How Does the Bible Define "Creation"?
The concept of "creation" is a foundational theme throughout the Bible, shaping our understanding of both the natural world and God's plan for humanity. The Hebrew word "bara," meaning "to create," and its Greek counterpart "ktisis" are typically used in the Bible to describe the origin or beginning of things, particularly God's act of creating the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 introduces this idea clearly: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse establishes that Jehovah is the sovereign Creator of all things, the One who spoke the universe into existence by His power.
While the act of creation is often understood in terms of the physical world—the earth, sky, seas, and living creatures—its significance extends beyond mere physical existence. Jehovah’s creative work reveals His power, wisdom, and purpose, as is expressed in Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Thus, creation serves not only as a physical reality but also as a testament to God's eternal nature and His relationship with the world He made.
Creation is not a process that involves randomness or uncertainty; rather, it is an intentional act by a God who has a specific design and purpose. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes Jehovah’s role as Creator in Isaiah 45:18, saying, "For thus says Jehovah, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it... he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited." This verse underscores that God's creative act was purposeful, aligning with His intent for the earth to be filled with life and to serve as a place for humanity to dwell.
Is God Finished with His Creative Work?
Genesis 2:2 states, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." This verse affirms that God's initial act of creation was completed after six days, and He rested, indicating the completion of His creative activity. Yet, while the physical creation of the world was finished, Scripture indicates that God's work within creation is ongoing.
Jesus' statement in John 5:17 adds clarity to this point: "But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working.'" This reveals that, although the initial work of creating the universe was completed, God's involvement in sustaining and guiding His creation continues. Colossians 1:17 supports this ongoing relationship between God and His creation: "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." God not only brought the universe into being but also continues to uphold it, ensuring that it remains in operation according to His divine will.
Thus, Jehovah’s creative work is dynamic. While the original creative acts described in Genesis have been completed, His presence continues to be active in the world. Hebrews 1:3 further elaborates on this, declaring that Christ "upholds the universe by the word of his power." God’s creative work involves both the initial formation of the cosmos and its continuous sustenance.
What Does Creation Reveal About God's Character?
The act of creation reveals several essential attributes of Jehovah. First and foremost, creation demonstrates His omnipotence. The sheer magnitude of creating the universe from nothing (ex nihilo) shows God’s unlimited power. Psalm 33:6 reflects this truth: "By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host." The fact that God can create with merely a word shows His sovereign power and authority over all things.
Second, creation highlights Jehovah’s wisdom and order. The intricate design of the universe—whether seen in the stars in the heavens or the smallest details of life on earth—shows God’s perfect wisdom. Proverbs 3:19 states, "Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding, he established the heavens." The complexity and precision of the created order bear witness to a God who is infinitely wise and whose knowledge surpasses human understanding.
Third, creation reflects God’s goodness and love. In Genesis 1:31, we read, "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." This declaration emphasizes the goodness of God’s creation. Everything that God made was perfect, without flaw, and designed to bring joy and sustain life. This also reflects God’s love for humanity, as He created the world to be inhabited by people, ensuring that the earth would provide for their needs (Isaiah 45:18). Jehovah’s creative work reveals not only His power and wisdom but also His desire for humanity to thrive in a world that reflects His goodness.
How Does Creation Relate to the Origins of Humanity?
The Bible clearly presents humanity as the pinnacle of God’s creative work. Genesis 1:26 records God’s intent: "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" This statement marks a significant distinction between human beings and the rest of creation. Humans are unique in that they are made in the image of God, endowed with the capacity for reason, morality, and relationships that mirror God’s own nature.
The creation of humanity in God’s image carries profound implications. First, it establishes human dignity. Every person, regardless of background, is valuable because they bear the image of their Creator. This is reinforced in Genesis 9:6, which states, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." This passage underscores the sanctity of human life, as it reflects the divine image.
Second, the creation account also reveals humanity’s purpose. Genesis 1:28 explains, "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" Humanity’s purpose is to reflect God’s image by exercising stewardship over the earth. This dominion is not to be understood as exploitative but as caring and managing creation as God’s representatives, ensuring its flourishing.
Moreover, the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 provides deeper insight into God’s plan for humanity. Genesis 2:7 tells us that "Jehovah 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." This personal and intimate act of creating man shows that humanity is not merely a product of nature but a direct creation of God, filled with His breath and life.
What is the Relationship Between Creation and the Fall of Man?
Although Jehovah created the world perfect and declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31), the fall of man disrupted this harmony. Genesis 3 recounts the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, leading to their spiritual death and separation from God. Romans 5:12 confirms the consequences of this act: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned."
The fall introduced sin into the world, corrupting both humanity and creation. Romans 8:20-22 describes the effects of sin on creation: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Sin has marred the original perfection of creation, leading to suffering, decay, and death. Yet, even in the midst of the fall, God's plan for redemption remains evident.
The promise of redemption is first given in Genesis 3:15, where God declares to the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." This verse, often referred to as the "Protoevangelium," foreshadows the coming of Christ, who would ultimately defeat sin and restore creation.
How Does Creation Point to Christ?
While the fall brought sin and death into the world, God’s plan of redemption centers on Christ, who is both Creator and Redeemer. Colossians 1:16-17 declares, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This passage reveals that Christ is not only the agent of creation but also the one who sustains it. Christ’s role in creation highlights His divine nature and sovereignty, as well as His power to bring about the restoration of all things.
The connection between creation and redemption is further emphasized in John 1:1-3, which states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." Here, Christ is identified as the eternal Word, through whom all things were created. This underscores the truth that the same Christ who created the world is the one who came into the world to redeem it.
The redemptive work of Christ is central to God’s plan for creation. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ has made a way for both humanity and creation to be restored. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." The redemption that Christ offers is not only personal but also cosmic in scope, as He will one day restore all of creation to its original perfection.
What is the Ultimate Purpose of Creation?
The ultimate purpose of creation is to glorify Jehovah and to fulfill His plan for humanity. Revelation 4:11 encapsulates this truth: "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." The universe exists by God’s will and for His glory, and this is the ultimate purpose of all creation.
Humanity’s role in this purpose is to glorify God by reflecting His image and living in relationship with Him. In Isaiah 43:7, Jehovah declares, "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Humanity’s purpose, therefore, is rooted in the glory of God. This purpose is fully realized in Christ, who restores the broken relationship between humanity and God, allowing believers to live in fellowship with their Creator.
Furthermore, the restoration of creation is part of God’s ultimate plan. Revelation 21:1-5 speaks of the new heavens and the new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death, mourning, or pain. This renewed creation will be free from the curse of sin and will reflect the glory of God in its fullness.
What Does Creation Teach Us About Our Relationship with God?
The doctrine of creation teaches that humanity is deeply connected to its Creator. As beings made in the image of God, humans are called to live in dependence on Him and to reflect His character in the world. Acts 17:28 captures this dependence: "In him we live and move and have our being." Our very existence is sustained by God, and we are called to live in acknowledgment of this reality.
Moreover, creation reminds us of God’s sovereignty and His rightful place as Lord over all. Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is Jehovah's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." This acknowledgment of God’s ownership of all things calls for humility and worship. As creatures, we are not autonomous; we belong to God and are accountable to Him.
Finally, creation points us toward hope. Despite the brokenness of the world due to sin, creation serves as a reminder that God is not finished with His work. He is actively working to restore both humanity and the world through Christ. Romans 8:19-21 speaks of this hope: "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God... in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption." The future restoration of creation is guaranteed by the redemptive work of Christ, and this gives believers hope in the midst of a fallen world.
Conclusion
The biblical doctrine of creation reveals God's power, wisdom, and goodness, while also pointing toward His ongoing involvement in the world. Though the initial act of creation is complete, God's work in sustaining and redeeming creation continues. Humanity, as the pinnacle of God's creation, is made in His image and is called to reflect His glory. Through Christ, both humanity and creation are being restored, fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose of bringing glory to Himself through all that He has made.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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