Creation

Introduction

Creation accounts explain how the world and humanity came into being. For Christians, the Creation story is very important because it shows God’s power, goodness, and His relationship with human beings.

The Christian Account of Creation

The Christian account of Creation is found in the Book of Genesis, at the very beginning of the Bible. Genesis describes how God created the heavens and the earth. He separated light from darkness, formed the land and seas, and filled the world with plants, animals, and humans.

This account teaches that God is omnipotent (all-powerful), because He created the universe out of nothing (ex nihilo). It also shows that He is omnibenevolent (all-loving), because everything He created was good and provided for human beings.

The Bible begins with the words:

• “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

This shows that God is the ultimate Creator of everything that exists. For Christians, the Creation story helps them understand that life is a gift from God, and that humans have a special responsibility to look after the world He made (this responsibility is called stewardship).

The Days of Creation (Genesis 1)

Day 1

• God creates light, separating light from darkness.

• He calls the light day and the darkness night.

• At the end: “And God saw that it was good.”

Day 2

• God creates the sky, separating the waters above from the waters below.

• At the end: “And God saw that it was good.”

Day 3

• God creates land and seas.

• He makes the earth produce plants, trees, and vegetation.

• At the end: “And God saw that it was good.”

Day 4

• God creates the sun, moon, and stars to give light and mark days, seasons, and years.

• At the end: “And God saw that it was good.”

Day 5

• God creates fish and sea creatures for the waters.

• He creates birds for the sky.

• God blesses them to “be fruitful and multiply.”

• At the end: “And God saw that it was good.”

Day 6

• God creates animals on the land.

• God then creates human beings (male and female) in His image, giving them authority over the earth and all living things.

• God blesses them to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.”

• At the end: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (different from the other days).

Day 7

• God rests from His work.

• He blesses and makes holy the seventh day as a day of rest (Sabbath).