Alister E. McGrath Theology: The Basics Chapter 3 Creation …Creator of heaven and earth Alister E. McGrath Theology: The Basics

Creation in the Old Testament The imposition of order God’s victorious conflict over chaotic forces Nature is not divine

The concept of creation “out of nothing” Gnosticism The “demiurge” as inferior creator god The economy of salvation Creation ex nihilo Plato: preexistent matter Tertullian (ca. 155-230) Creation and dualism Fourth Lateran Council (1215)

Implications of the doctrine of creation Distinction between God and the creation A critical world-affirming spirituality God’s authority over the world Human stewardship The goodness of creation Doctrine of sin (the “fall”) Human beings in the image of God

Models of God as creator Emanation “light from light” Construction Ordering Artistic expression

Humanity and creation: the “image of God” The sovereignty of God Accountability to God Human correspondence to God Augustine: human reason John Polkinghorne: resonance Image and relationality C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Creation and natural theology Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225-74) Causality Likeness to God in the created order John Calvin (1509-64) “sense of divinity” / “seed of religion” Experience of and reflection on the ordering of the world Knowledge of God through revelation Emil Brunner (1889-1966) Human nature as “point of contact” for revelation Karl Barth (1886-1968), Nein! God’s sovereignty in revelation Orders of creation

Creation and creationism Young earth creationism Old earth creationism Intelligent Design Theistic evolution

Engaging with a text The Belgic Confession, 1561 “We know [God] in two manners. First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, which is before our eyes as a most beautiful book, in which all creatures, great and small, are like so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely, his eternal power and Godhead, as the Apostle Paul declares (Romans 1:20). All of these things are sufficient to convince humanity, and leave them without excuse. Second, he makes himself known more clearly and fully to us by his holy and divine Word; that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to his glory and our salvation.”