Redemption As Restoration or Elevation (3)

 ME> Yes, while some forms of redemption may aim to bring us back to what was, others may indeed aim to lead us to something even greater. And in the case of being led to something greater, who's going to complain? Who's going to complain and say, hey, look, you're supposed to actually take me back to something that was what it was before. Nobody will complain if it's even better. In fact the improved state might be like a superset of the former state. 

 If a son loses a toy like a worn out tennis racket and his father instead of searching for that racket, gives him a brand new racket, is the son going to complain? No.

ChatGPT> Exactly! The idea of redemption leading to an even greater state than the original one captures a profound truth: when something lost is restored in a way that surpasses its former state, it's not just a return to the status quo but an elevation that exceeds expectations.

Your example of the son and the tennis racket illustrates this perfectly. If the son loses a worn-out racket and receives a brand new, better one in return, he’s not going to complain—he’s gained something far better than what he lost. The improved state becomes a "superset" of the former state, encompassing all the good of the original but adding even more value and quality.

This concept also resonates deeply with how redemption is often portrayed in Christian theology. The idea is not just to return humanity to the pre-Fall state, but to bring about something far greater: an eternal, unbreakable relationship with God, marked by resurrection and eternal life, which is far superior to even the original goodness of Eden.

In essence, the improved state is a gift that goes beyond mere restitution—it’s an act of grace that enriches the recipient beyond what they originally had, and it aligns perfectly with the character of a generous and loving redeemer.

ME> Let me add one more observation. In the Old Testament, suppose an Israelite lost his house. Perhaps he was in financial debt or something. So let's suppose he loses no his house. Well then, his relative, who might be a redeemer of his, could come and repurchase that house. He could repurchase that house and give it back to him. That's a case of where you just have simple restoration, redemption. It's a case of redemption where you have just restoration. It's the same house as it was before. So, the person who lost the house can move back into the same old house. Now, a case where things could be different is, suppose the redeemer now refurbishes the house, adds new paint to the walls and such. Then we have a case of redemption still, but now we have improvement. And both are good.

ChatGPT> That's a great observation and a perfect way to illustrate the distinction between simple restoration and redemption with improvement.

Restoration: Simple Redemption

In the scenario where the Israelite loses his house due to financial debt, the act of a relative, or a goel (kinsman-redeemer), buying back the house is an example of redemption through restoration. The relative repurchases the same house and returns it to the original owner, allowing him to move back in. This form of redemption is about reclaiming what was lost and returning to the former state, ensuring that the person’s status and possessions are restored exactly as they were.

Improvement: Enhanced Redemption

Now, if the redeemer goes beyond just repurchasing the house and decides to refurbish it—adding new paint, upgrading fixtures, or making other enhancements—then this becomes a case of redemption with improvement. The house is not just restored to its original state but is now better than before. The original owner receives not only what was lost but something greater, something that enriches and elevates his life beyond what he previously had.

Both Are Good

Both forms of redemption are good and meaningful, though they serve different purposes:

• Simple restoration ensures justice and fairness by returning what was lost, maintaining the original state and integrity of the person’s life.
• Improvement adds an element of grace, generosity, and enhancement, offering not just justice but an added blessing.

In a theological context, both forms of redemption reflect aspects of God's work. God can restore what was lost, as seen in the Israelites' return to their land after exile, or He can bring about a greater good than what was originally possessed, as seen in the promise of a new heaven and new earth that surpasses the original creation.

Your example beautifully captures how redemption can operate on different levels, offering either restoration or an improved state—or sometimes, a combination of both. Both are expressions of the redemptive work that can transform lives, whether through restoring what was lost or through making what is received even better than before.