CREATION—Genesis Chapter 1

The idea of the universe being the result of a Divine origin is not of itself Judeo-Christian.  The definition of creation being a work of the God of Scripture is distinctly religious  and owes its content to Biblical revelation.

Creation as it is in Genesis 1:1ff is a statement of the eternity of God first and the origin of all things secondly.  The creation of Genesis 1:1ff follows on the power and priority of God.

Before time, before space, before any process and before any created thought—God is.  Once that is understood and believed then the universe can be investigated and its lessons learned.

But one says, “I do not believe in God and I do not believe in a created universe.”  Yes, you are exactly right, the creation of the worlds is a faith concept. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  In the same way as God is known only by faith. Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  What your unbelief has done is encourage your ignorance of the single most important truth in the universe, “God is.”

There is a truth which follows immediately on the truth that “God is.”, “God is Spirit.”  This requires an act of God for His own recognition and purpose.  He must reveal Himself.

From the first words of Scripture through the last there is in it an absolute disclaimer.  God is not material.  He is Spirit. Having stated this then, it becomes imperative to determine if God has revealed Himself and to what extent He is revealed.

It is stated in Scripture that they reveal God. Deut. 8:3  So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.  The Westminster Catechism so aptly reminds us that the Scriptures are ours so that we may know God and know how to serve Him.  Jesus sums up all the Law and Prophets who were before Him had to say.  It is in Him that the final, perfect, and complete revelation of God comes to His people. John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Paul, in Colossians 1:16 points us to Christ as the creator of all things and follows this in Colossians 1:17, giving Him the prerogative of being the infinite sustainer. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

There is a secret to believing Creation in the Scriptures.  It is believing the Gospel.  The Gospel is the revelation of the Son of God as the risen Redeemer.  The Triune God has chosen to reveal Himself in the Son; miss the Son and miss God; miss God in the Son and Creation is religious foolishness to be dismissed at will.  Millions perish for less.

2/12/26

A MESSAGE TO FRIENDS

I recently had a serious illness with a radical medical treatment.  Life is about change.  The whole experience will mean a great deal of change for me.  What I eat and what I drink has more serious consequences than what I considered before.  I accept the changes as part and parcel of God’s providence and have no complaint.

That said, as I considered writing again, the question was where to start.  This has caused me to examine my approach to Scripture.  Beyond my unyielding commitment to context, what else matters?  As I thought about this I came across some writing from the past in the fly-leaf of a favorite reference book.  I have decided the thoughts there will be my starting place.  These are personal hermeneutical principles and I cannot tell you where I got them.  But I can guarantee you they are not original.  Again, let me say I doubt if I ever have an original thought.  Here I come—ready or not.

1.       Any Biblical fact is to be understood in the context in which it is written.

2.      No Biblical fact should be forced to an understanding of a later revealed truth.

3.      No fact will contradict the context of the author.

4.      No fact will contradict the unity of Biblical Revelation.

5.      Doctrine is important in the order of it’s revelation, ie First is creation.  Nothing is more important than Biblical Creation and the truths it represents.

a.       The most basic relationship of the Mediator to the world is creator, John 1:1-2.

b.      The most basic relationship of man to God is creature to his Creator, Ps. 100:3.

c.       The sin of man is rebellion of the creature against the Creator, Eccles. 7:29.

d.      Salvation is a restoration of man to a right relationship with the Creator,

Heb. 12:22-24.

6.      The unifying theme and dominant principle of Revelation is the Kingdom of God and the relationship of this world to Him as His kingdom, Ps. 9:4, 7-8; 10:16; 22:27-29 and many others.

7.      Revelation consistently describes Kingdom citizens as rebels, false servants, and true servants with the false and true indistinguishable to human understanding, Matt. 24-30.

8.      There are some whom God favors and some whom he disfavors, Gen. 4:2-12;

Rom. 9:13, 18.

9.      Revelation presents mercy and justice as non-contradictory, Ps. 111:1-10.

10.  Revelation presents redemption as an act of Kingship or sovereignty, Gen. 3:15;

Matt. 25:31-46.

I would have it plainly understood I do not believe anyone can do justice to the truth of Scripture beginning with man and looking up.  The Bible presents every truth from God’s perspective, and until the reader sees that view of truth, it will at the best be severely distorted.

My best to you and yours.

Bill