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Topic2Overview.pdf

CWV-101-301 Topic 2 Overview

Creation (God-Centered God; God-Centered Universe)

Introduction

This topic begins our journey of looking at why Christians have the core worldview beliefs that they do by going through the four major acts of the Bible. The first act of the Bible is creation, so we begin there. What one believes about the origins of the universe, life, and humanity affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs. However, in Topic 2, we will focus on ultimate reality, human nature, and human purpose.

For atheists, the universe (consisting of all matter and energy) has existed in some form or another for eternity. For the pantheist, the universe and god are one and the same, an impersonal force that just is. For theists whose ultimate reality is an eternal Spirit who exists apart from the universe, God is responsible for creating all there is, and there is a spiritual dimension that is beyond the natural realm.

Our focus in this topic will be on the Christian view of the origin of all there is: creation. Creation is the first of four biblical acts, the others being the fall, redemption, and restoration.

As Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). For the Christian, this verse accents that God is not only ultimate reality, but is the very essence of wisdom and understanding. Paul was compelled to write, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Rom. 11:33). So the origin of all there is began with God—and began with great wisdom.

The Nature of God: Sovereign Creator

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 1:1). God the Creator existed before his creation and, therefore, is sovereign, having supreme authority and absolute power over all things. By this act of creation, ultimate reality for Christians is further defined. God, the sovereign Creator spoke the word, and by his will all things were created. Logically from this, some important traits of God are seen.

God has many characteristics or attributes. Some of God's attributes are reflected to some extent in humanity, his highest creation, though perfected in him. These would include love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, compassion, justice, and holiness (Exod. 34:6; Isa. 6:3). Some of these are also referred to as fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22– 23. Other attributes reveal God's transcendence, that he is eternal (Ps. 90:2), infinite (1

Kings 8:27), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7–12), omnipotent (Gen. 17:1), omniscient (Ps. 139:1– 6), immutable (Ps. 102:25–27), and incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3).

God, in the Christian view, is best described as the Trinity, or Godhead: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man), and God the Holy Spirit. God is one being in three persons, each of the same substance and the same will. Importantly, in Christianity, the Father is not and does not become the Son, and the Son is not and does not become the Holy Spirit and vice versa. God is one being existing eternally as three persons. As is pointed out in The Beginning of Wisdom, all three persons were involved in the creation (Diffey, 2020, para. 11–12; see Gen. 1:2; John 1:3; Col. 1:16–17; Heb. 1:2).

The Nature of Creation: God's Good Work

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. This is true of the Christian view of creation as well. One area that the Christian understanding of creation affects is the nature of knowledge. The Creator can also be known through his creation. God has revealed himself both through special revelation as well as general revelation. Special revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through spiritual means such as through the life of Jesus Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and revealing himself through the inspiration of the Bible. General revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through natural means such as through philosophy, reasoning, and the study of history. Since general revelation includes creation, the physical sciences are viewed in the Christian worldview as an element of knowing God. The Christian worldview sees science, history, sociology, and other disciplines as ways to better understand God and his creation and does not see a divide between science and the sacred.

Genesis 1 gives a broad overview of the account of creation, then Genesis 2 zooms in on the end of day six and the creation of humanity to reveal more detail. It is clear from the creation account of Genesis 1–2 that God was orderly in his creation as he spoke everything into existence. And the result was that everything was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). The only "not good" came when God pronounced that "it is not good that the man should be alone" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 2:18 ), and so Adam and Eve were created.

Christians hold different opinions on how God accomplished his work of creation. They agree that God created the world and everything that exists in the universe (Gen. 1–2) by an act of his will and command (Ps. 33:6), from nothing (Heb. 11:3), for his glory (Rev. 4:11), with great wisdom (Ps. 104:24) through Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16). Christians agree that God's creation clearly shows his design and reveals his character (Rom. 1:20). And Christians agree that God's days of creation and rest were given as a pattern for our own days of work and rest (Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:9–11).

So although there is much agreement about the creation story, Christians disagree on exactly how God may have brought it about. There are three major approaches to

Genesis 1–2, and many sub-views within these three, but for the purposes here, we will only look at the three major views.

Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism holds that the universe, including all of life, was created by God in six 24-hour days. Young Earth Creationists often point to Adam being created with age—being a 1-minute old adult—and conclude that the Earth, too, was created with age. This view believes that the Earth is 6,000–10,000 years old.

Old Earth Creationism

Old Earth Creationism holds that the biblical account of creation was an extended historical event. Some Old Earth Creationists view each day as an epoch that lasted a very long period of time. Other Old Earth Creationists see long periods of time between the creation days. Because of this, they agree with the findings of mainstream science that the universe and earth are billions of years old, and that life appeared in stages as God gave the commands.

Evolutionary Creationism

Evolutionary Creationism is also known as theistic evolution. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the mechanism of evolution and guided evolution as a means to his creation. Evolutionary creationists, therefore, believe that the earth is billions of years old and that life evolved empowered and directed by God.

The Nature of Humanity: Divine Image Bearers

One of the most powerful concepts of the Christian worldview is the truth revealed in Genesis 1:26–27 that humanity was created in the image of God. In Christianity, this does not mean that God has fingers and toes, but rather that like God, humans are reasoning, creative, moral, and spiritual beings. All humans were created with both an immaterial soul and a physical body. This becomes even clearer in the New Testament that one day we will be resurrected to new glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42–53).

The image of God indicates that humans have remnants of his character within us and may include the following:

• Capability to love (even those who seem unlovable)

• Capability to create for purpose or simply for beauty

• Ability to reason on a very high level

• Ability to explore the universe

• Capability to communicate with our Creator and to consciously worship him

• Ability to sacrifice for others

• Ability to be fair (a sense of justice)

• Innate ability to sense right and wrong (a sense of morality)

Being created in the image of God also means that every human has intrinsic value, regardless of age, skill, appearance, or ability. Human value, in the Christian worldview, is tied to the dignity and value of being created in the image of God. This is true for all people, regardless of one's worldview or religion or whether one believes in God or not.

As God's image bearers, humans also have a creational purpose. We were created for meaningful work (Gen. 1:15, 26 ), for marriage and family (Gen 2:24, 1:28), and for relationship with God. As God's image bearers, we were designed to be God's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). Importantly, while marriage and family are part of God's purpose for humanity, individual people can certainly live a rewarding and full life as single or without having children. The Apostle Paul was single and had no natural children. In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, he provided many positive aspects of the single life.

Importantly, as we will see in Topic 3, humans have fallen from their ideal. Yet, the human value, dignity, and purpose we see here remains. Our creational purposes need to be restored through Christ—to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29)—a process sometimes called sanctification, that takes a lifetime. The body is referred to in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we are to be purified, being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2).

Conclusion

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. From the account of creation in the first act of the Bible, we can see several elements of the Christian worldview. God, because he is the Creator, is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Each member of the Trinity was active in creation. Humanity is created in the image of God, which not only describes humanity, but also reveals the intrinsic value and dignity of humanity. Humanity was created to love as God loves, to commune with him as he does with us, and to work as he works. Thus, humanity from the beginning was engaged in good work and given responsibility and authority over other creatures, to care for them, and to expand God's kingdom under his sovereign rule.

Reference

Diffey, D. (2020). Wisdom in the beginning. In D. Diffey & R. Holland (Eds.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (5th ed.). Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/?query=1000000000071#/view/books/1000000000607/

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy (Original work published 2001)

Topic2Overview.pdf

CWV-101-301 Topic 2 Overview

Creation (God-Centered God; God-Centered Universe)

Introduction

This topic begins our journey of looking at why Christians have the core worldview beliefs that they do by going through the four major acts of the Bible. The first act of the Bible is creation, so we begin there. What one believes about the origins of the universe, life, and humanity affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs. However, in Topic 2, we will focus on ultimate reality, human nature, and human purpose.

For atheists, the universe (consisting of all matter and energy) has existed in some form or another for eternity. For the pantheist, the universe and god are one and the same, an impersonal force that just is. For theists whose ultimate reality is an eternal Spirit who exists apart from the universe, God is responsible for creating all there is, and there is a spiritual dimension that is beyond the natural realm.

Our focus in this topic will be on the Christian view of the origin of all there is: creation. Creation is the first of four biblical acts, the others being the fall, redemption, and restoration.

As Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). For the Christian, this verse accents that God is not only ultimate reality, but is the very essence of wisdom and understanding. Paul was compelled to write, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Rom. 11:33). So the origin of all there is began with God—and began with great wisdom.

The Nature of God: Sovereign Creator

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 1:1). God the Creator existed before his creation and, therefore, is sovereign, having supreme authority and absolute power over all things. By this act of creation, ultimate reality for Christians is further defined. God, the sovereign Creator spoke the word, and by his will all things were created. Logically from this, some important traits of God are seen.

God has many characteristics or attributes. Some of God's attributes are reflected to some extent in humanity, his highest creation, though perfected in him. These would include love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, compassion, justice, and holiness (Exod. 34:6; Isa. 6:3). Some of these are also referred to as fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22– 23. Other attributes reveal God's transcendence, that he is eternal (Ps. 90:2), infinite (1

Kings 8:27), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7–12), omnipotent (Gen. 17:1), omniscient (Ps. 139:1– 6), immutable (Ps. 102:25–27), and incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3).

God, in the Christian view, is best described as the Trinity, or Godhead: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man), and God the Holy Spirit. God is one being in three persons, each of the same substance and the same will. Importantly, in Christianity, the Father is not and does not become the Son, and the Son is not and does not become the Holy Spirit and vice versa. God is one being existing eternally as three persons. As is pointed out in The Beginning of Wisdom, all three persons were involved in the creation (Diffey, 2020, para. 11–12; see Gen. 1:2; John 1:3; Col. 1:16–17; Heb. 1:2).

The Nature of Creation: God's Good Work

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. This is true of the Christian view of creation as well. One area that the Christian understanding of creation affects is the nature of knowledge. The Creator can also be known through his creation. God has revealed himself both through special revelation as well as general revelation. Special revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through spiritual means such as through the life of Jesus Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and revealing himself through the inspiration of the Bible. General revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through natural means such as through philosophy, reasoning, and the study of history. Since general revelation includes creation, the physical sciences are viewed in the Christian worldview as an element of knowing God. The Christian worldview sees science, history, sociology, and other disciplines as ways to better understand God and his creation and does not see a divide between science and the sacred.

Genesis 1 gives a broad overview of the account of creation, then Genesis 2 zooms in on the end of day six and the creation of humanity to reveal more detail. It is clear from the creation account of Genesis 1–2 that God was orderly in his creation as he spoke everything into existence. And the result was that everything was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). The only "not good" came when God pronounced that "it is not good that the man should be alone" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 2:18 ), and so Adam and Eve were created.

Christians hold different opinions on how God accomplished his work of creation. They agree that God created the world and everything that exists in the universe (Gen. 1–2) by an act of his will and command (Ps. 33:6), from nothing (Heb. 11:3), for his glory (Rev. 4:11), with great wisdom (Ps. 104:24) through Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16). Christians agree that God's creation clearly shows his design and reveals his character (Rom. 1:20). And Christians agree that God's days of creation and rest were given as a pattern for our own days of work and rest (Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:9–11).

So although there is much agreement about the creation story, Christians disagree on exactly how God may have brought it about. There are three major approaches to

Genesis 1–2, and many sub-views within these three, but for the purposes here, we will only look at the three major views.

Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism holds that the universe, including all of life, was created by God in six 24-hour days. Young Earth Creationists often point to Adam being created with age—being a 1-minute old adult—and conclude that the Earth, too, was created with age. This view believes that the Earth is 6,000–10,000 years old.

Old Earth Creationism

Old Earth Creationism holds that the biblical account of creation was an extended historical event. Some Old Earth Creationists view each day as an epoch that lasted a very long period of time. Other Old Earth Creationists see long periods of time between the creation days. Because of this, they agree with the findings of mainstream science that the universe and earth are billions of years old, and that life appeared in stages as God gave the commands.

Evolutionary Creationism

Evolutionary Creationism is also known as theistic evolution. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the mechanism of evolution and guided evolution as a means to his creation. Evolutionary creationists, therefore, believe that the earth is billions of years old and that life evolved empowered and directed by God.

The Nature of Humanity: Divine Image Bearers

One of the most powerful concepts of the Christian worldview is the truth revealed in Genesis 1:26–27 that humanity was created in the image of God. In Christianity, this does not mean that God has fingers and toes, but rather that like God, humans are reasoning, creative, moral, and spiritual beings. All humans were created with both an immaterial soul and a physical body. This becomes even clearer in the New Testament that one day we will be resurrected to new glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42–53).

The image of God indicates that humans have remnants of his character within us and may include the following:

• Capability to love (even those who seem unlovable)

• Capability to create for purpose or simply for beauty

• Ability to reason on a very high level

• Ability to explore the universe

• Capability to communicate with our Creator and to consciously worship him

• Ability to sacrifice for others

• Ability to be fair (a sense of justice)

• Innate ability to sense right and wrong (a sense of morality)

Being created in the image of God also means that every human has intrinsic value, regardless of age, skill, appearance, or ability. Human value, in the Christian worldview, is tied to the dignity and value of being created in the image of God. This is true for all people, regardless of one's worldview or religion or whether one believes in God or not.

As God's image bearers, humans also have a creational purpose. We were created for meaningful work (Gen. 1:15, 26 ), for marriage and family (Gen 2:24, 1:28), and for relationship with God. As God's image bearers, we were designed to be God's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). Importantly, while marriage and family are part of God's purpose for humanity, individual people can certainly live a rewarding and full life as single or without having children. The Apostle Paul was single and had no natural children. In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, he provided many positive aspects of the single life.

Importantly, as we will see in Topic 3, humans have fallen from their ideal. Yet, the human value, dignity, and purpose we see here remains. Our creational purposes need to be restored through Christ—to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29)—a process sometimes called sanctification, that takes a lifetime. The body is referred to in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we are to be purified, being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2).

Conclusion

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. From the account of creation in the first act of the Bible, we can see several elements of the Christian worldview. God, because he is the Creator, is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Each member of the Trinity was active in creation. Humanity is created in the image of God, which not only describes humanity, but also reveals the intrinsic value and dignity of humanity. Humanity was created to love as God loves, to commune with him as he does with us, and to work as he works. Thus, humanity from the beginning was engaged in good work and given responsibility and authority over other creatures, to care for them, and to expand God's kingdom under his sovereign rule.

Reference

Diffey, D. (2020). Wisdom in the beginning. In D. Diffey & R. Holland (Eds.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (5th ed.). Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/?query=1000000000071#/view/books/1000000000607/

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy (Original work published 2001)

Topic2Overview.pdf

CWV-101-301 Topic 2 Overview

Creation (God-Centered God; God-Centered Universe)

Introduction

This topic begins our journey of looking at why Christians have the core worldview beliefs that they do by going through the four major acts of the Bible. The first act of the Bible is creation, so we begin there. What one believes about the origins of the universe, life, and humanity affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs. However, in Topic 2, we will focus on ultimate reality, human nature, and human purpose.

For atheists, the universe (consisting of all matter and energy) has existed in some form or another for eternity. For the pantheist, the universe and god are one and the same, an impersonal force that just is. For theists whose ultimate reality is an eternal Spirit who exists apart from the universe, God is responsible for creating all there is, and there is a spiritual dimension that is beyond the natural realm.

Our focus in this topic will be on the Christian view of the origin of all there is: creation. Creation is the first of four biblical acts, the others being the fall, redemption, and restoration.

As Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). For the Christian, this verse accents that God is not only ultimate reality, but is the very essence of wisdom and understanding. Paul was compelled to write, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Rom. 11:33). So the origin of all there is began with God—and began with great wisdom.

The Nature of God: Sovereign Creator

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 1:1). God the Creator existed before his creation and, therefore, is sovereign, having supreme authority and absolute power over all things. By this act of creation, ultimate reality for Christians is further defined. God, the sovereign Creator spoke the word, and by his will all things were created. Logically from this, some important traits of God are seen.

God has many characteristics or attributes. Some of God's attributes are reflected to some extent in humanity, his highest creation, though perfected in him. These would include love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, compassion, justice, and holiness (Exod. 34:6; Isa. 6:3). Some of these are also referred to as fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22– 23. Other attributes reveal God's transcendence, that he is eternal (Ps. 90:2), infinite (1

Kings 8:27), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7–12), omnipotent (Gen. 17:1), omniscient (Ps. 139:1– 6), immutable (Ps. 102:25–27), and incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3).

God, in the Christian view, is best described as the Trinity, or Godhead: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man), and God the Holy Spirit. God is one being in three persons, each of the same substance and the same will. Importantly, in Christianity, the Father is not and does not become the Son, and the Son is not and does not become the Holy Spirit and vice versa. God is one being existing eternally as three persons. As is pointed out in The Beginning of Wisdom, all three persons were involved in the creation (Diffey, 2020, para. 11–12; see Gen. 1:2; John 1:3; Col. 1:16–17; Heb. 1:2).

The Nature of Creation: God's Good Work

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. This is true of the Christian view of creation as well. One area that the Christian understanding of creation affects is the nature of knowledge. The Creator can also be known through his creation. God has revealed himself both through special revelation as well as general revelation. Special revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through spiritual means such as through the life of Jesus Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and revealing himself through the inspiration of the Bible. General revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through natural means such as through philosophy, reasoning, and the study of history. Since general revelation includes creation, the physical sciences are viewed in the Christian worldview as an element of knowing God. The Christian worldview sees science, history, sociology, and other disciplines as ways to better understand God and his creation and does not see a divide between science and the sacred.

Genesis 1 gives a broad overview of the account of creation, then Genesis 2 zooms in on the end of day six and the creation of humanity to reveal more detail. It is clear from the creation account of Genesis 1–2 that God was orderly in his creation as he spoke everything into existence. And the result was that everything was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). The only "not good" came when God pronounced that "it is not good that the man should be alone" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 2:18 ), and so Adam and Eve were created.

Christians hold different opinions on how God accomplished his work of creation. They agree that God created the world and everything that exists in the universe (Gen. 1–2) by an act of his will and command (Ps. 33:6), from nothing (Heb. 11:3), for his glory (Rev. 4:11), with great wisdom (Ps. 104:24) through Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16). Christians agree that God's creation clearly shows his design and reveals his character (Rom. 1:20). And Christians agree that God's days of creation and rest were given as a pattern for our own days of work and rest (Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:9–11).

So although there is much agreement about the creation story, Christians disagree on exactly how God may have brought it about. There are three major approaches to

Genesis 1–2, and many sub-views within these three, but for the purposes here, we will only look at the three major views.

Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism holds that the universe, including all of life, was created by God in six 24-hour days. Young Earth Creationists often point to Adam being created with age—being a 1-minute old adult—and conclude that the Earth, too, was created with age. This view believes that the Earth is 6,000–10,000 years old.

Old Earth Creationism

Old Earth Creationism holds that the biblical account of creation was an extended historical event. Some Old Earth Creationists view each day as an epoch that lasted a very long period of time. Other Old Earth Creationists see long periods of time between the creation days. Because of this, they agree with the findings of mainstream science that the universe and earth are billions of years old, and that life appeared in stages as God gave the commands.

Evolutionary Creationism

Evolutionary Creationism is also known as theistic evolution. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the mechanism of evolution and guided evolution as a means to his creation. Evolutionary creationists, therefore, believe that the earth is billions of years old and that life evolved empowered and directed by God.

The Nature of Humanity: Divine Image Bearers

One of the most powerful concepts of the Christian worldview is the truth revealed in Genesis 1:26–27 that humanity was created in the image of God. In Christianity, this does not mean that God has fingers and toes, but rather that like God, humans are reasoning, creative, moral, and spiritual beings. All humans were created with both an immaterial soul and a physical body. This becomes even clearer in the New Testament that one day we will be resurrected to new glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42–53).

The image of God indicates that humans have remnants of his character within us and may include the following:

• Capability to love (even those who seem unlovable)

• Capability to create for purpose or simply for beauty

• Ability to reason on a very high level

• Ability to explore the universe

• Capability to communicate with our Creator and to consciously worship him

• Ability to sacrifice for others

• Ability to be fair (a sense of justice)

• Innate ability to sense right and wrong (a sense of morality)

Being created in the image of God also means that every human has intrinsic value, regardless of age, skill, appearance, or ability. Human value, in the Christian worldview, is tied to the dignity and value of being created in the image of God. This is true for all people, regardless of one's worldview or religion or whether one believes in God or not.

As God's image bearers, humans also have a creational purpose. We were created for meaningful work (Gen. 1:15, 26 ), for marriage and family (Gen 2:24, 1:28), and for relationship with God. As God's image bearers, we were designed to be God's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). Importantly, while marriage and family are part of God's purpose for humanity, individual people can certainly live a rewarding and full life as single or without having children. The Apostle Paul was single and had no natural children. In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, he provided many positive aspects of the single life.

Importantly, as we will see in Topic 3, humans have fallen from their ideal. Yet, the human value, dignity, and purpose we see here remains. Our creational purposes need to be restored through Christ—to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29)—a process sometimes called sanctification, that takes a lifetime. The body is referred to in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we are to be purified, being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2).

Conclusion

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. From the account of creation in the first act of the Bible, we can see several elements of the Christian worldview. God, because he is the Creator, is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Each member of the Trinity was active in creation. Humanity is created in the image of God, which not only describes humanity, but also reveals the intrinsic value and dignity of humanity. Humanity was created to love as God loves, to commune with him as he does with us, and to work as he works. Thus, humanity from the beginning was engaged in good work and given responsibility and authority over other creatures, to care for them, and to expand God's kingdom under his sovereign rule.

Reference

Diffey, D. (2020). Wisdom in the beginning. In D. Diffey & R. Holland (Eds.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (5th ed.). Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/?query=1000000000071#/view/books/1000000000607/

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy (Original work published 2001)

Topic2Overview.pdf

CWV-101-301 Topic 2 Overview

Creation (God-Centered God; God-Centered Universe)

Introduction

This topic begins our journey of looking at why Christians have the core worldview beliefs that they do by going through the four major acts of the Bible. The first act of the Bible is creation, so we begin there. What one believes about the origins of the universe, life, and humanity affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs. However, in Topic 2, we will focus on ultimate reality, human nature, and human purpose.

For atheists, the universe (consisting of all matter and energy) has existed in some form or another for eternity. For the pantheist, the universe and god are one and the same, an impersonal force that just is. For theists whose ultimate reality is an eternal Spirit who exists apart from the universe, God is responsible for creating all there is, and there is a spiritual dimension that is beyond the natural realm.

Our focus in this topic will be on the Christian view of the origin of all there is: creation. Creation is the first of four biblical acts, the others being the fall, redemption, and restoration.

As Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). For the Christian, this verse accents that God is not only ultimate reality, but is the very essence of wisdom and understanding. Paul was compelled to write, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Rom. 11:33). So the origin of all there is began with God—and began with great wisdom.

The Nature of God: Sovereign Creator

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 1:1). God the Creator existed before his creation and, therefore, is sovereign, having supreme authority and absolute power over all things. By this act of creation, ultimate reality for Christians is further defined. God, the sovereign Creator spoke the word, and by his will all things were created. Logically from this, some important traits of God are seen.

God has many characteristics or attributes. Some of God's attributes are reflected to some extent in humanity, his highest creation, though perfected in him. These would include love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, compassion, justice, and holiness (Exod. 34:6; Isa. 6:3). Some of these are also referred to as fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22– 23. Other attributes reveal God's transcendence, that he is eternal (Ps. 90:2), infinite (1

Kings 8:27), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7–12), omnipotent (Gen. 17:1), omniscient (Ps. 139:1– 6), immutable (Ps. 102:25–27), and incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3).

God, in the Christian view, is best described as the Trinity, or Godhead: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ who is fully God and fully man), and God the Holy Spirit. God is one being in three persons, each of the same substance and the same will. Importantly, in Christianity, the Father is not and does not become the Son, and the Son is not and does not become the Holy Spirit and vice versa. God is one being existing eternally as three persons. As is pointed out in The Beginning of Wisdom, all three persons were involved in the creation (Diffey, 2020, para. 11–12; see Gen. 1:2; John 1:3; Col. 1:16–17; Heb. 1:2).

The Nature of Creation: God's Good Work

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. This is true of the Christian view of creation as well. One area that the Christian understanding of creation affects is the nature of knowledge. The Creator can also be known through his creation. God has revealed himself both through special revelation as well as general revelation. Special revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through spiritual means such as through the life of Jesus Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and revealing himself through the inspiration of the Bible. General revelation is God revealing himself and spiritual matters through natural means such as through philosophy, reasoning, and the study of history. Since general revelation includes creation, the physical sciences are viewed in the Christian worldview as an element of knowing God. The Christian worldview sees science, history, sociology, and other disciplines as ways to better understand God and his creation and does not see a divide between science and the sacred.

Genesis 1 gives a broad overview of the account of creation, then Genesis 2 zooms in on the end of day six and the creation of humanity to reveal more detail. It is clear from the creation account of Genesis 1–2 that God was orderly in his creation as he spoke everything into existence. And the result was that everything was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). The only "not good" came when God pronounced that "it is not good that the man should be alone" (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Gen. 2:18 ), and so Adam and Eve were created.

Christians hold different opinions on how God accomplished his work of creation. They agree that God created the world and everything that exists in the universe (Gen. 1–2) by an act of his will and command (Ps. 33:6), from nothing (Heb. 11:3), for his glory (Rev. 4:11), with great wisdom (Ps. 104:24) through Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16). Christians agree that God's creation clearly shows his design and reveals his character (Rom. 1:20). And Christians agree that God's days of creation and rest were given as a pattern for our own days of work and rest (Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:9–11).

So although there is much agreement about the creation story, Christians disagree on exactly how God may have brought it about. There are three major approaches to

Genesis 1–2, and many sub-views within these three, but for the purposes here, we will only look at the three major views.

Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism holds that the universe, including all of life, was created by God in six 24-hour days. Young Earth Creationists often point to Adam being created with age—being a 1-minute old adult—and conclude that the Earth, too, was created with age. This view believes that the Earth is 6,000–10,000 years old.

Old Earth Creationism

Old Earth Creationism holds that the biblical account of creation was an extended historical event. Some Old Earth Creationists view each day as an epoch that lasted a very long period of time. Other Old Earth Creationists see long periods of time between the creation days. Because of this, they agree with the findings of mainstream science that the universe and earth are billions of years old, and that life appeared in stages as God gave the commands.

Evolutionary Creationism

Evolutionary Creationism is also known as theistic evolution. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the mechanism of evolution and guided evolution as a means to his creation. Evolutionary creationists, therefore, believe that the earth is billions of years old and that life evolved empowered and directed by God.

The Nature of Humanity: Divine Image Bearers

One of the most powerful concepts of the Christian worldview is the truth revealed in Genesis 1:26–27 that humanity was created in the image of God. In Christianity, this does not mean that God has fingers and toes, but rather that like God, humans are reasoning, creative, moral, and spiritual beings. All humans were created with both an immaterial soul and a physical body. This becomes even clearer in the New Testament that one day we will be resurrected to new glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42–53).

The image of God indicates that humans have remnants of his character within us and may include the following:

• Capability to love (even those who seem unlovable)

• Capability to create for purpose or simply for beauty

• Ability to reason on a very high level

• Ability to explore the universe

• Capability to communicate with our Creator and to consciously worship him

• Ability to sacrifice for others

• Ability to be fair (a sense of justice)

• Innate ability to sense right and wrong (a sense of morality)

Being created in the image of God also means that every human has intrinsic value, regardless of age, skill, appearance, or ability. Human value, in the Christian worldview, is tied to the dignity and value of being created in the image of God. This is true for all people, regardless of one's worldview or religion or whether one believes in God or not.

As God's image bearers, humans also have a creational purpose. We were created for meaningful work (Gen. 1:15, 26 ), for marriage and family (Gen 2:24, 1:28), and for relationship with God. As God's image bearers, we were designed to be God's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). Importantly, while marriage and family are part of God's purpose for humanity, individual people can certainly live a rewarding and full life as single or without having children. The Apostle Paul was single and had no natural children. In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, he provided many positive aspects of the single life.

Importantly, as we will see in Topic 3, humans have fallen from their ideal. Yet, the human value, dignity, and purpose we see here remains. Our creational purposes need to be restored through Christ—to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29)—a process sometimes called sanctification, that takes a lifetime. The body is referred to in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we are to be purified, being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2).

Conclusion

What one believes about origins affects, supports, or influences all six core worldview beliefs, but especially ultimate reality, the nature of humanity, and human purpose. From the account of creation in the first act of the Bible, we can see several elements of the Christian worldview. God, because he is the Creator, is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Each member of the Trinity was active in creation. Humanity is created in the image of God, which not only describes humanity, but also reveals the intrinsic value and dignity of humanity. Humanity was created to love as God loves, to commune with him as he does with us, and to work as he works. Thus, humanity from the beginning was engaged in good work and given responsibility and authority over other creatures, to care for them, and to expand God's kingdom under his sovereign rule.

Reference

Diffey, D. (2020). Wisdom in the beginning. In D. Diffey & R. Holland (Eds.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (5th ed.). Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/?query=1000000000071#/view/books/1000000000607/

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy (Original work published 2001)

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Topic2Overview.pdf

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Topic2Overview.pdf

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