16 - Erikson - God's Originating Work: Creation

Question 1

What are the reasons for studying the Doctrine of Creation?

Answer 1

1. The Bible places great significance on it
2. It plays a significant part of the church’s faith, ie. Apostles’ Creed
3. It affects our understanding of other doctrines
4. It helps differentiate Christianity from other religions and worldviews
5. It is one point of potential dialogue between Christianity and natural science
6. There have been sharp disagreements within Christian circles

Question 2

What are the elements of the Biblical teaching on creation?

Answer 2

1. Creation out of nothing
2. Its all inclusive nature
3. Rejection of dualism
4. The work of the Triune God
5. The purpose of creation is God’s glory

Question 3

What are the theological meanings of the doctrine of creation?

Answer 3

1. There is no ultimate reality other than God.
2. the original act of divine creation is unique.
3. Nothing made is intrinsically evil.
4. There is responsibility on the human race. Human sin is an exercise of human freedom.
5. It guards against depreciating the incarnation of Christ.
6. There is a connection and an affinity to various parts of creation.
7. It excludes the type of monism that regards the world as an emanation from God.

Question 4

What are some attempts to reconcile the age of the earth with the Biblical material?

Answer 4

1. The gap theory
2. The flood theory
3. The ideal-time theory
4. The age-day theory
5. The pictorial-day theory
6. The revelatory day theory

Question 5

What is the view termed “theistic evolution”?

Answer 5

God created in a direct fashion at the beginning of the process, and ever since has worked from within through evolution.

Question 6

What is the view termed “progressive creationism”?

Answer 6

God created in a series of acts over a long period of time.

Question 7

What is the argument for intelligent design?

Answer 7

The contention that the possibility of the complexity of nature having arisen purely by chance is very low.

Question 8

What are the implications of the doctrine of creation?

Answer 8

1. Everything that exists has value.
2. God’s creative activity includes not only the initial creative activity, but also his later indirect workings.
3. There is justification for scientifically investigating the creation.
4. Nothing other than God is self-sufficient or eternal.