love”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 24.--PASSAGES FROM THE PSALMS OF DAVID WHICH PREDICT THE END OF THE WORLD AND THE LAST JUDGMENT. (part 1): There are many allusions to the last judgment in the Psalms, but for the most part only casual and slight. I cannot, however, omit 444 to mention what is said there in express terms of the end of this world: "In the beginning hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth, O Lord; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shall endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; and as a vesture ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 93: § 3. The End of the World. The principal passages of Scriptures relating to the final consummation or the end of the world, are the following: Psalm iii. 25, 26 , “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old as a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.” Isaiah li. 6 , “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and t”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 78: decided, all that remains certain is that Christ, after his death upon the cross, entered the invisible world, and there, in some way, made proclamation of what He had done on earth. All this is very far from teaching the doctrine of a “ Limbus Patrum ,” as taught by the Jews, the Fathers, or the Romanists. It is a great mistake in interpretation of the New Testament, to bring down its teachings to the level of Jewish or Pagan ideas. Because the Jews expected the Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom, it is inferred that the kingdom of ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 76: is 730 floundering. The simple fact is that the inspired Apostle confidently anticipated for himself, and evidently for his fellow-believers, immediate admission at death to the presence of Christ. The ancients regarded the “under-world” or Hades, as “a gloomy prison,” as Mr. Alger himself calls it. That Paul should have desired death in order that he should be thrust into a dungeon, no man can believe. The Scriptures represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as being in heaven. The good, at death, are carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. Mose”