Introduction
Creation accounts are stories or teachings that explain how the world and human beings came into existence. They are not only about what happened, but also about the meaning behind creation. They help believers understand what God is like and how humans should live in relationship with Him.
In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), creation accounts show that the world was made by one God, who is powerful, wise, and caring. These accounts are very important because they help believers to answer big questions such as: Why are we here? What is our purpose?
The Jewish and Christian Account of Creation
The Jewish and Christian creation story is found in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Genesis describes how God created the heavens and the earth in six “days” and rested on the seventh.
Day 1: Light and darkness
Day 2: Sky and waters
Day 3: Land, seas, and plants
Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars
Day 5: Fish and birds
Day 6: Animals and humans
Day 7: God rested and blessed this day (Sabbath)
This account teaches two very important things about God:
Omnipotence (all-powerful): God creates simply by speaking things into existence (“Let there be light…”). This shows His complete power over creation.
Omnibenevolence (all-loving): Everything God creates is described as “good,” showing that creation was made for humans to enjoy and look after.
The first verse of the Bible says:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
This reminds Christians and Jews that God is the ultimate source of everything that exists.
For Christians, this story also shows that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This gives human beings dignity, purpose, and responsibility — for example, to care for creation as stewards.
The Islamic Account of Creation
The Islamic creation story is found in the Qur’an. Muslims believe that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six periods (not necessarily six literal days). The Qur’an emphasises that Allah did not become tired or need to rest — His power is unlimited.
Human beings were made from clay, and the first human, Adam, is also considered the first prophet in Islam.
Like the Bible, the Qur’an teaches that Adam was given responsibility to look after the earth.
This account reminds Muslims of two important qualities of Allah:
Power (Qadr): Allah is all-powerful and controls everything in the universe.
Wisdom (Hikmah): Allah created the world with order and purpose.
Key Ideas for all three religions
God is the creator of the universe.
Creation shows God’s power and goodness.
Humans have a special role in creation: to care for the world and live in obedience to God.
These stories are not only about history but also about teaching lessons on how believers should live.
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