Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byChristine Welch Modified over 9 years ago
1
Resources: Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem & A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel Akin CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
2
CREATION
3
Creation is a touchy issue with some Christians. Did God create everything directly? Did God use some evolutionary process to create everything? Was creation a literal six- 24hr days? CREATION
4
The God of the Bible created all that exists. Gen. 1:1- assumes the existence of God and that he created the world. This truth proves that He is the one True God. Jeremiah 10:12- “it is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. This is the context of proving the idols Israel worshipped were worthless and false. GENESIS ACCOUNT: THAT GOD CREATED
5
God created the universe out of nothing. ex nihilo- Latin; meaning “out of nothing.” John 1:3- All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Everything we see came into existence from nothing previous. All originated from God. CREATION
6
How Did God Create? “and God said” He spoke the world into existence. Nelson (Akin, 244)- “In its simplicity this recurring statement reminds the reader of the immense power of the creator.” GENESIS ACCOUNT: HOW GOD CREATED
7
What did God create? A world that He identifies as good. It is ordered and purposeful. Day One- Distinction between Day and Night. Days Two and Three- boundaries for water, allows for dry ground to appear and vegetation to grow. Day Four- How the lights of heaven are to function, governing time. Day Five- Creation made in order of their kind. In the beginning causes one to reflect on the concept of an end. Draws us to think eschatologically (end times) and to contemplate God’s goal for His creation. Called “good” shows the creation is serving its intended purpose. GENESIS ACCOUNT: WHAT GOD CREATED
8
Why did God create? We know he does not need us or anything he has created. So why create then? It is to show his glory. Isaiah 43:7: whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Psalm 19:1-2:The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. To bless humanity. Genesis 1:22,28- “And God blessed them…” GENESIS ACCOUNT: WHY DID GOD CREATE
9
What does creation say about God? It shows his power, wisdom and creativity. God, however, did not need to create the universe to bring himself glory. He already had glory amongst the Trinity. Creation was a free act of God He created merely to delight in his creation. Explains why we take delight in created things. We appreciate creativity and beauty because we are made like God and he appreciates these things. CREATION: WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT GOD?
10
“ When all the facts are rightly understood, there will be “no final conflict” between Scripture and natural science.” This will probably not happen until we are with Jesus. However this allows the possibilities of disagreements on creation in some areas. Did God create a “grown up” universe? Is there a break in creation after Genesis 1:1? Did the Flood altered the geological data? Was it an actual 24/7 day period of time? CREATION VS. THEORETICAL SCIENCE
11
Some theories are in complete conflict with Scripture. Theistic Evolution- living organisms came about by the process of evolution Darwin proposed but that God guided that process so that the result was just what he wanted it to be. Goes against Scripture in that it goes against the purposefulness of creation and God. This creates randomness and no structure. Randomness then has the power God has. It creates, changes, and develops creation. Also to allow God to partake in any creating would establish intelligent design not randomness, fundamental to evolution. CREATION VS. THEORETICAL SCIENCE
12
Christians and Non-Christians alike have argued against evolution. Some reasons why: After 100 years of testing variations of species is very limited. Even with intentional breeding. The complex changes to make something, like the eye, can not happen in stages. This is because the organ is useless until fully realized. No real fossil evidence has been found to link a change of similar species from each other. No “intermediate type” Biology has shown the complexity of even simple organisms. The likelihood of random organisms is small to nil. Highest difficult is explaining how life could happen in the first place. CREATION VS. THEORY OF EVOLUTION
13
Dignity of Human Life “Leads to a deep appreciation for the value of all human life since all humans are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26- 27; 9:6).” Thus, murder must be rejected. Which includes abortion and euthanasia. Rejects hatred of one’s fellow man. Major factor in racism. “The biblical teaching of common descent and unity of the race indicates that the term “racism” is itself a misnomer. There is one race of men and whatever “ethnicism” develops due to sin and corruption is abolished in the reconciling work of Christ.” (Akin, 264) Respect of Other Life and the Environment Humanity has been given stewardship over creation and God cares for His creation. IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCTRINE TODAY FOR THE CHURCH
14
Why a proper understanding of creation is needed. Allows us to see that material creation is good because God made it good. Helps to appreciate God’s power and wisdom creating the universe. Creation reminds us that God is sovereign (he controls it all fully) Creation also allows us to enjoy creativity of our God, each other, and our own creativity. CREATION
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.