Earthly Things
Typological Treatment in the Corpus
In Noordzij’s baptismal theology, “earthly things”—i.e., the affections, desires, and orientation directed toward the earthly and mortal—typify the old orientation of humanity. This is not primarily sin, but a focus that passes away. The antitype is “things above”—the heavenly, divine reality toward which the believer, reborn in baptism, directs his affections.
Scriptural Foundation
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| Colossians 3:2 | ”Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” |
| Colossians 3:1-3 | ”If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…for you have died” |
| Matthew 6:25-33 | ”Therefore do not be anxious about your life…but seek first the kingdom of God” |
| Philippians 3:19-20 | ”Their god is their belly…they set their minds on earthly things; but our citizenship is in heaven” |
| 1 John 2:15-16 | ”Do not love the world…for all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions” |
Typological Sense
Noordzij sees in the orientation toward earthly things not merely personal sin, but a typical representation of humanity outside Christ:
So long as the human being remains oriented toward earthly things, he remains in the logic of sin and mortality. Baptism breaks this orientation.1
This break is not gradual change, but a true reversal. In Colossians 3:1-3, Paul expresses that the baptized person has already been raised with Christ—therefore his affections are now justified in directing themselves toward things above:
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.2
The progression is complete: from earthly orientation to heavenly citizenship. This is not a psychological attempt, but a reality into which the believer enters in baptism. Earthly things typifies what has passed away; things above typifies what is new and definitive.
Related Types
- Inverse progression: old-self (The old human being was oriented toward earthly things; in baptism this orientation loses its power)
- Antitype: Things Above / Heavenly Reality (The definitive focus of the baptized person; directed toward the eternal, divine)
- Thematically related: new-life (New life’s content is precisely this: loss of earthly affections, gaining the heavenly)