The Doctrine of Creation The Doctrine of Creation & Cosmology & Cosmology Robert C. Bishop Robert C. Bishop Wheaton College Wheaton College 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 1 1
Creator/Creature Distinction & Ex Creator/Creature Distinction & Ex Nihilo Creation Nihilo Creation 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 2 2
Sovereignty in Creation Sovereignty in Creation 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 3 3
Sovereignty in Creation Sovereignty in Creation • “ • “He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in” ” (Is 40:22b). (Is 40:22b). spreads them out like a tent to live in 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 4 4
Creation Action in Creation Is Creation Action in Creation Is Mediated Mediated 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 5 5
Creation Action in Creation Is Creation Action in Creation Is Mediated Mediated • God • God’ ’s action in creation is ministerial s action in creation is ministerial • Some parts of God • Some parts of God’ ’s creation empowered to serve s creation empowered to serve as mediators/ministers to other parts of creation as mediators/ministers to other parts of creation • God intends for creation to bring about some • God intends for creation to bring about some elements of creation elements of creation � “ � “Then God said, Then God said, ‘ ‘Let the earth bring forth Let the earth bring forth…’” …’” Gen. Gen. 1:11, 24 1:11, 24 • Not independently from God • Not independently from God’ ’s sustaining/guiding s sustaining/guiding action action 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 6 6
Purpose for Creation Purpose for Creation 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 7 7
Purpose for Creation Purpose for Creation • To exhibit His glory • To exhibit His glory • To serve as God • To serve as God’ ’s temple s temple • For creation to become genuinely itself • For creation to become genuinely itself • To populate creation with life • To populate creation with life • Gen. 1, Is. 45 • Gen. 1, Is. 45 • To have an arena for comprehensive • To have an arena for comprehensive redemption redemption 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 8 8
Creation, Salvation, Sanctification Creation, Salvation, Sanctification Parallel Parallel 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 9 9
Creation/Salvation/Sanctification Creation/Salvation/Sanctification Parallel Parallel • God creates/saves/sanctifies in space & • God creates/saves/sanctifies in space & time time • Gen. 1 • Gen. 1- -2; Ps. 139:13; Ezek. 37:1 2; Ps. 139:13; Ezek. 37:1- -14; Rom. 8:28 14; Rom. 8:28- - 30; 2 Cor Cor. 3:18; 2 . 3:18; 2 Cor Cor. 5:17 Eph. 1:11 . 5:17 Eph. 1:11- -12 12 30; 2 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 10 10
God Acts Patiently in Creation God Acts Patiently in Creation 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 11 11
Creation Has Functional Integrity Creation Has Functional Integrity 8/10/2009 8/10/2009 12 12
Recommend
More recommend