When we look at the world around us—the towering mountains, the vast oceans, the intricate ecosystems, and the diversity of life—we cannot help but marvel at the beauty and complexity of creation. According to the Bible, creation is not a random occurrence or a mere accident of nature. Instead, it is the intentional work of a divine Creator who designed the universe with purpose, precision, and love.
In this post, we will explore the biblical doctrine of creation, which reveals God as the sovereign architect of the cosmos and highlights the uniqueness of humanity’s role within creation. As we dive into the scriptures, we will unpack the significance of creation, its theological implications, and how humanity is called to steward and care for God’s masterpiece.
The Biblical Account of Creation
1. “The Act of Creation: “In the Beginning…”
The Bible opens with a powerful statement:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
This opening verse of Scripture establishes God as the Creator of all things, both visible and invisible. It affirms that the universe had a definite beginning, and the creative power and will of God initiated that beginning. The doctrine of creation “ex nihilo” (creation out of nothing) is a foundational belief in Christian theology. It asserts that God did not fashion the world out of pre-existing matter but spoke everything into existence by the power of His word.
Due to various scientific hypotheses (which is a more appropriate label for the theory of evolution), some ‘believe’ the earth is millions of years old, we are not here to argue for or against a young earth but look closely at the text in Genesis 1:1-3, it did not say when God spoke, then the earth was made. The Bible accounts for the creation of life on earth and we will limit this discourse only to that premise.
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If you are interested in the scientific and theological evidence then head to this wonderful resource: Answers in Genesis. Just to spark your interest, the Bible speaks about Dinosaurs in the book of Job which is the oldest book of the Bible. Back to our topic.
The six days of creation, as recorded in Genesis 1, describe the systematic and orderly process by which God formed the universe:
Day 1: God created light, separating it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5)
Day 2: God separated the waters, forming the sky (Genesis 1:6-8)
Day 3: God gathered the waters, allowing dry land to appear, and created vegetation (Genesis 1:9-13)
Day 4: God created the sun, moon, and stars to govern day and night (Genesis 1:14-19)
Day 5: God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air (Genesis 1:20-23)
Day 6: God created land animals and, as the pinnacle of His creation, humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:24-27).
The culmination of creation occurs on the seventh day when God rested from His work, establishing the Sabbath as a day of rest and reflection (Genesis 2:2-3). As a matter of principle, you should observe a day of rest, it greatly recharges your life and productivity. Follow the God pattern.
2. The Goodness of Creation
One of the repeated refrains in the Genesis creation account is that God saw what He had made, and it was good (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). After the creation of humanity, God declared that everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This emphasis on the goodness of creation highlights that the physical world is not inherently evil or corrupt, as some ancient philosophies suggested, but is a reflection of God’s glory and goodness.
Creation, in its original state, was a harmonious and beautiful expression of God’s creativity and wisdom. The earth, the heavens, and all living things were designed to function in perfect balance and unity, each serving a specific purpose within God’s divine order.
3. The Creation of Humanity: Made in God’s Image
The creation of humanity is unique within the biblical narrative. On the sixth day, 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26).
Unlike the rest of creation, humanity is created in the image and likeness of God (“imago Dei”). This concept has profound theological implications and distinguishes humanity from the rest of the animal kingdom. Being made in God’s image means that human beings possess certain qualities that reflect God’s character, such as rationality, creativity, moral responsibility, and the capacity for relationships.
The imago Dei also confers upon humanity a special dignity and value. Every human being, regardless of race, gender, or social status, is endowed with inherent worth because they bear the image of their Creator.
Be careful how you treat others, every human being is an image of God
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4. Humanity’s Role in Creation
After creating humanity, God gave them a mandate, often referred to as the “Cultural Mandate” or the “Dominion Mandate”:
“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'” (Genesis 1:28).
This mandate outlines humanity’s role within creation: to be fruitful, to fill the earth, and to exercise dominion over the rest of creation. However, this dominion is not a license for exploitation or destruction. Rather, it is a call to stewardship. Humanity is entrusted with the care and cultivation of the earth, managing it in a way that reflects God’s own care for His creation.
In Genesis 2:15, Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it.” This suggests that humanity’s role is both to nurture and protect the natural world, ensuring its flourishing and sustainability.
The whole of creation is too complex to have come out of disorder. Entropy increases! There is an intelligent design in place, not randomness.
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Theological Reflections on Creation
1. Creation and the Revelation of God
Creation is not just a backdrop for human activity; it is a means by which God reveals Himself to humanity. The natural world serves as a testimony to God’s existence, power, and majesty. Psalm 19:1 declares:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Likewise, Paul writes in Romans 1:20:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Through the beauty, complexity, and order of creation, God communicates His greatness and invites humanity to know and worship Him. Creation, in this sense, serves as a form of general revelation—accessible to all people, regardless of culture or religion.
2. The Fall and Its Impact on Creation
While creation was originally “very good,” it did not remain in that state. The fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, introduced sin and brokenness into the world. As a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, the ground was cursed, and creation itself was subjected to frustration and decay (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 8:20-22).
The fall disrupted the harmony that once existed between humanity and the rest of creation. Instead of exercising dominion in a way that reflects God’s goodness and care, humanity often exploits and abuses the earth for selfish gain. The natural world suffers as a result of human sin, and the effects of the fall are evident in environmental degradation, natural disasters, and the suffering of living creatures.
3. Redemption and the Restoration of Creation
The good news of the Gospel is that God’s redemptive plan extends not only to humanity but to the entire created order. In Romans 8:19-21, Paul writes:
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
Christ’s work of redemption is cosmic in scope. Just as sin brought death and decay to creation, so Christ’s resurrection inaugurates the renewal of all things. The ultimate hope of creation is that it will be restored to its original goodness and glory when Christ returns to establish His kingdom in its fullness.
Revelation 21:1-5 describes the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and creation will be fully renewed and restored to its intended purpose.
God has a plan to bring humanity into a new and beautiful world. You have to trust Him and find out the details of this plan from the Bible.
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Which is easier: locating a destination with a plan in your hand or you’ve got no plan?
It is up to you to discover God’s plan. It’s your responsibility.
Humanity’s Role in Creation Today
1. Stewardship of the Environment
In light of the biblical mandate to care for creation, Christians are called to be responsible stewards of the environment. This means recognizing that the earth and its resources are gifts from God, entrusted to humanity for their proper use and care. Environmental stewardship involves:
a. Sustainable Practices: Ensuring that the use of natural resources is done in a way that preserves the environment for future generations. This includes reducing waste, conserving energy, and protecting ecosystems from destruction.
b. Conservation: Taking steps to protect endangered species, forests, wetlands, and other vital habitats. Conservation efforts reflect the biblical principle of preserving the goodness of creation.
c. Advocacy: Speaking out against environmental injustices, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and degrade God’s creation.
2. Creativity and Culture-Making
Humanity’s role in creation also involves creativity and culture-making. As image-bearers of a creative God, we are called to cultivate the earth and contribute to the flourishing of society. This can take many forms, such as:
a. Art and Music: Creating beauty through artistic expression that reflects God’s creativity and inspires worship. The materials produced should bring glory to God and not degrade humanity at any level.
b. Science and Technology: Advancing knowledge and developing technologies that improve human life while honoring God’s creation. In many ways, science confirms what the Bible says about God and His creation. Do your research.
c. Agriculture and Industry: Cultivating the land and producing goods in a way that benefits humanity while maintaining the health of the environment. Genesis 8:22 is worth noting. It speaks of seed time and harvest.
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,
winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.
In all of these endeavors, Christians are called to seek the common good and to use their gifts and talents in ways that honour God and bless others.
Conclusion
Creation is God’s masterpiece, a reflection of His glory, power, and wisdom. As humanity, we are uniquely created in God’s image and entrusted with the care of the earth. While sin has brought brokenness and decay to creation, God’s plan of redemption offers the hope of restoration and renewal.
As stewards of God’s creation, we have the responsibility to care for the environment, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to the flourishing of society. By fulfilling our role as God’s image-bearers, we participate in His ongoing work of creation and redemption.
Let us be mindful of our role in creation, seeking to honour God through our care for the earth and our contributions to culture and society. As we do so, we reflect the goodness and creativity of our Creator and anticipate the day when all things will be made new.
Thank you for reading. If you have any reflections on creation or questions about our role as stewards of the earth, feel free to share them in the comments below. Let’s continue to seek understanding and grow together in our faith and stewardship of God’s creation.
Next week, we will be taking a look at “The Fall: Sin and Its Consequences”. Have you ever wondered why a toddler lies without being taught how to lie? See you next week!