The Creation
The Creation is the act by which God brought the universe into existence from nothing, ex nihilo, by the power of His word. Genesis 1–2 describe God forming and filling a good world, culminating in the creation of human beings in His own image.
Type
event
Biblical event
Significance
The doctrine of creation establishes that the universe is not eternal, accidental, or evil, it is the intentional work of a good God. It gives human beings their dignity (made in God's image), their calling (to steward creation), and their accountability (to their Creator).
About The Creation
The Creation is the act by which God brought the universe into existence from nothing, ex nihilo, by the power of His word. Genesis 1–2 describe God forming and filling a good world, culminating in the creation of human beings in His own image.
Why It Matters
The doctrine of creation establishes that the universe is not eternal, accidental, or evil, it is the intentional work of a good God. It gives human beings their dignity (made in God's image), their calling (to steward creation), and their accountability (to their Creator).
Key Verses
The most important scripture passages relating to The Creation.
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Context
The opening statement of Scripture establishes God's prior existence and absolute sovereignty over all created reality, the foundation on which all else rests.
Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him.”
Context
Paul identifies the agent of creation as Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, and states that the entire universe exists for His glory.
Genesis 1:31
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”
Context
God's own evaluation of His creation, a declaration that the material world is fundamentally good, not evil or illusory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible teach creation out of nothing (ex nihilo)?
Yes, Hebrews 11:3 states "the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." God did not work with pre-existing material; He spoke and what did not exist came to be. This distinguishes the biblical Creator from all other ancient creation accounts.
Are the six days of creation literal 24-hour days?
This is one of the most debated questions in biblical interpretation. Young-earth creationists hold they are literal 24-hour days based on the Hebrew word "yom" with evening and morning. Old-earth and framework view scholars see the days as literary or ages. The text's primary claim, that God is the deliberate creator of all things, is agreed upon across these views.
What does it mean that humans are made in God's image?
The "image of God" (imago Dei) means humans uniquely reflect God's attributes, rationality, morality, creativity, relational capacity, and spiritual nature. It gives every human being inherent dignity and worth regardless of ability, productivity, or social standing. The image was marred by sin but is being renewed in believers (Colossians 3:10).