Think Like Jesus:
Make the Right Decision Every Time
Part 2: Developing a Biblical Worldview
Chapter 6: Questions 3: How and Why Was the World Created?
Where did everything that you see and experience come from? How you answer that and related questions will affect your worldview. Obviously this is an issue of major significance. Your beliefs about the beginning and sustenance of the physical world affect everything including your understanding of sin, forgiveness, truth and morality, the veracity of the Scriptures and the purposes and outcomes of humankind…..To delve into this matter more fully, let’s address three fundamental questions. First, how did the universe come about; that is, who or what was responsible for the emergence of the universe and by what means? Second, why was the universe created? And finally, what difference does any of this make to us? (Pg. 89)
Are there other questions about creation that you think are pertinent? If so, what are they?
THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
Every created thing has a beginning, a time when it is created. The universe in which we live is a created reality. How was it created? By the work of the God who has always existed and has the power to bring it into existence. How did God create the world? Its appearance was a product of His will, His power, and His words. Read the creation account in the first two chapters of the Bible and marvel at the creative genius behind the conception of the universe. ….Just as a potter starts with a formless blob of clay, God started by taking and initial stab at making something of interest. He created the universe. How? He had an idea and willed it into existence—which, of course, He can do because He is God……After a bit of reflection—for how long, we’ll never know, for He does not operate within our time and space constraints—He spiced up His masterpiece by changing the lighting. What a change, too—night and day, light and dark; as He said, it was good. And, yet, it was missing something. There was too much water. So He separated it, inserting the sky. Interesting. This was also a good choice, He proclaimed…………But then, like a master painter seeking that final touch in just the right place on the canvas, He conceived the most brilliant element of all: people. Wanting them to be just right, He fashioned them after Himself and gave them many of the same qualities and abilities (though on a limited scale) that He possessed…..And what a remarkable process. He imagined it, He spoke it, and it happened. (Pps. 89-91)
But how do we know this is really what He did? Because the God who can tell no lies told us so. In fact, to make sure we did not miss the point—and its significance—these creative acts are the first things listed in His handbook for the Bible (i.e., the Bible). But the creation of the universe is so special that the biblical narrative keeps coming back to it—just as we should regularly return to its implications in the development and application of our worldview. Ultimately, you cannot accurately understand your life without grasping the nature of God’s creative abilities, choices and results. (Pg. 91)
Look over this summary of creation. Is it plausible? Why do you think it is or isn’t what actually happened?
Skeptics Exist
You undoubtedly know that there are millions of people—maybe you are one of them—who do not accept the fact that God created the universe. The basis of such skepticism varies but most often revolves around the notion of evolution. Evolution’s argument supposes that the first living organisms appeared as a simple, single-cell entity and then evolved into increasingly complex organisms through a process known as natural selection. Natural selection is a means through which an organism must survive its natural environment and challenges in order to reproduce, weeding out the weakest of species until only the strongest and most adaptable are left. The evolution theory suggests that the single-cell entity not only evolved in complexity, but also somehow mutated beneficial characteristics until a human being had evolved. It is a creative and interesting theory, but one that does not fully connect with available evidence. (For instance, the fossil record does not produce an unbroken evolutionary chain to support the theory. (Pps. 91-92)
Why do you accept or reject the theory of evolution?
Furthermore, there is no reasonable theory to explain what triggered the whole process….
Evolutionists still have to determine what brought that initial single-cell organism into being: Where did it come from, and what created it? If, as we know, you can’t make something out of nothing, and everything must have a beginning, neither the big bang theory of creation nor the theory of evolution adequately explains how things started and arrived at their current condition. (Pg. 92)
How do you respond to Barna’s additional question of what triggered the process?
Of course, these theories have a major flaw from a Christian vantage point: They deny the Biblical teaching about the origins of the world and essentially portray God and His Word as deception. The abibilical arguments ignore a lot of scientific evidence and knowledge. For example, all matter is naturally subject to entropy, which means that over time things lose energy and strength rather than gain momentum, and thus fizzle out rather than prosper. ….Why do so many people struggle to embrace the biblical account of creation and sustenance? To some degree it is because the Bible does not provide a complete and detailed scientific record of the purpose and process of creation. However, the Bible was not intended to be a technical science text. It was designed to satisfy God’s purpose—which include our getting to know and appreciate Him. The Bible contains enough information about the creation and sustenance of the universe for us to understand Him better while continual archeological and anthropological discoveries confirm the biblical account. But remember there will always be an element of faith involved in our acceptance of what the Bible describes. (Pps 92-93)
Why do you think that God didn’t give us all the scientific information needed to prove that He created the universe?
Intelligent Design Theory
Evolutionists would posit that over the course of millions of years of adaptation a natural and progressive developmental process was at work that enabled the elements of life to align themselves to produce the vast array of living species—plant, animal and human—that exists today. Intelligent design advocates contend that the more we study and understand the universe, the more we realize that the incredible complexity of the universe could not possibly have happened by chance; there has to be some grand design behind it, and by extension, a designer. Although scientists who support this theory do not posit the necessity of a divine designer as part of their theory, Christians would understand the designer to be God. People on both sides of the debate agree on many facts related to creation but diverge on matters of interpretation. …. (Pps 93-94)
In the end Barna contends: “It would take much greater faith to believe in that theory (evolution out of nothing) than in the idea that a divine creator fashioned the universe to His unfathomably perfect specifications. (Pg. 95)
What do you think of the “Intelligent Design Theory”? Why?
THE REASON FOR CREATION
Logically, a universe that exists by design but without a purpose does not seem likely. One thing that we discover from reading the Bible from cover to cover is that God is an intelligent Being who has a reason for everything He does or allows. If we embrace the notion that He created the universe, why did He do so? He is self-sufficient, self-sustaining, and omnipotent. Why create the world in which we live?
The Scriptures provide what seems like an incredibly simple explanation: He created the world because He wanted to!.....God enjoys creating things that relate to Him and appreciate Him for His power, purpose, purity and perfection….Only people, described as the crowning creation of His universe, can satisfy God’s desire to be loved and worshiped….But it is humans alone who can grasp the incredible sophistication and beauty of the universe and give God meaningful and heartfelt respect, praise, and worship as a result of His handiwork. (Pps. 95-96)
What do you thing of Barna’s explanation of why God created the universe?
WHAT DIFFERENCE UNDERSTANDING CREATION MAKES
Thinking like Jesus demands that we have an unambiguous and stable understanding of the source of everything we experience. His earthly activities emanated from a clear sense of who is in charge and what life on planet earth is to be about. When Jesus discipled His followers, He always brought things back to the level of basic worldview. As He alluded to in the Sermon on the Mount, God knows all, God controls all, and His purposes and will shall be completed. As participants in His plan, we can either acknowledge His sovereignty and work with Him, or we can fight Him and pay the price…..What drove Jesus’ ability to live an influential and God pleasing life on earth? He comprehended the power, the presence and the purposes of God the Father. As such, Jesus knew that the universe did not just appear; it was created. (Pg. 96) The existence and nature of the world underscore the importance of worshiping Him. It also removes any argument for worshiping anything or anybody else; He alone is the astounding Creator of all, worthy of the worship He requires from us. Idolatry in the world that God create is a logical absurdity and spiritual blasphemy. (Pg. 97)
Do you see the connection between God being Creator of all, and our worship of Him?
What Creation Reveals
The intricacy of the universe also provides many clues about God’s character—facets that cause and enable us to worship Him more knowledgeably, enjoy Him more completely, spread the news about Him more engagingly, and serve Him more meaningfully. The nature of what He has created illustrates that He is orderly and purposeful. His creativity exceeds even the boundaries of our imagination, yet He is also detailed in ways we have yet to comprehend. What He created works—it is practical, complete, integrated, and capable of fulfilling His divine will. In order to develop all of this He is certainly powerful, but His is a controlled and directed power, not wielded for show but used for significant and tangible purposes. (Pg. 97)
What does creation reveal to you about God in addition to what Barna notes?
What does the creation tell us about His grand purposes. The visceral reaction to His design is amazement and awe—intentionally inspired to motivate us to focus on Him, desire a relationship with Him, and bless Him in any and every way we can because of how phenomenal He is. I have had the opportunity to observe a number of high-profile athletes, musicians, and politicians up close, and I never cease to be amazed at how frenetically people strive to give those “superstars” adulation, unique opportunities, and even material benefits. How much more does God deserve the best and the most robust that we have to offer?....What degree of respect and obedience do we give Him? (Pps. 97-98)
How do you respond to Barna’s two questions at the end of this section?
Creation and Science
Perhaps you wonder about the role of science: Is it inherently hostile to God? Not at all! Science is one of the means through which we are able to figure out the amazing complexities and connections of what god created.
The purpose of science has been distorted by some people to be a means of “proving” the absence or nonexistence of God when in fact proper science can only point out the existence and majesty of God. The results of authentic scientific inquiry, which is allowed by God, will simply provide more reason to glorify God, rather than reasons to dismiss or replace Him.
What is your response to this explanation of the place of science in understanding God and creation?
FOR NEXT WEEK: Read Chapter 7: Pages 101-117 in Think Like Jesus