Why Created Universe Matters for Believers

What is created universe?

The biblical concept of the 'created universe' underscores God’s act of calling all existence into being through divine will.

Central to this doctrine is the belief that the cosmos exists solely by God’s power, as affirmed in Genesis 1:1: 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.' This teaching of creation ex nihilo - 'out of nothing' - highlights the universe’s total dependence on its Creator for both origin and ongoing sustenance, distinguishing it from ancient cosmologies that posited eternal or self-generated matter.

Genesis 1:1 serves as the theological cornerstone for this framework, asserting that time, space, and all material reality emerged through God’s spoken decree. While the verse does not elaborate on the mechanics of creation, it establishes a clear boundary between Creator and creation, grounding Christian theology in the supremacy of divine authority over all existence. This foundational truth paves the way for understanding humanity’s purpose within a cosmos intentionally designed by a personal God.

Genesis 1:1 and the Framework of Creation

Genesis 1:1 establishes the universe as God’s intentional act of creation, distinct from eternal or self-generated material frameworks.

The verse declares, 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,' asserting a temporal origin for all reality under divine authority. This contrasts with pantheistic views that equate God with the cosmos or naturalistic models that posit uncaused material emergence. By framing creation as a deliberate act, Scripture rejects the notion of an eternal, uncreated universe while affirming God’s transcendence over His creation. Though the verse offers no mechanistic explanation, it provides a theological foundation for understanding the cosmos as dependent on its Creator.

Ancient Near Eastern myths often depicted creation as the result of divine conflict or the reordering of preexisting chaos, as seen in Mesopotamian texts. The biblical account, however, uniquely presents creation ex nihilo - bringing order from absolute nothingness - which underscores God’s sovereignty and the universe’s total reliance on His will.

This framework shapes Christian theology by grounding the cosmos in a purposeful act of divine love. It distinguishes Scripture from cosmologies that reduce existence to chance or cyclical processes, while setting the stage for exploring humanity’s role within a created order. The implications of this doctrine ripple through biblical teachings on stewardship, morality, and eschatological restoration.

Biblical Cosmology and the Created Order

Scripture portrays the cosmos as a divinely ordered creation with humanity entrusted to steward its resources and reflect God’s image.

Genesis 1:26-28 emphasizes humanity’s unique role, declaring, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness... and have dominion over... the earth,' establishing a mandate for responsible stewardship within a purposeful creation. Colossians 1:16 expands this framework, asserting that 'all things were created by Jesus... whether things on earth or things in heaven,' positioning Christ as the cosmic mediator through whom the universe was formed. While biblical cosmology presents a theocentric order, modern scientific models often challenge its literal framework, prompting cautious engagement rather than definitive reconciliation.

This interplay between divine intention and empirical inquiry underscores the complexity of interpreting Scripture’s cosmic vision, while pointing toward humanity’s enduring responsibility to honor creation as a reflection of its Maker.

Why Created Universe Matters Today

The belief that the universe was created has important effects on modern debates and moral responsibilities.

Environmental stewardship finds its foundation in the recognition that the cosmos is God’s good creation, entrusted to human care (Gen 1:28), challenging exploitative attitudes toward nature. The search for extraterrestrial life invites reflection on whether divine creation implies unique human purpose within the universe or broader manifestations of God’s design. These doctrines also shape science-faith dialogue, affirming that creation ex nihilo provides a framework for exploring cosmic origins without reducing existence to materialism.

By affirming the material world as God’s good creation, this doctrine encourages a hopeful vision of redemption, where scientific inquiry and theological reflection can coexist in seeking truth. This perspective prepares readers to explore how creation’s purpose shapes human vocation and divine relationships in the following sections.

Going Deeper

The theological concept of a created universe, rooted in Genesis 1:1, invites deeper reflection on God’s sovereignty and the cosmos’ dependence on Him. To explore further, consult commentaries on Genesis (e.g., John Calvin’s *Institutes*) and systematic theology texts (e.g., Wayne Grudem’s *Systematic Theology*).

Scholarly debates on creation ex nihilo, notably Augustine’s *City of God*, provide historical and contemporary perspectives, enriching your grasp of this doctrine’s enduring significance and its implications for faith and science dialogue.