Thinking Theologically
About Creation
Let's Look Back
You may be very familiar with Genesis 1, but let’s review it with the help of this Bible Project commentary video:
Notice how the Bible Project video points out that the creation story is about God taking the wild and waste (or formless and void) primordial chaotic waters of un-creation and bringing his loving order, goodness, and life-giving potential to bear upon it.
But God is not just making a beautiful world for no reason; rather, he is directing creation toward the goal of relationship with humanity.
Did you also notice how specifically the creation story climaxes with Sabbath?
The following quote emphasizes how Sabbath highlights the ultimate purpose of creation: which is to provide a space where God and people can come together in relationship.
“The Sabbath is that point in time where God and man meet. On the seventh day of creation, God joined himself and his eternal presence to his temporal creation, to the world of man. ... [Practicing the Sabbath reminds us of the] final phase of the divine/human reconciliation. In pointing back to the beginning, the Sabbath also points to what is yet to be, to the final destiny to which all creation is moving.”
Did you see it? The goal of creation is Sabbath relationship.
Keep this theme in mind as you watch Nikolas explain the idea of what it means to be made in God’s image and how creation itself is a space made especially for this purpose:
Think about it and Respond:
- If God has made you an image bearer, where in your life is He calling you to live out the character of God?
- Where in your life do you need to live out God’s compassion and love (or some other attribute)?
You Did it!
Congratulations on finishing this lesson!
If you feel like you are ready to take a quiz to review what you have learned in this lesson, go on to the next step. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to review the last few topics again.