Creation, The Foundation of a World(view)

The question of how the world came into existence is a foundational question that every worldview has to deal with. Everyone understands that we exist (although there are several religions that question our actual existence); however there are multitudes of theories on how we came to exist. One prominent view is that the world as we know it evolved over a period of millions of years. This recognizes that man came from matter that already existed, however it is unable to explain how that process took place. Ultimately there had to be some first cause, and the Bible teaches that this first cause was God.

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The Bible also teaches God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo). Before creation nothing existed except for God.

Hebrews 11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

“This creation of things from nothing speaks an infinite power. The distance between nothing and being hath been counted so great, that nothing but an Infinite Power can make sure distance meet together… . A greater distance cannot be imagined than that which is between nothing and something; that which hath no being and that which hath; and a greater power cannot be imagined than that which brings something out of nothing.” ~Stephen Charnock (Existence and Attributes of God, vol. 2, 38)

God not only created everything out of nothing, he literally spoke into existence all matter.

Psalm 33:8–9: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”

“A mere voice, coming from an Omnipotent will, was capable to produce such varieties, which angels and men have seen in all ages of the world, and this without weariness.”~Stephen Charnock (Existence and Attributes of God, vol. 2, 43)

Creation is distinct from the Creator, but all life continues to derive its existence from the essence of God.

Revelation 4:11: 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.

“It is, therefore, the same Power preserves things which at first created them. The creature doth as much depend upon God, in the first instant of its being, for its preservation, as it did when it was nothign, for its production and creation into being… .” ~Stephen Charnock (Existence and Attributes of God, vol. 2, 34)

God created the universe in six consecutive days, and then on the seventh day the Bible says that He rested. By doing this we see God not only displayed His power, but He also provided man with an enduring pattern by which to organize all of life.

The Bible teaches that God created the world out of nothing in six literal days. The question remains, why would God create anything at all? To answer this question we must turn to Scripture:

Isaiah 43:7: everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.Psalm 19:1-4: The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

God created universe to display His glory. In creation we see the glory of God’s power, sovereignty, and His matchless creative capacity. God’s creation proves that He is unique – He alone is God.

Romans 1:20: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

From the very beginning God also intended to make His glory known through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This can be seen in several different aspects of creation.

1. God’s seventh day creation rest is a symbol of the Sabbath rest which Christians will experience in Heaven.

Hebrews 4:4; 10-11: For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works…” For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

2. From the beginning God intended for marriage to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Ephesians 5:29-32: …for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

3. Before the world was even created God had not only planned to send Jesus as a savior, but He had also chosen those whom He would save.

Ephesians 1:4: …just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

These are just a few proofs that God’s unchanging eternal plan was to glorify himself by redeeming mankind by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The truth of creation provides the foundation of our Christian worldview and it forms the basis for how we are to live the Christian life:

• As men, we are creatures who should be humbled for the Creator in everything.

• As men, we are creatures who are dependent upon the Creator in everything.

• As men, we are creatures who are obligated to worship the Creator in everything.

• As men, we are creatures who are designed to serve the Creator in everything.