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Creation
Creation
I. Review & Introduction
I. Review & Introduction
Where did we come from?
Where did we come from?
Why are we here?
Why are we here?
Is there a purpose, a goal behind all that we see and experience? Or is life one big cosmic accident - directionless and purposeless?
Is there a purpose, a goal behind all that we see and experience? Or is life one big cosmic accident - directionless and purposeless?
These are straightforward questions, to which the Bible has straightforward answers.
These are straightforward questions, to which the Bible has straightforward answers.
Turn back with me to Gen 1.1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Turn back with me to Gen 1.1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 (KJV 1900)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said…, and God said…” (Gen 1.1ff)
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said…, and God said…” (Gen 1.1ff)
Genesis 1:1ff (KJV 1900)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
In the beginning, God created.
In the beginning, God created.
Creation owes itself not to chance and impersonal forces, but God.
Creation owes itself not to chance and impersonal forces, but God.
Origins, begin with him.
Origins, begin with him.
He created ex-nihilo, out of nothing. “In the beginning…,” not “when God began to create” as if there was this timeless matter, some cosmic play dough that God stumbled across one day and decided to refashion and shape.
He created ex-nihilo, out of nothing. “In the beginning…,” not “when God began to create” as if there was this timeless matter, some cosmic play dough that God stumbled across one day and decided to refashion and shape.
This was the Greek idea behind the cosmos.
This was the Greek idea behind the cosmos.
But according to the Bible, in the beginning, not matter, but God.
But according to the Bible, in the beginning, not matter, but God.
He’s eternal, self-existent.
He’s eternal, self-existent.
Everything else owes its existence to him.
Everything else owes its existence to him.
He created by his word.
He created by his word.
One of the constant refrains of Gen 1.1-2.3 is this, “and God said, and God said.”
One of the constant refrains of Gen 1.1-2.3 is this, “and God said, and God said.”
Genesis 1:1–2:3 (KJV 1900)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
The picture is not one of God toiling over his work.
The picture is not one of God toiling over his work.
It’s not a picture of trial and error, like some frustrated inventor burying his head in his hands.
It’s not a picture of trial and error, like some frustrated inventor burying his head in his hands.
His words are power (they create) and perfection (they create exactly what he intended them to create).
His words are power (they create) and perfection (they create exactly what he intended them to create).
He created all things.
He created all things.
That’s what Gen 1.1-2.3 is about.
That’s what Gen 1.1-2.3 is about.
Genesis 1:1–2:3 (KJV 1900)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
It’s the all-encompassing account of our origins - from stars and galaxies to the tiniest creatures that crawl upon the ground.
It’s the all-encompassing account of our origins - from stars and galaxies to the tiniest creatures that crawl upon the ground.
Gen 1.1-2.3 is the google-earth view of creation.
Gen 1.1-2.3 is the google-earth view of creation.
Genesis 1:1–2:3 (KJV 1900)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
The big picture.
The big picture.
And then in Genesis 2.4 ff, we go to google-street view. We zoom in on the creation of mankind and all that transpires.
And then in Genesis 2.4 ff, we go to google-street view. We zoom in on the creation of mankind and all that transpires.
Not two separate accounts, but complimentary accounts from different perspectives.
Not two separate accounts, but complimentary accounts from different perspectives.
We should remember that the chapter divisions and verse numbers were placed in the Bible until the 16th century.
We should remember that the chapter divisions and verse numbers were placed in the Bible until the 16th century.
Moses intends for the second chapter to be read closely with the first and for each chapter to be identified as part of the same event.
Moses intends for the second chapter to be read closely with the first and for each chapter to be identified as part of the same event.
The theological theme of humanity being created in the image of God is continued in chapter 2, and so the theme of the likeness between God and man finds further explanation.
The theological theme of humanity being created in the image of God is continued in chapter 2, and so the theme of the likeness between God and man finds further explanation.
Last we gave the 6 current and dominant views on creation and the advantages and disadvantages to each view.
Last we gave the 6 current and dominant views on creation and the advantages and disadvantages to each view.
And ultimately concluded with the understanding that the Bible doesn’t give us all of the details necessary to understand exactly the age of the earth.
And ultimately concluded with the understanding that the Bible doesn’t give us all of the details necessary to understand exactly the age of the earth.
What is important to God is that we understand who created the earth--God himself---and why he created it … for his glory, ultimately shown in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is important to God is that we understand who created the earth--God himself---and why he created it … for his glory, ultimately shown in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today: we take a step back and first ask, what is God’s relationship to the creation he has made?
Today: we take a step back and first ask, what is God’s relationship to the creation he has made?
How we understand that question makes all the distinction between Christianity and false religions.
How we understand that question makes all the distinction between Christianity and false religions.
And so first, we’re going to look at four view non-Christian views.
And so first, we’re going to look at four view non-Christian views.
Then we’ll look specifically at how the Bible describes God’s relationship to creation.
Then we’ll look specifically at how the Bible describes God’s relationship to creation.
And finally, we look at the crown jewel of creation – humankind.
And finally, we look at the crown jewel of creation – humankind.
God created male and female in his image to extend his kingly dominion over creation.
God created male and female in his image to extend his kingly dominion over creation.
What does that mean for us and who we are?
What does that mean for us and who we are?
I. Four Non-Christian Views of God and Creation
I. Four Non-Christian Views of God and Creation
There have been many philosophical worldviews put forth to explain God’s relationship with his creation.
There have been many philosophical worldviews put forth to explain God’s relationship with his creation.
The first view is an old view, that’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance.
The first view is an old view, that’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance.
1) Pantheism
1) Pantheism
(Stoics of first century, Buddhism, Eastern and New Age religions today) – teaches that God is everything (pan=all), and thus everything is God.
(Stoics of first century, Buddhism, Eastern and New Age religions today) – teaches that God is everything (pan=all), and thus everything is God.
Oprah Winfrey, in an interview says this about her definition of God, “My definition of God is the all...the all in the all, through the all, above the all, in the all.”
Oprah Winfrey, in an interview says this about her definition of God, “My definition of God is the all...the all in the all, through the all, above the all, in the all.”
Oprah Winfrey is a pantheist.
Oprah Winfrey is a pantheist.
So according to pantheism what we need to do then is “get in touch” with, “become one” with the divine “in here,” and the divine “out there.”
So according to pantheism what we need to do then is “get in touch” with, “become one” with the divine “in here,” and the divine “out there.”
God has no distinct personality.
God has no distinct personality.
He’s not immutable or unchanging, because the universe always changes.
He’s not immutable or unchanging, because the universe always changes.
God isn’t in any sense morally holy, because the evil in the universe is also a part of God.
God isn’t in any sense morally holy, because the evil in the universe is also a part of God.
One great challenge to Pantheism is that the divine exists as much in the most morally reprehensible acts as it does in beauty or delicious food.
One great challenge to Pantheism is that the divine exists as much in the most morally reprehensible acts as it does in beauty or delicious food.
Even more importantly, there’s no God on the outside who can break in and rescue us.
Even more importantly, there’s no God on the outside who can break in and rescue us.
There’s no hope of deliverance, only acceptance.
There’s no hope of deliverance, only acceptance.
This is why for many of the first century stoics, and many increasingly in the West, the only viable response is suicide.
This is why for many of the first century stoics, and many increasingly in the West, the only viable response is suicide.
2) Dualism –
2) Dualism –
Dualism is the idea that there are two ultimate forces in the universe, good and evil, sometimes presented as God and matter.
Dualism is the idea that there are two ultimate forces in the universe, good and evil, sometimes presented as God and matter.
Much of Platonic and Gnostic thought is dualistic.
Much of Platonic and Gnostic thought is dualistic.
An easy way to remember what dualism is, is to think of the word with it’s multiple spellings.
An easy way to remember what dualism is, is to think of the word with it’s multiple spellings.
Dual = 2; Good and Evil. Duel = A Battle.
Dual = 2; Good and Evil. Duel = A Battle.
Thus dualism is a battle b/w good and bad.
Thus dualism is a battle b/w good and bad.
And good and evil are in a long, protracted cosmic battle for supremacy.
And good and evil are in a long, protracted cosmic battle for supremacy.
This is the worldview underlying the Star Wars Series.
This is the worldview underlying the Star Wars Series.
There are the jedi lords, and the sith lords, dueling forces of good and evil.
There are the jedi lords, and the sith lords, dueling forces of good and evil.
In dualism the spirit is good, but the body is evil.
In dualism the spirit is good, but the body is evil.
The desire is to then escape the material realm for higher realm of forms (spiritual realm).
The desire is to then escape the material realm for higher realm of forms (spiritual realm).
But dualism denies God’s Lordship of creation and the goodness of the created world.
But dualism denies God’s Lordship of creation and the goodness of the created world.
In the new heavens and the new earth, we won’t be disembodied spirits, but souls with recreated and renewed bodies.
In the new heavens and the new earth, we won’t be disembodied spirits, but souls with recreated and renewed bodies.
3) Deism –
3) Deism –
Deism is the view that God is not presently involved in creation.
Deism is the view that God is not presently involved in creation.
He created it, but is now distant and removed from what He made.
He created it, but is now distant and removed from what He made.
So if you have any family, friends, or coworkers who are happy to affirm that there’s a god that created the world, but that he doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore, they’re essentially communicating a deistic worldview.
So if you have any family, friends, or coworkers who are happy to affirm that there’s a god that created the world, but that he doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore, they’re essentially communicating a deistic worldview.
In other words, God is the divine clockmaker who created the “clock of creation,” wound it up, and is now letting it run on its own.
In other words, God is the divine clockmaker who created the “clock of creation,” wound it up, and is now letting it run on its own.
This runs counter to Christianity because Christianity asserts that not only is God presently acting to sustain creation, but that’s also acted in creation throughout history, most notably in the Incarnation.
This runs counter to Christianity because Christianity asserts that not only is God presently acting to sustain creation, but that’s also acted in creation throughout history, most notably in the Incarnation.
4) Materialism(or naturalism).
4) Materialism(or naturalism).
The materialist view of the world is not one where it’s followers are looking to get rich and buy nice clothes.
The materialist view of the world is not one where it’s followers are looking to get rich and buy nice clothes.
Materialism is the view that the material universe is all there is.
Materialism is the view that the material universe is all there is.
Men like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are contemporary advocates of this view, as well as the late Christopher Hitchens, whose writings live on.
Men like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are contemporary advocates of this view, as well as the late Christopher Hitchens, whose writings live on.
Materialism also goes by a number of different names.
Materialism also goes by a number of different names.
So if someone calls himself a naturalist, a physicalist, or a philosophical naturalist, then they are a materialist.
So if someone calls himself a naturalist, a physicalist, or a philosophical naturalist, then they are a materialist.
Materialism says we live in a closed world.
Materialism says we live in a closed world.
No force from the outside, call it God or whatever you like, can enter in and disturb the physical world.
No force from the outside, call it God or whatever you like, can enter in and disturb the physical world.
Our lives are governed purely by impersonal laws operating over strictly natural phenomena.
Our lives are governed purely by impersonal laws operating over strictly natural phenomena.
Renown atheistic philosopher Bertrand Russel put it like this, “… man…, his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms. …
Renown atheistic philosopher Bertrand Russel put it like this, “… man…, his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms. …
all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins. …
all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins. …
only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” (Quoted in Driscoll and Breshears, Doctrine, pg. 105.
only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” (Quoted in Driscoll and Breshears, Doctrine, pg. 105.
Creation is not a gift given by a loving creator, but an “epic, purposeless accident.”
Creation is not a gift given by a loving creator, but an “epic, purposeless accident.”
You owe your own existence this morning to an epic, purposeless accident!
You owe your own existence this morning to an epic, purposeless accident!
Doesn’t that make you feel all rosy inside?
Doesn’t that make you feel all rosy inside?
Richard Dawkins was asked if such a view made him depressed.
Richard Dawkins was asked if such a view made him depressed.
He said, “no… but if somebody does, that’s their problem… The universe is bleak, cold and empty. But so what?”
He said, “no… but if somebody does, that’s their problem… The universe is bleak, cold and empty. But so what?”
If this created world is reduced to mere matter in motion, concepts like “good” and “evil” are merely human constructs.
If this created world is reduced to mere matter in motion, concepts like “good” and “evil” are merely human constructs.
But in the end, such a worldview is false, and eventually leads to nihilism - sense of meaninglessness and despair.
But in the end, such a worldview is false, and eventually leads to nihilism - sense of meaninglessness and despair.
We are forced to argue that the actions of rapists, serial killers, child predators are not really “wrong” in any objective sense.
We are forced to argue that the actions of rapists, serial killers, child predators are not really “wrong” in any objective sense.
In a materialist universe, actions are not moral or immoral.
In a materialist universe, actions are not moral or immoral.
They just are.
They just are.
If that’s all life is, then we might as well throw up our hands “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
If that’s all life is, then we might as well throw up our hands “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
These first four views run contrary to the Biblical account, for they either deny God’s superiority over his creation or they obliterate his relationship with it.
These first four views run contrary to the Biblical account, for they either deny God’s superiority over his creation or they obliterate his relationship with it.
II. God’s Relationship to Creation
II. God’s Relationship to Creation
God is distinct from creation; yet God is always involved in creation and creation is always dependent on God.
God is distinct from creation; yet God is always involved in creation and creation is always dependent on God.
As we have mentioned, creation isn’t self-created, and so it’s not self-sustaining.
As we have mentioned, creation isn’t self-created, and so it’s not self-sustaining.
The stability of mankind and the entire universe depends on God’s sustaining power.
The stability of mankind and the entire universe depends on God’s sustaining power.
Paul affirms mankind’s dependence on God when he says that God “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" and that “in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25, 28).
Paul affirms mankind’s dependence on God when he says that God “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" and that “in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25, 28).
Acts 17:25 (KJV 1900)
Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:28 (KJV 1900)
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Yet, the gospel tells of a God who is above all of the earth and is so concerned for his creation that he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to save it.
Yet, the gospel tells of a God who is above all of the earth and is so concerned for his creation that he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to save it.
And so the traditional way that Christians have spoken about God’s relationship to the world is in terms of his transcendence and his immanence...
And so the traditional way that Christians have spoken about God’s relationship to the world is in terms of his transcendence and his immanence...
1) Transcendence
1) Transcendence
When we speak of God’s transcendence, we are speaking of his kingship, majesty, and holiness.
When we speak of God’s transcendence, we are speaking of his kingship, majesty, and holiness.
God’s transcendence means that God is distinct from and sovereign over his creation.
God’s transcendence means that God is distinct from and sovereign over his creation.
So, he’s distinct from it.
So, he’s distinct from it.
He’s not part of it because he made it and rules over it.
He’s not part of it because he made it and rules over it.
Consider the following references to God’s transcendence…
Consider the following references to God’s transcendence…
Isaiah 55:8-9-
Isaiah 55:8-9-
Isaiah 55:8–9 (KJV 1900)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.
Psalm 113:5-6- ”
Psalm 113:5-6- ”
Psalm 113:5–6 (KJV 1900)
Who is like unto the Lord our God, Who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold The things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
John 8:23-
John 8:23-
John 8:23 (KJV 1900)
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Or picture the scene from Isaiah 6:1-5 where Isaiah see the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.
Or picture the scene from Isaiah 6:1-5 where Isaiah see the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.
Isaiah 6:1–5 (KJV 1900)
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
So the transcendence of God is best understood, not as a spatial concept, but as a reference to his kingship.
So the transcendence of God is best understood, not as a spatial concept, but as a reference to his kingship.
His transcendence means he is sovereign over his creatures
His transcendence means he is sovereign over his creatures
But, we don’t want to make the mistake of believing that God is so other that he doesn’t interact with creation, that would be to fall into deism.
But, we don’t want to make the mistake of believing that God is so other that he doesn’t interact with creation, that would be to fall into deism.
2) Scripture clearly teaches that not only is God transcendent, but he’s also immanent, or present.
2) Scripture clearly teaches that not only is God transcendent, but he’s also immanent, or present.
Immanence refers to his presence on earth, and especially to his nearness to his people. Consider the following passages:
Immanence refers to his presence on earth, and especially to his nearness to his people. Consider the following passages:
Deut. 4:39- Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below.
Deut. 4:39- Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Joshua 2:11- The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Joshua 2:11- The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Isaiah 57:15-
Isaiah 57:15-
Isaiah 57:15 (KJV 1900)
For thus saith the high and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Immanence then refers to God’s presence, in his creation and among his people.
Immanence then refers to God’s presence, in his creation and among his people.
Consider the implications of this in your life.
Consider the implications of this in your life.
We often think of Systematic Theology as dry or boring, but what could be more relevant, more exciting, more important for you than knowing that the holy and transcendent God of the universe who dwells in unapproachable light, also draws near to you.
We often think of Systematic Theology as dry or boring, but what could be more relevant, more exciting, more important for you than knowing that the holy and transcendent God of the universe who dwells in unapproachable light, also draws near to you.
(Psalm 145:18).
(Psalm 145:18).
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.
But God is also very much involved in creation.
But God is also very much involved in creation.
Creation is continually dependent on him for its existence and proper functioning.
Creation is continually dependent on him for its existence and proper functioning.
He’s immanent, meaning “remaining in” creation.
He’s immanent, meaning “remaining in” creation.
We see this in Hebrews 1:3 where Jesus is described as sustaining all things by the power of his word.
We see this in Hebrews 1:3 where Jesus is described as sustaining all things by the power of his word.
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV 1900)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
In the biblical worldview, heaven and earth aren’t one and the same (pantheism), or completely separated (deism/naturalism), but in some ways God interlocks (cf. NT Wright quoted in Doctrine) heaven with earth.
In the biblical worldview, heaven and earth aren’t one and the same (pantheism), or completely separated (deism/naturalism), but in some ways God interlocks (cf. NT Wright quoted in Doctrine) heaven with earth.
We see this in Jacob’s vision of a ladder coming down from heaven; in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night; in the tent of meeting which served as a portable meeting place between heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
We see this in Jacob’s vision of a ladder coming down from heaven; in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night; in the tent of meeting which served as a portable meeting place between heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Transcendence, and immanence.
Transcendence, and immanence.