How God Created The World
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Introduction
READ Genesis 1:1-2:3
The book of Genesis is first book of the Bible that people usually begin reading. It is where everything began. God’s creation of the heavens and earth. God’s creation of mankind. We see in a where God created marriage, genders, humans and life. paints a picture of what a perfect world looked like. It’s a world before sin and suffering came. I’m sure most of you are very familiar with .
It is where everything began. God’s creation of the heavens and earth. God’s creation of mankind. We see in a where God created marriage, genders, humans and life.
paints a picture of what a perfect world looked like. It’s a world before sin and suffering came.
At the same time, the book of the Bible that our culture and society attacks the most is Genesis, especially the first 11 chapters.
When it comes to God’s creation, was the world made in 6 days or was it made over countless years?
When it comes to mankind, did God create man out of the dust or did mankind evolve over millions or billions of years through the process of evolution?
When it comes to gender, did God create two genders or are there multiple genders in the world? Did God create genders at all or is it okay not to identify either/or…also known as non-binary.
When it comes to marriage, did God design marriage to be a covenant relationship between a male or female or is it okay to celebrate marriage of whatever sexual orientation that people have?
When it comes to Noah and the flood, was there actually a global flood or was it just fairytale?
I open the lesson up with those thoughts because it should challenge us to think critically about the world that we are living in. It should also challenge to think critically about what we believe to be true and WHY we believe it to be true.
I’ll be upfront with you today and tell you that I’m not a scientist. I don’t pretend to be a scientist. I dropped out of physics, my chemistry marks never improved, but I did get a B or B+ on biology. That’s the extent of my science.
I’m a pastor. I teach the Bible. I’m a theologian. Because I’m not a scientist, I do consult with other scientists who love Jesus and submit to His Word. However, just because I’m not a scientist, it doesn’t mean I don’t touch on topics that relate to science and it doesn’t mean I can’t challenge modern science with logic and true science.
describes how the world came into being and describes what happened exactly. We’ll study the Scripture and we will put on our thinking hats.
Let me also explain that if you don’t understand Genesis, you won’t understand the whole Bible.
What I’ll be teaching you today will most likely be contrary to everything that you have learned and been taught at school. I don’t expect all of you to agree with what I have to say, but I do hope to challenge you with these questions as we go through this lesson:
What do you believe to be the truth?
Why do you believe it to be the truth?
How do you know if what you believe to be the truth is the truth?
Is it okay to take the culture’s cues and accept them as true and still be a Christian?
Background of Genesis
Now, we know Genesis is the 1st book of the Bible. The author is traditionally attributed to Moses. Moses was the author of the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The first five books is known as the Pentetuch (five books) or the Torah (the Law).
Moses would most likely have written this book when he and the Israelites were at Mount Sinai in Exodus. This book would help the Israelites understand their history and their ancestors.
Big Idea: God is the Creator Of The Universe
1. God created the universe out of nothing - ex nihilo. (v.1-2)
We begin looking at verse 1. READ.
The phrase “in the beginning” is to be understood as the beginning of God’s creation, which includes matter and time. God did not somehow come into being in this beginning and started His creation. God has always existed before the beginning of the universe. God is not bound by matter and time, but He’s outside of time and matter. We as human beings are bound by time and matter.
Another thing we need to pay attention to is the word “created.” Humans can create stuff. Almost all the time, we are able to invent and create something from some other matters or things. With God, however, this word “create” in Hebrew is uniquely and only associated with God. This word carries the idea that God creates the universe and the cosmos OUT OF NOTHING. God creates and does things outside the law of physics and science. So, when God created the heavens and the earth, He did so OUT OF NOTHING. What the Bible clearly teaches us about creation is that the universe is ultimately the creative work of God’s Hands.
Just think with me for a bit. When God created the universe, it was not a natural process.
Of course, in verse 2, we learn that the earth was was not finished yet. Ii was without form and void. This literally means “empty.” The only thing that earth had was water.
For those of you who grew up in the church, you may be familiar with God as Trinity. One God, in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I’m convinced that the Trinity created the universe. As you see, the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. God the Spirit was there in the beginning of Creation.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
God
Colossians
This is where John picks up the idea that Jesus Christ, God the Son, was also involve in creation in the beginning.
So knowing that the earth was not finished, we will see how God will first…FORM the earth from day 1 to day 3; AND second, FILL the earth from day 4-6.
You could look at it like a pizza dough. God created the Universe, or God created the pizza dough. Of course, the pizza dough is not the end of its creation. Hence, the pizza dough needs to form its shape and size. After you FORMED the pizza dough into a circular shape of about 12 inches, you start FILLING the pizza dough with tomato sauce, cheeze and pepperoni (AND NOT PINEAPPLE!). You bake it and it’s ready to be eaten.
Hopefully that gives you an idea of how God created the universe. So, we’ll blaze through the rest of the passage. I won’t touch upon every detail of this, but I will bring it up important theological points.
2. God created the universe with order (v.3-2:3)
Day 1 - The Creation Of Light
Day 2 - The Creation of Heavens (Sky/Clouds)
Day 3 - The Creation Of Dryland, including its vegetations
Day 1 -3 is how God formed the earth
Day 4 - The Creation of Sun and Moon
Day 5 - The Creation of Air and Water Creatures
Day 6 - The Creation Of Land Animals and Humans
Day 4-6 is how God filled the earth.
Day 7 - God rested after His creation.
The point is that there’s order in God’s creation, not random chaos, not unguided and purposeless process of change as Darwinian Evolutionists would teach.
Notice the way God formed and filled the earth. He SPOKE it into existence and nature obeyed the voice of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
After God formed and filled the earth, the text tells us that it was GOOD besides human. When God create humans, it was VERY good. We’ll get into the origin of humanity in future lessons.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
After God formed and filled the earth, the text tells us that it was GOOD besides human. When God create humans, it was VERY good. We’ll get into the origin of humanity in future lessons.
We are going to tackle some questions regarding this passage because they’re controversial.
Are we to interpret “day” as a normal 24-hour day or extended long period of time?
Many Christians debate on the meaning of the word “Day” (“Yom” in Hebrew). This debate sprung into two general views on creation: Young Earth and Old Earth.
FYI, both sides of the debate do their best to faithfully interpret the Bible accurately. At the same time, we must do our best and try not to let our culture and society dictate and inform the way we read the Bible.
Old Earth View
This view interprets “day” as a normal 24-hour day. Whenever there is a number associated with day (6th day or 150 days), it is usually understood as a normal day.
Moses who is the traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis wrote it to the Israelites. He probably wrote it when Moses was on Mount Sinai. When it comes to interpreting the Bible, we must understand the author’s intent of writing this book because the author’s intent determines the meaning of the text.
When Moses wrote Genesis, how would the Israelites have understood Genesis? Moses and the Israelites should have understood to be six normal/literal days (). If God created the world in six days, then the 7th day is to be a day of rest. If it is an ambiguous long day, then how would the Israelite know which day of the week they are to rest?
and the Israelites understood to be six normal/literal days (). If God created the world in six days, then the 7th day is to be a day of rest. If it is an ambiguous long day, then how would the Israelite know which day of the week they are to rest?
Old Earth View
This view argues that “day” has different meanings in Hebrew: (1) a point of time (2) a year (3) 24-hour day (4) a vague “time”.
Because the word “day” has different meanings, we cannot be too dogmatic and conclude that 24-hour day is the only possible meaning.
Day 6 seems to take a long time with the creation of mankind to marriage (2:24). Day 7 does not conclude like the rest of the days with “evening and morning, # day.” Perhaps, it might mean that day 7 is not complete.
God guided the process of creation through the history of the earth for many years (millions and billions), but not necessarily through evolution. This subview is called progressive creationism.
God used evolution to guide the creation of the universe. This view teaches Adam may not be a historical figure, but a symbolic figure of mankind in general. This subview is called Theistic Evolution.
Young Earth View
This view interprets “day” as a normal 24-hour day. Whenever there is a number associated with day (6th day or 150 days), it is usually understood as a normal day.
Moses who is the traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis wrote it to the Israelites. He probably wrote it when Moses was on Mount Sinai. When it comes to interpreting the Bible, we must understand the author’s intent of writing this book because the author’s intent determines the meaning of the text.
When Moses wrote Genesis, how would the Israelites have understood Genesis? Moses and the Israelites should have understood to be six normal/literal days (). If God created the world in six days, then the 7th day is to be a day of rest. If it is an ambiguous long day, then how would the Israelite know which day of the week they are to rest?
Where do I stand? My conviction is that the young earth view is perhaps the most faithful to its original context and intent.
What about evolution? I think in the 3rd lesson, we will talk about the Historic Adam, so we’ll touch on evolution.
These scientists signed a document that made this statement: “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”
For me, I object to the claim of the theory of evolution. Not only can I make that objection from the Bible, but I also do so philosophically. In brief, evolutionists claim that life began with a matter. And somehow, by random chance, this matter took millions and billions of years to evolve into what we have right now. But, when asked where this matter came from, evolutionists cannot give an answer to that question. They may say “probably this” or “probably that.” Masao is probably well-versed in objecting evolution scientifically, so if you’re interested, I could always ask him to come and give a lesson on it.
Masao is probably well-versed in objecting evolution scientifically.
In brief, I’ll say this. You can choose to believe it, but don’t believe it simply because your teacher and your science textbook told you. It’s been documented that there are 1000 reputable scientists in the world from different well-known universities that are skeptical about the claims of Darwinian evolution. In fact, the number keeps growing.
I don’t believe in evolution.
These scientists signed a document that made this statement: “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”
How is it possible for Day 1 to have light when God created the Sun on Day 4?
Those who hold to an old-earth view argue that it is impossible to have light on Day 1 without the Sun. Hence, they would theorize and find other ways to interpret this passage. Either should not be taken literally, but rather allegorically OR somehow God did make the Sun, but He hid it until it was fully revealed in Day 4.
The problem with the old-earth argument is that they assume that the source of light in creation has to be the Sun or else there won’t be light. However, the Bible doesn’t make that assumption. If you look at the book of Revelation, when God brings in the New Heaven and New Earth, it tells us that the source of light is no longer the Sun.
22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,
Revelation
When God formed the light in Day 1, it is possible that the light is coming from another source other than the Sun, either that source came from Himself or others.
So, when God filled the earth in the sky with the Sun and the Moon in Day 4, He created them with a distinctive purpose, to tell time and season.
Moses and the Israelites would’ve understood this when God brought darkness upon Egypt.
21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.”
God is Light. When Egypt had darkness, the Israelites had the Light.
3. God created the universe by miracle
Creation in of itself is a miracle.
Many Christians stumble in because they don’t understand how to reconcile faith with modern science. I can sympathize with that and I know some who have struggled with this.
But you need to know that God created the Universe by miracle. If it’s a miracle, then it is not possible to observe this by science. Science cannot possibly explain miracles.
What is a miracle? Miracles are “events that are totally out of the ordinary and that cannot be adequately explained on the basis of natural occurrences.”
When it comes to the earth looking so old, the datings of rocks cannot possibly be accurate. When God made the earth, the earth may look old, but the age of it may look young. Similarly, when God made Adam and Eve, you cannot tell how old they were, but they sure were old enough to get married and have babies.
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
A wine usually takes 2-3 weeks to be fermented before it is ready to be put in the bottle. When Jesus changed the water into wine, you cannot possibly date the age of the fermented wine. It was a miracle.
Creation is not scientifically explanable. So, what I am suggesting is that creation itself is a miracle.
God SPOKE it into existence and nature obeyed the voice of the Lord.
Notice the way God formed and filled the earth. He SPOKE it into existence and nature obeyed the voice of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
God is the Creator of the Universe.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Conclusion
Nobody in this world knows the origin of life. No modern scientists were there in the beginning, but they could try to observe and theorize. Nonetheless, whatever theory scientists try to come up with, it will always change and end up saying, “I’m not sure” or “this probably happened” and so forth without any definitive answer.
There is only One being, One Witness in this Universe that was there in the beginning of Creation to give Testimony: God Himself. And God has given us a window or a picture of His creation found in His Word. Not only has God told us what He created, but He also told us HOW he created. God has given us a definitive answer to the origin of life.
God’s Word and God’s Nature will never contradict with one another. Whatever God said in His Word regarding Nature, we will see it. Whatever we see in nature, it should support the testimony of the Bible.
God is Our Creator. He created you for His glory. He created you to that you would glorify Him and enjoy Him in a relationship. Just as God created the Universe through His Words and nature obeyed Him, so we are to obey this Creator who created us. Will you acknowledge Your Creator? Will you obey Him?
These scientists signed a document that made this statement: “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”
For me, I object to the claim of the theory of evolution. Not only can I make that objection from the Bible, but I also do so philosophically. In brief, evolutionists claim that life began with a matter. And somehow, by random chance, this matter took millions and billions of years to evolve into what we have right now. But, when asked where this matter came from, evolutionists cannot give an answer to that question. They may say “probably this” or “probably that.” Masao is probably well-versed in objecting evolution scientifically, so if you’re interested, I could always ask him to come and give a lesson on it.