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Answer
The initial verse of the Bible holds significant meaning: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” «In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. », (Genesis 1:1, ESV). There are many lessons to be gleaned from this verse: Firstly, God is the supreme being, existing independently of time, space, and matter. Therefore, He cannot be equated with the universe. The universe is not God, and God is not the universe. God is God, transcending the created order. He is timeless as He is eternal «Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. », (1 Timothy 1:17). Additionally, He is omnipresent, not confined by space or matter (Psalm 139:7-12).
Secondly, God is the origin of all existence. In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew term for “created” is bārā’, exclusively used in contexts related to God cf: Exodus 34:10. When humans “create” something (such as poetry, music, or skyscrapers), we utilize preexisting materials. However, when God created the heavens and the earth, He did not rely on preexisting materials because before creation, only God existed.
Thirdly, God created the universe ex nihilo, meaning “out of nothing.” The NRSV interprets Genesis 1:1–2 as: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void.” This translation suggests that matter existed before God’s creative act. Conversely, the ESV translation provides a more accurate depiction of the initial verses: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void.” This may appear as unnecessary nitpicking.Getting, but it is crucial to emphasize that God created the universe ex nihilo.
Adherents of ancient pagan religions believed that their gods used pre-existing materials to mold and fashion the world. The Bible insists, however, that God brought everything into existence by the “word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3;cf: Genesis 1:1—2:3;John 1:1-4).
Fourth, the universe was not created in its final form. Genesis 1:2 states, “The earth was without form and void.” Initially, the universe was without form or shape, but God would soon mold it into something good and beautiful cf: Psalm 19:1. Humans also make things that are beautiful (let us think of Beethoven’s Third Symphony or Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa). Thus, to be created in the image of God partially involves a creative element (Genesis 1:26-27).
How should we respond to the doctrine of creation? First, God should be worshiped as the creator and sustainer of the universe: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28;cf: Job 12:10). This means that everyone is dependent upon God and accountable to Him «Now we know that whatever things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. », (Romans 3:19). We owe everything to God because, without Him, we would not exist. May we, therefore, dispel the lie that we are autonomous, independent, and self-sufficient.
Second, creation should not be viewed as inherently evil (as some pagan religions have taught). God is good, and creation reflects His goodness. Initially, evil did not exist. It was introduced intoThe universe was affected by creatures who misused their freedom (Genesis 3:1-24). However, God promised that our fallen world would be restored to perfection, and the children of God would one day dwell in the “new heavens and new earth” «And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. », (Revelation 21:1).
A proper understanding of Genesis 1:1 ensures that we give God all the glory, praise, and honor for creating and sustaining the universe. The appropriate response is to “present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] reasonable worship” (Romans 12:1;cf: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We were made by Him and for Him.
