Christian Beliefs About Creation (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Biblical Account of Creation

The Bible and Creation

• Christians believe that the bible (Genesis Chapter One) provides information about how the universe began

• Christians believe that God created the Earth and all living things on it

• The Genesis account describes the order in which the universe was created

• The first book of the bible (Genesis) is divided into three parts

  • Genesis 1 describes the creation of Heaven and Earth

  • Genesis 2 focuses on the creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve

  • In Genesis 3, Christians learn how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into the world

• Genesis explains to Christians a lot about the nature of God

  • God is the only creator

  • God existed before he created the world

  • The world was well planned and is sustained by God

  • God blessed creation, which means that all creation is holy

  • God created everything in Heaven and on Earth in six days

  • On the seventh day, God rested

Literal and Metaphorical Accounts of Creation

• Some Christians (Creationists / Literalists) believe that the biblical account of creation happened exactly as it was written

• Many Christians (Non-Literalists) believe that although it may not be scientifically accurate, the account contains religious truth, and the important part is that God caused it to happen by choice

The Role of the Word & the Spirit in Creation

The Word in Creation

• The bible introduces the idea that the universe was created at a command from God or his ‘Word’

  • The account of Creation is mentioned in the Gospel of John

    • John starts his Gospel with the words, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1)

    • John uses ‘the Word’ to refer to Jesus, showing that he was present at the Creation of the universe

The Spirit in Creation

• The bible also shows the power of God in creating the universe and the role of the ‘Spirit’ of God

  • Genesis 1 states that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters

    • For Christians, it was the Spirit of God that created the universe out of nothing

    • This is important because it shows that God is omnipotent and the source of all life

    • It also shows that the concept of the Holy Spirit has been part of the universe since the beginning of time

The Importance of the Word and Spirit in Creation

• The presence of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit at the time of Creation is very significant to Christians

• It underlines the importance of the Trinity and indicates that it has existed since the beginning of time

The Importance of Creation for Christians Today

Why is the account of Creation important to Christians?

• Christians believe that the story of creation has significance relating to the nature of God and His relationship with humans

  • It tells Christians that God is the one and only, omnipotent Creator 

  • God created a universe that was ordered, not chaotic 

  • Humans are made in God’s image

  • Humans have been given authority over the rest of the created world

• The Creation story also influences how Christians live their lives

  • The universe was not created by chance; therefore human lives have meaning and purpose

  • Because humans were made in God’s image, we should remember that all human life has potential, and we should follow the Golden Rule

  • Our dominion over living creatures means we have a responsibility to treat everyone equally and to show all created beings, human and non-human, love and respect

    • This idea is known as stewardship