Chapter 4: Of Creation

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Summary

This week’s Sunday School examines Chapter Four of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Of Creation. Having considered God’s eternal decree in Chapter Three, the class turns to the accomplishment of His purposes in the creation of the world. The discussion focuses on the two paragraphs of the Confession, which teach that the triune God freely created all things, visible and invisible, out of nothing, for the manifestation of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness.

The class begins by considering how Scripture reveals the involvement of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in creation. From the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis to John’s declaration that all things were made through the eternal Word, creation is understood as the work of the one triune God. The beauty, order, complexity, and abundance of the created world reveal something of God’s character and provide countless reasons to glorify Him.

Particular attention is given to the Confession’s language concerning creation in the space of six days. The discussion considers the importance of receiving Scripture as God’s authoritative revelation while exercising humility concerning questions that faithful Christians have approached differently. The class emphasizes that the essential truths of the doctrine are that God alone created all things, that He created out of nothing by His powerful Word, that creation was originally very good, and that everything exists for His glory.

The second paragraph turns to the creation of humanity in God’s image. The class considers both the dignity and humility of our creation: human beings are uniquely made in God’s likeness, yet formed from the dust of the ground and entirely dependent upon Him. The creation of male and female together represents the culmination of God’s creative work and establishes the dignity and significance of both.

Ultimately, the lesson reminds us that creation is not merely an event in the distant past but an ongoing testimony to the majesty and goodness of God. Whether contemplating the vastness of the universe, the intricate design of living creatures, or the dignity of human beings made in His image, believers are called to respond with wonder, thanksgiving, and worship.

Knowledge Points

1. Westminster Confession of Faith – Chapter 4: Of Creation

God’s Purpose in Creation (Paragraph 1)

• The Confession teaches that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the world and everything in it for the manifestation of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness.
• Creation was not necessary to complete or fulfill God. As considered in Chapter Two, God is eternally self-sufficient and did not create because He was lonely or lacked anything.
• God created freely, according to His own will and for His own glory.
• All things were created out of nothing. There was no preexisting matter independent of God from which He fashioned the universe.
• The Confession describes creation as taking place “in the space of six days” and affirms that everything God originally made was very good.
• Although creation has been affected by the Fall, it remains God’s creation and continues to testify to His goodness and glory.

2. The Triune God as Creator

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Creation

• Genesis 1:1 declares that God created the heavens and the earth, establishing Him as the source of everything that exists.
• Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirit of God hovering over the waters, revealing the Spirit’s presence and activity in creation.
• John 1:1–3 identifies the eternal Word, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ, as the one through whom all things were made.
• Scripture also repeatedly celebrates the LORD as Creator, particularly in the Psalms.
• The doctrine of creation therefore reflects the doctrine of the Trinity considered in Chapter Two. Creation is the work of the one God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Creation Reveals God’s Attributes

• The created world manifests God’s wisdom, power, goodness, creativity, and order.
• The remarkable variety of living creatures demonstrates the abundance and intricacy of God’s creative work.
• The regularity of the seasons, the order of the heavens, and the interdependence of living systems reflect the wisdom of their Creator.
• Creation also displays extraordinary abundance and beauty beyond what is strictly necessary for human survival.
• The proper response to these things is not merely admiration for nature but worship of the God whose glory nature reveals.

3. Creation and the Glory of God

Psalm 104 and the Goodness of Creation

• Psalm 104 celebrates God’s creative power and His continuing provision for the creatures He has made.
• The class considers the Psalm’s references to bread, oil, and wine as examples of God’s provision through both creation and human labor.
• These things do not ordinarily appear in their finished forms in nature. Human beings cultivate, prepare, and transform the materials God has provided.
• Our ability to work creatively with creation is itself a gift from God.
• Human ingenuity should therefore lead us to gratitude rather than pride, recognizing that God provides both the materials and the abilities through which we enjoy His gifts.

The Abundance and Variety of Creation

• The class reflects on the remarkable diversity of living creatures, including the unusual characteristics of giraffes and other animals.
• The complexity of biological systems and the order of the natural world invite reflection upon God’s wisdom.
• God’s creativity is evident not only in extraordinary differences but also in the regularity and repetition found throughout creation.
• Even the variety of flavors, colors, and experiences that make life enjoyable testifies to God’s generosity.
• The vastness of the universe and the intricate complexity of the smallest living things remind us of our limitations and the greatness of the Creator.
• The purpose of contemplating creation is ultimately to glorify God, whose wisdom and power far exceed our understanding.

4. Creation in the Space of Six Days

The Language of the Confession

• Westminster Confession of Faith 4.1 states that God created all things “in the space of six days; and all very good.”
• The class considers why the Westminster divines used this language rather than providing a more detailed explanation of the duration and mechanics of creation.
• The discussion emphasizes the importance of allowing Scripture to speak on its own terms without unnecessarily extending its language beyond what it reveals.
• The Hebrew word yom, translated “day,” can refer to a normal day, the daylight portion of a day, or a broader period, depending upon its context.
• The repeated references to evening and morning in Genesis 1 are important considerations in interpreting the creation account.
• The instructor expresses a preference for the straightforward reading of Genesis as describing ordinary days while acknowledging that faithful Christians have differed in their understanding of certain details.

The Authority of Scripture in Understanding Creation

• The Confession’s doctrine of creation must be understood in light of Chapter One, which establishes Scripture as the authoritative revelation of God.
• God is the author of both Scripture and creation. Therefore, His revelation in Scripture and the truths of the created world cannot ultimately contradict one another.
• Apparent conflicts may arise because we have misunderstood Scripture, misunderstood the natural world, or failed to understand how the two relate.
• Christians should approach such questions with humility, recognizing the limitations of human knowledge.
• The class also reflects on how Christians throughout Church history have wrestled with the interpretation of the creation account.
• Whatever questions remain concerning the precise manner or duration of creation, the Confession directs our attention to its foundational truths: God alone created all things by His Word, out of nothing, for His glory, and declared His creation very good.

5. The Creation of Visible and Invisible Things

God Created All Things

• The Confession explicitly affirms that God created everything, “whether visible or invisible.”
• Creation includes not only the physical universe but also the unseen spiritual realm.
• Angels and other spiritual beings are creatures of God, not independent or eternal powers.
• The invisible creation reminds us that reality extends beyond what human beings can observe or measure.
• Just as the vastness of the physical universe exceeds our comprehension, the spiritual realm reveals further dimensions of God’s creative power.

Receiving the Whole Counsel of God

• The discussion considers how people are often tempted to accept the portions of Scripture that appeal to them while setting aside teachings they find uncomfortable.
• Some prefer the moral instructions of Scripture while rejecting its supernatural claims. Others are fascinated by spiritual realities but resist God’s moral authority.
• Both approaches place human preferences above divine revelation.
• Faithfulness requires receiving God’s Word as He has given it, including truths that challenge our assumptions.
• The doctrine of creation reminds us that God defines reality. Our task is to understand and receive His revelation rather than reshape Him according to our preferences.

6. The Creation of Humanity in God’s Image

The Dignity and Humility of Human Creation (Paragraph 2)

• The Confession teaches that after making all other creatures, God created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls.
• Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God, possessing a dignity not attributed to the other creatures.
• Genesis 1:26–27 establishes that humanity was made in God’s image, while Genesis 2 describes Adam being formed from the dust of the ground.
• These truths are both exalting and humbling. We bear the image of our Creator, yet we are creatures formed from the earth and entirely dependent upon Him.
• The dignity of humanity does not arise from our independence, power, or accomplishments but from God’s gracious decision to make us in His likeness.

Male and Female as the Culmination of Creation

• Genesis 1 presents the creation of humanity as male and female, both bearing the image of God.
• The class emphasizes that neither sex possesses greater dignity as an image-bearer.
• The creation of male and female together reflects God’s wise design for humanity and the goodness of human relationships.
• Genesis 2 further develops the account of humanity’s creation, including the formation of the woman and the institution of marriage.
• The discussion also recognizes that Scripture affirms the goodness of singleness and the opportunities it provides for service to God in the present age.
• Both marriage and singleness are to be understood in relation to God’s purposes and the calling of believers to glorify Him.

7. Humanity’s Original Condition and Purpose

Created for Communion with God

• Westminster Confession of Faith 4.2 teaches that humanity was originally created with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after God’s own image.
• Adam and Eve were given the law of God written upon their hearts and the ability to fulfill it.
• They were also placed under God’s command concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
• Humanity was created with genuine moral responsibility, capable of obedience yet also capable of transgression.
• The original condition of humanity was one of goodness, fellowship with God, and harmony within the created order.

The Purpose of Human Life

• As image-bearers, human beings were created to know God, live in obedience to Him, and exercise responsible dominion over His creation.
• The abilities to reason, create, cultivate, and enjoy the world are gifts intended to be exercised for God’s glory.
• The Fall profoundly affected humanity and the created order, but it did not erase the fundamental truth that we are God’s creatures.
• Our proper response to creation is therefore both gratitude for God’s gifts and humility before the One who made us.