God and Creation

by Dr. Kenneth J. Hicks, Th.D.

God is said to be the creator of everything and most Theologians agree with this statement. But there is much controversy concerning the method and time of creation. My reason for writing this paper is to look at and consider the various options and to render my own opinion. It is NOT intended to serve as a research paper, nor will it be a detailed study of this subject. Rather it should serve as a catalyst for interest in further research and study by the reader.

The book of Genesis clearly indicates the creation of the universe as we know it was performed by God. This is repeated through out the Bible. The belief by some that there was a creation, then a devastation, followed by a recreation is explained that the first verse states God created the heavens and the earth. This would indicate the existence of "heavens" or celestial bodies and the "earth"

Verse 2 then states, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

It is at this point that the disagreement begins. One group wants us to believe that because of the fall of Satan, his presence corrupted the earth and thus God had to recreate it again.

Then there are those that say, "nonsense" this is only a statement of creation (vs.1) and the remainder of the chapter is the explanation of the actual creation. These groups both believe that the creation of the present world was done in 6 days, and on the 7th day God rested.

Along comes the next group and says, "Yes, God created the heavens and the earth, but in fact the time that he did this was not actually 6 days as we count days, but rather a time period which encompassed millions of years in which he used the method of evolutionary selection to do it." This group is the "evolutionary creationist." And they use scripture such as 2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." to indicate the Lord does not count time the way we do.

Now just what group are we to believe? And does it make any difference as long as we don't let our disagreements over shadow the importance of Worshipping God, who is the creator.

But there is a curious thought that intermingles creation and predestination! This is the subject which I would like to look at a little closer.

Predestination and "free-will" choice have clashed over the years, with some groups saying that God predestined those that would be saved, while overlooking that the scripture repeatedly indicates that man was given a free will to choose whether he would live for God, or reject God and live for himself. So far, the questions raised could fill a book shelf with opinions.

My wonderment of the creation process caused me to question the time by which we measure creation. I do believe that God did create the known universe and all that is in it during the six days which the Bible declares. What I wonder about is what that creation consisted of? Let me try to explain.

Time is a measurement that we associate with the movement of our planet earth, with the movement of our nearest star the Sun. We all know that the earth rotates around the sun one time in what we call a year. And we measure our year by this rotation. We measure our days in that year, by the number of rotations that the earth makes during that year. 365.25 rotations of the earth to 1 rotation around the sun. All of our measurement of time is based on this principal. But is God subject to this measurement of time?

The Bible tells us, starting in: Genesis 21:33 Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. This is repeated through out the Bible. If God is eternal, then he has no beginning and no ending and this would indicate he lives in a "timeless" dimension.

We are also told that God knows all men. John 2:24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. This is an interesting verse, when you look at Jesus, the Son of God, the triune figure.

Now is when it becomes sticky! If God, and the trinity created the world, and if Jesus "knew ALL men, and they were in a timeless dimension, then is it possible that when God created, that he created everything? Does he continue to create?

Genesis tells us in 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. If God rested from ALL creation, then does he still create today? What about those just being born! Are they being created? If they are, then God rested to soon!

I told you it would get sticky. Let me now suggest some "food for thought" on this subject. Suppose that God, in a timeless dimension, decided to create man in his image. Would he not have a plan? After all God is Omniscient, or all knowing. Of course he would.

Let me use a crude analysis of this thought. When a movie is to be made, the Director knows what it is going to look like before the cast is selected, or the scenery built. The creation of the film is the sole responsibility of the director. As the picture is made, not even the actors know what the final out come will be, because that is what the director and editors will decide. When the film is finally "canned" it still does no one any good! The film in the can is worthless. It must be put into motion for it to have any value what so ever. Now consider this. The director knows every detail of the film, but the actors and public are only allowed to see it unfold over a period of a couple of hours!

Do you see the comparison that I am making? God created everything in the beginning. He allowed the actors, us, to perform the scenes, then he rested from his creation. God is "playing the film" now!

In a timeless dimension, with an eternal God, who is omniscient and omnipresent, all creation could have been made and completed in that dimension. All you have to do is read the 139th Psalms to understand this. David said in verse 14 through 17, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16 yours eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (17) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! This would indicate that the psalmist also recognized the pre-creation concept!

But what does this do about "free-will"? The answer to that is NOTHING! God created us all, and just as a director knows what is going to happen, it is the actors that perform the scenes. God allowed man to have a free-will choice on how he wanted to live his life, or "act out the scene" when his time came to "be on screen". God did not interfere or direct the action as a movie director would. He didn't yell, "CUT!" he let the action continue during creation. Now we are seeing the results of that creation. God has rested from ALL creation. He is not continuing to create. That was completed.

Let me take this thought one step further. Periodically, through out the bible and at various times, God allowed men, Prophets, to look into the future and see events which were to take place. These men of god were allowed to look at the completed creation at a point in "time" (our measurement of time) which had not been revealed because it was "further-down-the-film"! Think about the prophet John looking upon the holy city as described in Revelation. He is actually seeing the city and the events that are taking place. This is not an imaginary vision, it is the actual event. He is seeing further along the creation processes and attempts to tell us what he is seeing. But because of his earthly knowledge, he can only attempt to write what he is seeing, limited to the carnal nature he is in.

Years ago, while in the military, I worked at the base theater and occasionally would assist the projectionist with loading the cameras. Most movies contain about 6 or 7 large reels of film. One time we accidentally loaded one of the later reels toward the beginning of the film! You can imagine the reaction of the audience when they started seeing things happening which were obviously out of the order intended! That is what it must have been like for the prophets!

We must be thankful for Grace, for without it, none of us would have chosen God. As the bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Praise God for his love.

OK, I have opened a can of worms. But as in all good bible studies, the truth is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. We are to study to show ourselves approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15). The purpose of this paper is to provoke thought...what you do with it is between you and God.

It is a comfort to me to know that God knows the outcome. He created everything and is in complete control of the results. Nothing can change the course of that creation, because it is finished and "in the can". We need only to enjoy the performance and to "play our part" to the honor and Glory of God. He promised eternal life with him, to all who choose him, and believe that Jesus Christ is the method by which we come to him.

Just think, when the "movie is over", we don't have to leave the theater, rather we get to live with the creator forever! Life will go on for everyone...where will you be? Although not discussed here, the destination for those who reject God and Jesus as Lord and Saviour, is absence from God and His glory. It is eternal damnation. Make sure you know where you are headed!

Can the future be changed? That is the question which we need to research and study more about...I for one don't think it can. God knows the out come. As an eschatologist, one who studies the future or end history of man, it is imperative to know the past events of man. If we can not understand the past, we can not understand the future. Ask any eschatologist and they will tell you how important the understanding of God's past covenants with man are in understanding what the future of man is. Let us add to that the understanding of creation as well.

This paper could easily turn into a book, but that is not the intention. At least not at this point and time..."who knows!"

God Bless your study, and let me know what your results reveal to you.

footnote: This paper does not attempt to look at or approach the varied cultic questions concerning reincarnation, levels of heavenly achievement or anything but the Christian doctrine of creation. (See "TIME", written January 4, 1996.)