What is Creation?

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God created all things. But what should we know about that creation?

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What is Creation?

Where did the universe come from? And what is its purpose? Should we think of the creation as good or as evil?

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Nothing existed except God before the universe was created.

Colossians 1:16 ESV
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
John 1:3 ESV
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

God spoke all creation into existence. Except what?

Genesis 2:7 ESV
then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Genesis 2:22 ESV
And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Man is created by God’s hand in God’s image.

To be in God’s image means to be like God and to represent God.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Scientific theories that do not see God as the Creator fail to give us the dignity that is given by the biblical account.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
In the book, Grudem makes the point that science has proved beneficial as well though through correcting misunderstandings.

What are some corrections to misunderstandings that science has provided?

The Bible is clear: God created the earth and all that is in and on it from nothing. He created man from the dust of the world he created. Before creation, nothing existed but God. Therefore, nothing but God is eternal. Nothing but God can ultimately rule over that which he made. Therefore, nothing but God is worthy of our worship. Because we are special products of God’s creation, this fact should create great humility in us. In addition, because God created the universe from nothing, and because he didn’t need to create it, he must have created it for some purpose. Because we are special products of God’s creation, this should give us great dignity.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

As Creator, God is distinct from his creation.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Acts 17:25–29 ESV
nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
Psalm 46:1 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

All of creation was made to give glory to God.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Psalm 19:1 ESV
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Isaiah 43:7 ESV
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Revelation 4:11 ESV
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

God’s creation shows his superior power and wisdom.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Jeremiah 10:12 ESV
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.
Even a brief reflection on the complexity, diversity, and beauty in creation should cause us to praise God for his power, wisdom, and understanding.
Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

God’s creation is good.

Genesis 1:31 ESV
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Questions for Review and Application

1. In what ways do God’s acts of creation give us great humility? How do they give us great dignity?

2. List some of the ways the earth, the animals, and you yourself can give glory to God the Creator.

3. What does God think about all of his creation? How did his view of the creation change after Adam and Eve sinned? How is God’s view of all his creation different from your view of specific aspects of his creation?

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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