The Works of God Creation Theology Proper The Works of God Creation

The question of origins is critical to theology The question of origins is critical to theology. Fundamental to God’s existence (Theology Proper) and communication with man (Bibliology) is the realization of the origin of our planet and of man himself. If there is no creation, there is nothing left but the eternal existence of matter. No one was present but God in the inception of the physical globe. Short of divine revelation about that inception there is no verifiable information. Hence the scientific method does not work in the matter of origins.

A Proposition of Faith Creationism Evolution

The Importance of Creation as a Fact It is first subject, in fact, the first statement of the Bible. (Gen. 1:1) It is one of the first assertions in the Gospel of John (1:1-3)  It is found in the faith chapter of Hebrews. (11:3)  Even in heaven itself the issue of creation continues to be an important issue as evidenced by reference to it in great throne room scene yet future. (Rev. 4:11)

The fact of creation is assumed in Scripture The fact of creation is assumed in Scripture. God created heaven and earth (Isa. 40:26; 45:18). God created all men (Psa. 102:18; 139:13-16; Isa. 43;1,7; 54:16; Eze. 21:30). God is the creator of all things in heaven and in earth (Isa. 43:5; 45:12; Acts 17:24; Rom. 11:36; Eph. 3:9)

Creation ex nihilo The New Testament is quite specific about creation ex nihilo. (Rom. 4:17; 2 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 11:3; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; Col. 1:17) There was no pre-existing material because God created all things!

Creation by Divine Fiat Eight times “God said” in Genesis 1. This was direct creation of everything from nothing. Only God can make something out of nothing. There was also indirect creation in which God took material He had already created and formed something new. The creation of man and woman certainly should be defined in these terms. (Gen. 2:7; 21-23)

Creation Principles God was the one and only Creator of the world. The world had a beginning, coeval with time. There was a succession of free creative acts of God. Man was the result of a special creative act and was ordained overlord of the other living beings.

Conclusions That the universe is not eternal. It was not formed out of preexistence or substance; but was created ex nihilo. That creation was not necessary.

Those who attempt to accommodate the evolutionary model while professing faith in Scripture attempt to explain creation in terms of long periods of time (theistic evolution). They do so by manipulating the use of the Hebrew word “day” in Genesis 1. This is commonly called the “day-age theory.” This is dishonest. “Whenever yom is used with a number, it means a twenty-four-hour period.

A further difficulty with extended periods of time for creation lies in the interdependency of the natural world. Even a casual reading of the Genesis account demands a short creation span. Further, everything was created with apparent age. Trees were full grown and producing fruit. Animals were fully mature and producing offspring.   Exodus 20:11 gives emphasis to the twenty-four hour day.

The theological implications of simple faith in the Bible account of creation are profound.   “Some would dismiss this controversy as irrelevant and unimportant. They might even suggest that Genesis has no significant soteriological implications. This, however, is a gross underestimation of this material's importance. One only needs to examine the frequency of creative affirmations in both the Old and New Testaments to realize how important this subject is to biblical writers. God's power as well as His authority in human history are predicated upon His creative acts. “

The Reason for Creation While mankind is most certainly the recipient of God’s benevolence in so constructing the world as to sustain life and to provide considerable pleasure in the process, God’s reasons exceed the comfort of the creature. (Isai. 45:11-19 ) God has an eternal plan and purpose. The purpose of creation is the fulfillment of His greater purpose which is always His glory. (Psa. 8:1; 19:1; Hab. 3:e; Isa. 43:7; Rev. 5:11-13; 4:11)