Difference between revisions of "Creation"

Revision as of 08:33, August 23, 2020

Michelangelo's painting of the creation of the Sun and Moon.

Creation refers either to that which has been created, e.g. Mark 16:15, “Preach the Gospel to the whole creation,” or to the moment or process by which God created, e.g. Genesis is the creation account. This article deals with the second meaning, according to Christian faith. According the Gallup organization, thirty-eight percent of Americans of Americans are creationists.^[1] In Europe, Switzerland has one of the highest rates of creationism.^[2]

Creation science investigates how God brought the earth and universe into being. Young Earth Creationism demonstrates though multiple lines of evidence that the earth is approximately 6,000 years old. Old Earth Creationism, like atheistic evolutionary pseudoscience, claims that the earth and universe are billions of years old.

Creation scientists also demonstrate that the theory of evolution is in conflict with the evidence provided by the physical sciences and often cite secular scientific sources which agree with them on various points (for further details please see: theory of evolution).^[3] Theistic evolutionists accept an old Earth and believe that evolution occurred, but that it was God’s means of creation.

Distinction between creation and Creator: God's transcendence

see also Existence

The first verse of the Bible distinguishes God from the heaven and the earth. The theological discussion of this distinction falls under the named topic of transcendence, and the key philosophical concept with regard to God and creation is the two categories of existence (with regard to causes, or rather sources, of being): a se—from itself and ab alio—from another. That is, God's existence is from God's self while creation's existence is from another.

Nowhere is this Scriptural doctrine more exemplified nor, perhaps, better artistically rendered, than by the hymn to God's omnipotence in the Book of Job and God's responses to the titular character and his three counselling friends in poetic speeches:

Hymn by Elihu (ch. 36:22-37:24)
"Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'

"Remember that you magnify his work, about which men have sung.
All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him.
The number of his years is unsearchable.

"For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
which the skies pour down, and which drop on man abundantly.
For by these he judges the people.
He gives food in abundance.

"Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunderings of his pavilion?
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also, concerning the storm that comes up.

"Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty.
He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.

"God thunders marvelously with his voice.
He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.

"For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the shower of rain,
and to the showers of his mighty rain.
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.

"Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.
He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.

"It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them
on the surface of the habitable world,
whether it is for correction, or for his land,
or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

"Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

"You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
Can you, with him, spread out the sky,
which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
Teach us what we will tell him.

"'We can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
Will it be told him that I would speak?
Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?'

"Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power.
In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart."^[4]

Famous Creationists

The late Dr. Henry Morris was the founder of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR), who coined the term “creation science” and began the modern creation science movement. He was a scientist and held a master's degree and a PhD in hydraulic engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Duane Gish

Dr. Duane Gish, now retired, was a scientist (chemistry), a member of ICR, and a prolific debater for the Young Earth creationist cause. Dr. Henry Morris said of Gish, “at least in our judgment and that of most in the audiences, he always wins.”

Dr. Carl Wieland with Creation Ministries International

Dr. Jonathan Sarfati is a scientist (chemistry), chess champion, and Young Earth creationist, who works for Creation Ministries International in Australia. He has written a number of books refuting evolutionary arguments and various theological arguments that try and accommodate evolution or an old Earth.

Ken Ham is a Young Earth creationist, a founder of the American branch of Answers in Genesis, and prime mover of the Petersburg, Kentucky Creation Museum.

Dr. Hugh Ross is a scientist (astronomy), a progressive creationist, and founder of Reasons to Believe. He considers nature to be the 67th book of the Bible.

Creation in Non-Christian Religions

Most religions of the world have their own versions of creation, some of which are similar to Christian beliefs and some of which are very different. The following discussions are presented in chronological order from older religions to more recent religions such as Islam.

Creation in Judaism

The teachings of Judaism are based on Genesis, as in Christianity; however, significant liberal Jewish authorities also believe in the theory of evolution, and that this theory is not incompatible with biblical accounts of creation.^[5]

Creation in Hinduism

Hindus believe that Brahma, one of their three principal deities, created the universe, while Vishnu is the preserver of the universe.^[6] Hinduism has its own form of evolution, and is generally considered to be compatible with the current "scientific" theory of evolution.^[7]

Source of the Universe in Buddhism

The Buddhist conception of the "source", substratum, "womb" or "matrix" of the universe is referred to by the Sanskrit term "Garbha" as seen in one of the three Sanskrit words for the "ultimate": 1. "Dharmakaya", 2. "Tathagata Garbha" and 3. "Dharma Dhatu". These three words are all represented by the word "Dharma". These are the ultimate reality that one realizes at enlightenment. These three Sanskrit words (especially "Dharmakaya") is the closest concept that Mahayana Buddhism has that fairly closely resembles the Judeo-Christian "creator God" although it is not accepted by Theravada Buddhists and is not well known among most common Buddhists who are neither serious scholars nor practitioners of the religion. This is why both many non-Buddhists and liberal beginner "Buddhists in name only" (see RINO) especially in America, misunderstand Buddhism thinking it denies the existence of God or a primary causative being of the universe. Those who suggest this misconception have not studied Buddhist esoteric Sutra teachings on these three terms "Dharmakaya" - "Tathagata Garbha" - "Dharma Dhatu". These terms imply timeless, eternality, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, inscrutability and immutability.

Creation in Islam

Muslims attribute creation of the universe to Allah. The Qur'an does not have one cohesive story of creation, but it does say that the Earth and the rest of the universe were created over six "days," which may not be the same length of time as a modern day.^[8] "Young-Earth creationism is wholly absent in the Muslim world."^[9]

Creation in Less Common Religions

Versions of creation in ancient, indigenous, Eastern shamanic, and relatively obscure religions are often referred to as "creation stories" or "creation myths." (Note: in this usage, the word "myth" does not necessarily imply that the story is untrue, but that it is a traditional or legendary story.^[10]) Here are some examples:^[11][12]

• Babylonians believed that the heavens, Earth, and non-human life were created by Marduk, the four-eared, four-eyed giant who became ruler of the gods after defeating an army of dragons and monsters. These things were created from the body of Tiamat, who was a descendent of the water gods like Marduk, and who ruled the defeated army of dragons and monsters. Human life was created by Ea, god of the rivers, and Nintu, the birth-goddess, out of clay from the Earth and blood and spittle from other gods.

• According to Hopi Native Americans, the Creator, Taiowa, and his "nephew," Sotuknang, created the finite with four separate acts of creaton. 1) Gathering matter to create nine solid worlds. 2) Gathering waters to create seas. 3) Gathering air to make winds and breezes. 4) Creating life, starting with Spider Woman, who created all other life forms.

• Native Hawaiians believe that life forms of the sea, air, and land were created from the unions of various entites of darkness and half-darkness. Humanity came about through the union of La'ila'i (the first woman), Ki'i (the first man), and Kane (a god).

• The Mayans believed that everything was created by Tepu and Gucamatz. Whatever they thought about came into being. Advanced beings were created so that the creators could be praised. Advanced beings were first made of clay, then wood, but these did not work so they were wiped out in a flood. New beings were formed with the help of Mountain Lion, Coyote, Parrot, and Crow.

There are many other creation stories that are much longer and more complex.

Creationists in the world

As described in a 2011 IPSOS ^[13] study.

Europe's rejection of biblical Christianity, which accepts biblical creationism, explains why Europe is such a mess at this time (see also: Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism).

Biblical creation magazines and journals

See also: Biblical creation journals

Some prominent biblical creation magazines and journals are given below:

• Creation magazine

• Journal of Creation - Peer reviewed

• Creation Research Society Quarterly Journal - peer reviewed

See also

• Creationism
• Evolution
• Creation vs. Evolution Videos
• Essay: Sharing your Christian/creationist videos on the internet
• Atheist Creationism
• Creation vs evolution essays
• Buddhist Creator Source of the Universe in Esoteric Mahayana Buddhism

External links

• The International Association For Creation
• The Creation Network
• The Big Map of Creation
• Creation Ministries International
• Creation Revolution

References