“Universe” means “the whole thing.” It is shorthand for every world, every speck of cosmic dust, every rock, every four-legged creature, every human being, every gamma ray and photon that exist anywhere. Put it all together and you have “universe.”
It was God who put it all together. He “fashioned” it. He conceived it and then willed it into being. “Let there be light,” he said, “and there was light.” We all know the opening words of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Hebrew word for “create” does not mean merely the rearrangement of matter. It is not the idea of a potter shaping clay or a woodworker building a cabinet. No construction worker ever said, “Let there be wood.” To create, in the most fundamental sense, means to bring into existence.
From Aristotle to the 20th century, people have thought that the universe was eternal, or at least that the stuff of which it is made has always existed. Then 20th century astrophysicists began seeing in the stars evidence of a distinct beginning, a time when the very existence of the universe began, which is hard for us to imagine. But it is both the emerging scientific consensus today and the clear assertion of Scripture: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Something out of nothing.
Is it a stretch for us to believe that there is a being who can create something out of nothing? Of course it is. In fact, it is more than a stretch, because our minds can’t conceive of God’s greatness. But this power of God is exactly what gives us hope.
Countless people have said that when they experienced some utterly hopeless situation, God brought something out of it. Because he is the Creator, there is always hope that utterly new and unexpected things can happen.
Because the creation came out of nothing (ex nihilo), then everything that exists comes from God’s creative act, though the corruptions and sicknesses that have crept in since then are not his creation. This is very important. God did not and cannot create evil. God is not in favor of corruption. He doesn’t like animosity or war or cancer. That is the way things have become, but it is not the way things were created.
this statement is the most detailed yet simplistic, in depth yet crystal clear explanation about the power of God I have ever heard. The Truth is very simple – it is only man thinking themselves “intelligent” that need to have long words to say about anything and everything. I only say – “look a the Scriptures – God did not inspire man to speak long words or use complicated calculus. What is simply “is”. My greatest difficulty is understanding why others find it so hard.
Well done that person who wrote these words. Wonderful, true and non-complex understanding of God and His awesomeness.
You’re right, Jeannette. The existence of God should be obvious to all. Or, as Paul puts it in Romans, “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (1:20). Yet God does not force us to believe. He wants true faith.
This is a wonderful comparison: namely, the fact that God created the universe from nothing and therefore can create meaning out of an empty life.
This is thought provocking and an eye opener to the fact that there is no situation that is hopeless. Things that are seen are made of things that are not seen. Glory to Jesus.
This is thought provocking and an eye opener to the fact that there is no situation that is hopeless. Things that are seen are made of things that are not seen. Glory to Jesus.
But according the word of God, in the book of isaiah 54:16; Behold , I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth instrument for his work and I have created the waster to destroy.
My own believe is that nothing happen without is consent, HE said can evil happen in the land without HIS consent. God create evil and good, and use them to achieve is purpose. Thanks
I should not be so surprised that so very many people refuse to accept God as the creator of everything, from nothing. This is due in part to the work of Satan, but also man’s belief that he, mankind, has all the answers and certainly knows best. How very foolish. If God did not have a LOVE that is so woderful that we cannot understand it, we, some of the lowest of His creation, would have long ago have been wiped from this earth. Lord God thank You for Your love, Your great power, Your perfect will, Your grace toward mankind. We are not worth it, but only by Your grace and love do we receive it. Help me to speak and act toward all others with your style of love, give me, thru the Holy Spirit, the wisdom to speak words, live my life, worship You in ways that will help turn one, or many, to find You as their One true living God.
Playing devils-advocate here:
God may not have created the evil that is prevalent today, but what’s to stop an unbeliever from saying, “Since God is ‘all knowing’ He knew that evil would become rampant. Since He knew that His creation would become evil, doesn’t it come back to Him? That He ultimately created it?? He did create Lucifer, after all.”
Just a thought…. Any replies?
Interesting and amazing that astrophysicist Stephen Hawking came to the conclusion that the universe came into existence out of nothing, yet he thinks that now everything can be explained without a need for God. He didn’t rule out that God exists, simply that He’s unnecessary. Which takes more faith? Christians believe the answer is clear.
Dear Mel, beautifully said. Our God who makes things out of nothing. It blows our minds, but aren’t we in awe when admiring an spectacular sunset all the same? I think God will keep amazing us even when we all reach to the other side.
I suspect that all matter and all energy are literally God, since HE IS, similar to energy and matter which cannot be destroyed. Per the argument that God created evil, I submit that God created mankind so that God Himself could be adored. In order for mankind’s adoration to have any meaning, mankind had to be given free will. In doing so, God fore knew that man would put himself before God, which is the heart of all evil. Though God knew man would choose evil, God provided a solution for man – which is HIMSELF – JESUS CHRIST,
So – we are FROM HIM, to CHOOSE HIM, when we FAIL HIM, we LOSE HIM, when we RETURN TO HIM, we live IN HIM, and THROUGH HIM, and all of this FOR HIM. “Every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord”!