Truth and Beauty
 

Reflections About God, Creation and Truth 

 

God and creation

 

God 

God is one – there is no other God besides the Creator of the universe, the God of the spirits (souls) of all humanity, the redeemer and saviour. (Deuteronomy 6:4, 35, 39; Numbers 16:22; 27:16;  1 Samuel 2:2; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 43:10-13; 44:6; 54:5; Zechariah 14:9; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6.) 

 

Only God exists and everything else is in God – an extension of God’s mind and energy, a manifestation of God’s nature and character. God’s glory is manifested through the creation for those who have eyes to see. This, however, doesn't mean that everything is divine or containing God -- that would be pantheism, which is an incorrect concept (Psalm 19:1-4; 89:5; 50:6; 148:3; Romans 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Ephesians 4:6.) 

 

God is personal and a being, but divine emanations include being a life source and force, revelation and truth, spirit – both transcendent (above the creation) and immanent (within the creation). (Isaiah 40:28; Matthew 6:1-13, 25-33; John 1:18; 20:17; Romans 11:36). 

 

God is near (Acts 17:27-28). 

 

God's emanations fill the universe and nothing is hidden from God's eyes (Jeremiah 23:23-24; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:6-10; Colossians 3:11; Hebrews 4:13). 

 

God is constant and unchanging in certain attributes, such as love, mercy, grace, patience, truthfulness and faithfulness. He will not change his mind – his plans and purposes will stand, all his unconditional promises will be fulfilled. (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 23:19; Joshua 21:45; 23:14; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalm 33:11; 86:15; 89:34; 102:27; Isaiah 14:24; 46:10; Romans 9:11; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; 7:21; 13:8; James 1:17.) 

 

However, God is also dynamic, “learning”, responding to the actions of the creation to which he has granted a measure of free will, especially the actions, prayers, and even reasoning of humans. (Genesis 6:3-7; 18:22-32; 20:2-7; Exodus 32:14; Judges 6:36-40; 1 Samuel 15:11, 35; 2 Samuel 24:14-16; Jonah 3:3-10. Note that Exodus 3:14, “I am who I am” can also be translated “I will be what I will be.”) 

 

Creation 

Creation is the result of an aspect of God (Elohim) empowering and guiding through God-given wisdom, energy to bring forth all that exist. While laws are overall built into the creation, there is also a degree of free will that God placed into all that is. In the seemingly inanimate world, this is apparent at the sub-atomic level (quantum physics). The higher the level of creation, the less divine control – as God creates, God contracts or steps back. This results in more free will. Hence, humans, the highest form of earthly life and made in God’s image, have the greatest degree of free will. 

 

What exists has come through an evolutionary process, but not as a result of blind chance, but rather intelligent guidance. The wisdom that is the guiding principle behind all that exists has enabled new creatures to come into existence at certain times in the evolutionary history – there have been quantum leaps (such as the “Cambrian explosion”) rather than a gradual linear progression. Scientists are beginning to see the creation as not a machine, not even just a living organism, but rather more like a mind or thought that designs. What exist is 99% empty space, even though it appears solid. Creation includes the vast, unfathomable universe as well as invisible forces at sub-atomic level and all in between.  

 

Creation is a form of divine manifestation and diversification or individuation, to various extents having a mind of its own and following its own way. It is like the colours at the end of the rainbow. Humans, the highest form of the physical creation and made in God’s image with considerable free will, have chosen to go their own way, sinned and are in need of mercy (Rom 11:32; 3:9).  

 

Eventually, through a redemption and reconciliation process, all creation will all be brought into harmony and unity with God. This includes human beings as well as the whole universe. (Isaiah 11:4-10; 65:17-25; Romans 8:18-23; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:1-3). 

 

Truth 

Christ is the way or gate, the truth and the life (John 10:7, 14:6). 

The Word of God -- wherever encountered -- is truth (John 17:17). 

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth and guides into truth (John 16:13; 1 John 5:6). 

Objective truth includes the gospel of Jesus Christ regarding grace and salvation (Galatians 2:5, 14; Ephesians 1:13; 4:21; Colossians 1:6). 

The church is a pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). 

Knowledge of truth depends on divine revelation – God by grace gives awareness, opens eyes/mind and grants repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). 

Truth leads to freedom, spiritual birth, purification and godliness (John 18:32; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22; Titus 1:1). 

Truth is filtered through experience and the degree of individual revelation, and therefore is somewhat subjective. 

Truth is seen and understood only partially (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

Much of divine truth is unsearchable and a mystery (Isaiah 40:28; Romans 11:33-36; Job 5:9; 11:7; 36:26). 

The world doesn’t accept the Spirit of truth because it doesn’t see or know it (John 14:17) 

Truth is opposite to evil, sin, lies and darkness (Romans 2:8; 1 Corinthians 13:6; Hebrews 5:19; 1 John 1:6; 2:4). 

The Bible warns against rejecting, suppressing or wandering away from the truth (Romans 1:18, 25; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; James 5:19; 2 Tim 3:8; 4:4). 

 

© Eva Peck 2010