A Cornerstone Adult Learning Communities Class GOD AND CREATION © 2011 David W. Opderbeck Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution / Share-Alike

INTRODUCTION A bit of your story – why come to this class? A bit of my story – why teach this class?

INTRODUCTION Overview, goals, assumptions, and resources: tgdarkly.com/godincreation The Bible is God’s word. It is truthful and reliable. The Bible is incarnational. Its truth is given to us through human authors and cultures. Proper understanding of the Bible requires careful attention to context. Creation is orderly and intelligible. The scientific method has been very successful in helping us understand the universe. All truth is God’s truth. God expects and desires that will use our minds to explore and understand both His word and His world.

CREATION AND TRINITY What is God like? What is the doctrine of the Trinity, and why is it so important? “God is one in essence distinguished in three persons” God is relational in perfect fellowship and love God experiences no need or lack Creation therefore is pure gift

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE Gen. 1:1-2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE The “Spirit of God was... over the waters” – what does it mean for God to be “over” – transcendent – above – creation? God and creation are not the same thing Creation depends on God for its continuing existence (“contingent”) Creation belongs to God Nothing surprises God

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Ps. 113

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE The “Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” – what does it mean for God to be “hovering” – immanent – in – creation? God cares intimately about creation There is no place in creation where God is not God There is nothing in creation that is unknown to God God is never far from you

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. Ps. 104

GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE AND IMMANENCE I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, my soul. Praise the LORD. Ps. 104

GOD AND CREATION Photo credits: All photos Hubble Space Telescope,