In the Beginning … Creation

Abstract

The creative activities involved all members of the Godhead. A possible delineation of their
roles was investigated. Further, a rationale for creation was sought given knowledge that the
progenitors of the race would betray their trust.
The historical-grammatical approach was used in textual understanding. The Genesis account
was compared with parallel passages and this was combined with variants in word meanings
and was contrasted with the message conveyed by other passages. An understanding of God’s
character and the defining features of His government were used to answer the second
research question.
Accounts given by the apostle John and those recorded at Jesus’ baptism and at the preadvent judgment described by Daniel suggests that at creation the Father spoke, the Son
initiated the creative acts, and the Spirit performed an organizational and activating role. The
cooperative activities of the members of the Godhead illustrate the reality of the operation of
love (agape type) from the beginning. Further analysis showed that the creation of this world
represented an expression and the triumph of love in the face of knowledge that humans
would fail in the trust given them. Love also explains how the foundational elements of
God’s character and government fit together—concepts of righteousness, justice, truth, mercy
and faithfulness— and hence illustrates how human salvation (recreation) is possible.
Creation is seen as a planned event dashing the claims of evolution that existence preceded
essence. The existence of a widespread sense of right and wrong, of human sexuality, of the
amazing analytical and creative capacity of the human mind speaks that essence preceded
existence. This is confirmed by the day to day experiences of those who permit God to
undertake the recreation of His character image in them. Further research on the questions
raised is merited.