I like how Polhill talks about the “stanzas” of Paul’s Christ Hymn: first stanza—Christ, Firstborn of creation; second stanza—Christ, Firstborn from among the dead. The idea of Christ’s presence in the creation reflects the idea that John portrays in the 1st chapter: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” For years I have often thought that Jesus was an afterthought (God already knew he was going to do it, but he thought he would try the Law first) of creation, but I have come to realize through my understanding of theology that Jesus was there the whole time and was in the forefront of God’s mind from the very act of creation. Christ is also the firstborn from among the dead; this is a nearly eschatological idea pointing to the resurrection of everyone else too. Jesus has already experienced the death and resurrection to make him that much better than us. I think someone should take this hymn idea and run with it…no Stamps and Baxter…Baptist Hymnal!
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