Developing Creation
Topic: Faith
The last time we were in our “faith” category, we talked about the Gigantic Joy that God takes in his creation, the work of his hands. Well, listen, God is not like the selfish kid who doesn’t want to share his toys with others… he graciously invites us to participate with him in this extraordinary joy of his!
We specifically do so when we develop God’s creation, the work of his hands.
The Bible teaches us that God works with his creation in two ways. In other words, there are two ways in which God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven:
1. God works with his creation DIRECTLY (with no mediation whatsoever).
2. God works with his creation INDIRECTLY (by involving human responsibility).
Think of a human king who does some things himself, but he gives orders to his servants for the doing of other things… so it is with God!
God has placed the earth in its orbit… God summons the seasons to come and go at their appointed times… God makes the seeds to grow… God causes the animals of the world to reproduce themselves… these are things that God does directly, without our involvement.
But there are other tasks — tasks that are pointed toward the development of creation — that God has entrusted to his image–bearers.
“May the Lord rejoice in his works!”
Topic: Faith
As you may have guessed, if you’re following our more recent reflections on “Faith” (which you could catch up on by clicking on the “Faith” link in the “Reflections on…” column at the right — start with “What You Believe” ), we have been working towards a more robust Christian view of the doctrine of creation.
And today we come to a delightful truth to ponder as we seek to understand reality rightly… and that is the Joy of God in creation!
“May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.”
—Psalm 104.31
The Bible teaches us that God take great pleasure and joy in the work of his hands! Think of the oceans. Psalm 104.25,26 says this about the ocean: “Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.”
Leviathan.
This is a Hebrew word which basically means “Great Sea Monster.” Think of whales, the giant squid, crocodiles, etc.
Why did God create these “sea monsters”?
How Does God Relate To You?
Topic: Faith
Genesis 1 teaches that God made us. We are the product of his fabulously inventive mind, created out of dust to enjoy and honor him. But Genesis 1 not only speaks to how all things began; it also teaches us something else. Something very important and very practical…
It also teaches us how God RELATES to us — and indeed to all the things that he has made. He relates to us BY HIS WORD. That’s how God related to his creation in Genesis 1 and 2, and even after the fall into sin (in Genesis 3) that’s still how God relates to his creation. To be sure, our sin has confused and fractured God’s relationship with us in many ways… but nevertheless, this is still how God chooses to relate — by his Word.
Creation: A World Full of Billboards
Topic: Faith
Why did God make some of the things that he made? Like ticks? And when he made them, how did he evaluate them? How should we evaluate them? And how should that be unpacked and applied in our everyday thinking?
Listen to what Paul said in Romans 1…
“For what can be known about God is plain to [us], because God has shown it to [us]. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
What You Believe
Topic: Faith
Ask yourself the following questions. I dare you.
What words of condolence do you offer the grieving widow at the graveside? How would you respond to a mandatory military conscription of your son? Your daughter? If you’re simply not prepared for parenthood, is it morally acceptable to abort your child? If there’s a chance that a cure for Parkinson’s Disease might be found by harvesting tissues from a developing human being, do you?
If you’re absolutely positive that this is the man (or woman) for you, is it really necessary to wait for marriage before engaging in physical intimacy? If your employee has given you 32 years of loyal service to the company, but last Tuesday it became economically advantageous to fire him, do you immediately do so? Is corporal punishment an acceptable form of discipline in child-rearing, or is it always abusive? When your marriage gets rough, and you’re sure that both you and your spouse would be happier with other people, is divorce an option?
