Ps95:1-7 One Foundation: Creation
(Please see PDF link below)
## One Foundation (1) # Creation
[(Elbing Catechism)](https://archive.org/details/catechismorbrief00elbi) [(Workbook)](https://archive.org/details/catechismworkboo00unse)
--- ## Who is **God**?
*(theology)*
## Who are **we**?
*(anthropology)*
## How are we **saved**?
*(soteriology)*
>>> + **audience**: Christians, believe Bible + want to know **clearly**
the core of what we believe + no **shame** in this + even for long-time Christians! --- # Commitment
⇒ Learning
⇒ Reorienting >>> + made **commitment** to Christ, but now + grow in **learning** what that means + and **orienting** our lives around it + **wedding** only 1 day + **marriage** is for a lifetime --- [Paul] **witnessed** to them
from morning till evening,
**explaining** about the kingdom of God
Acts 28:23 (NIV)
>>> + *"witness"* (ἐξετίθετο): **lay out** clearly + God's truth is center of bulls-eye + **sin** is all **else**: deviate from truth + often more **intrst** to learn **cults** + useful to keep us **grounded**: + What if I **relax** this tenet of faith? + How do (JW, Mormons, Muslims, Sikh, Hindu, etc.) **deviate**? + but an **infinitude** of falsehoods + only **one** truth + Hence why **creeds** can be handy: ---
[Apostle's Creed](http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Apostles%27_Creed), ~700 and as early as 200
[![Apostle's Creed](static/img/Partrishow-Apostles_Creed.jpg)](http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Apostles%27_Creed)
[Nicene Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed), 325
[![Nicene Creed](static/img/Nicaean_Council.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed)
>>> + **Creed** (confession of faith): + short summary of beliefs + **specific** to needs of the day: + controversies, heresies + e.g., Nicene is quite **ecumenical**: + Catholic, E. Orthodox + **Mennonite**: Dordrecht Confess. 1632 + emphasised read whole **Bible** + not **memorising** creeds ---
[Elbing Catechism in NA, 1824](http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Elbing_Catechism)
(Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online)
[![Elbing Catechism in German](static/img/Elbing_1824.jpg)](http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Elbing_Catechism)
[Mennonite Catechism of 1934](https://archive.org/details/catechismorbrief00elbi)
(Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Library)
[![Mennonite Catechism](static/img/Catechism_1934.png)](https://archive.org/details/catechismorbrief00elbi)
>>> + **Catechism**: Q+A for young Chr + although often **memorised**, + orig. intent is **interactive** dialogue + Elbing, Prussia 1778: widely adopted by Amish + Mennonites + We roughly follow **1934 booklet**: + organises 218 Q's into **outline** + 1951 [workbook](https://archive.org/details/catechismworkboo00unse) for 6-week course --- ## One Foundation
(Elbing)
1. **Creation** (who *God* is)
(wk 1)
1. **Fall** (who *we* are)
(wk 2)
1. **Redemption** (how we are *saved*) 1. Divine **Provision**
(wk 2-3)
1. Human **Response** + **Faith** in Christ
(wk 3-4)
+ **Life** and Conduct
(wk 4)
1. **Consummation**
(wk 4-5)
>>> + Main points: creation, fall, redemption + we'll get to **anabaptism**, etc. + caution: **outline** struct is content, too! + crafted by men, prone to **revision** + why Menno. **avoid** + **lots** of Qs in our **response**, life and **conduct** + incl. Mennonite **pacifism**, rules on marriage, etc. --- ## The Chief Aim of Man + Q1: What should be our **chief aim** in this life? + A: To live in God's **fellowship**,
enjoy His **favour**,
and obtain eternal **happiness** thereafter. >>> + First Q of the Elbing **catechism** + *"fellowship"*: close **relationship** + *"favour"*: implies **obedience** + *"happiness"*: but Q2 adds we still need to provide for needs of **body** + while seeking first His **kingdom** + I feel Jesus has even better summary: --- You shall **love** the Lord your God
with all your **heart**
and with all your **soul**
and with all your **mind**. You shall **love** your **neighbour** as yourself.
Matthew 22:37,39 (ESV)
>>> + Love **God**, love your **neighbour** + But love **defined** by God, not us + in order to truly **love**: + need to **know** who God is + so today focuses on part 1: + who is **God**? --- ## Outline for today: Creation 1. God the **Creator** 1. Revealed in His **Works** 1. Revealed in His **Word** 1. God as **Trinity** 1. God's **Creation** 1. Creation of **Man** 1. Creation of **Angels** 1. God the **Sustainer** >>> + Creation is **foundation** Bible uses + to **reveal** God and show + why He has **authority** + Starting from very **first** verse: --- In the **beginning** God created
the **heavens** and the **earth**.
Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
>>> + Created **time** + **space** + e.g., physical universe not **eternal** + Implies God **pre-existing** + un-created + e.g., manufacturer of **car** + **How** do we know God is the Creator? + God's **works** (nature, conscience) + God's **word** (Scripture) testify: --- But ask the **animals**, and they will teach you,
or the **birds** in the sky, and they will tell you;
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or speak to the **earth**, and it will teach you,
or let the **fish** in the sea inform you.
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Which of all these does not **know**
that the **hand of the Lord** has done this?
Job 12:7-9 (NIV)
>>> + It is Biblical to study **science**! + zoology, ornithology, geology, marine biology + All these **point** to the Creator + Even our own **consciences** testify: --- For since the **creation** of the world His **invisible** attributes,
His eternal **power** and divine **nature**, have been **clearly** seen, being understood
through what has been **made**, so that they are **without excuse**.
Romans 1:20 (NASB)
>>> + **invisible** (unprovable) attribs: + beyond **time** + **physical** world + But they are made **visible** through + **created** things, from beg of **time** + v19 God made it **evident** (plain) + not vague, **unknowable** (*agnostic*) + ⇒ to say God doesn't **exist** is to + **willfully** reject revealed evid. + ⇒ **onus** of proof is on **atheist**! --- ## One Foundation: *Creation* 1. God the Creator 1. Revealed in His Works 1. **Revealed in His Word** 1. God as Trinity 1. God's Creation 1. Creation of Man 1. Creation of Angels 1. God the Sustainer >>> + OK, so He's **powerful** Creator + But what about God's **character**? + is He **cruel**, uncaring, selfish? + What is tesimony of **Scripture**? --- The LORD, the LORD God,
**compassionate** and gracious, [...]
7
who keeps **lovingkindness** for thousands,
who **forgives** iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means
leave the **guilty** unpunished
Exodus 34:6-7 (NASB)
>>> + **Greek**/Norse gods: *super-hero* myth + merely **elevated men** + Nietzche's aspirational *"Übermensch"* + **self**-made improvement + rather than **external** God + Biblical theme: **justice** + **mercy** + But that's just one **interpretation**? + How can we know what the Bible really **means**? --- No **prophecy** of Scripture
is a matter of one’s own **interpretation**,
21
for no prophecy was ever made
by an act of **human will**, but men **moved** by the Holy Spirit
**spoke** from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)
>>> + **purpose** of Scripture: + make **known** God's will + not deliberately **obfuscate** + sometimes our **brains** not there yet + ⇒ need to **study** in more detail + or our **spirits** unwilling to accept + ⇒ Spirit lifts **veil** *(2Cor3)* --- # What is my **attitude** toward **creation**? >>> + Does it **matter**? + "Maybe God created the world, + "maybe not, it doesn't matter, + "I can still be a Christian, right?" --- ## One Foundation: *Creation* 1. God the Creator 1. Revealed in His Works 1. Revealed in His Word 1. **God as Trinity** 1. God's Creation 1. Creation of Man 1. Creation of Angels 1. God the Sustainer >>> + term "**Trinity**" not in Bible + Tertullian, 3rd c.: one in **essence** (ὁμο-ούσιος), not in person + but **Jesus** did say: --- Go therefore
and make **disciples** of all the nations,
**baptizing** them in the name of
the **Father** and the **Son** and the **Holy Spirit**
Matthew 28:19 (NASB)
>>> + not that Son was **created** or lesser + cf *Arianism* (⇒ Nicene creed) + not **3 Gods** + cf **Islam**: reject Christ as God + but what are their particular **characteristics**? --- May the **grace** of the Lord **Jesus** Christ,
and the **love** of **God**,
and the **fellowship** of the **Holy Spirit**
be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
>>> + *Father*: **Creator**, judge, mercy: **love** + *Son*: **Redeemer**, high priest, sacrifice: + **grace** + *HS*: **Comforter**, presence, unity: + **fellowship** + our Advocate: --- When the **Advocate** comes,
whom I will **send** to you from the Father --
the **Spirit of truth**
who **goes out** from the Father --
he will **testify** about me.
John 15:26 (NIV)
>>> + *"Advocate"* (παράκλητος): + called **alongside** + encourager, **comforter**, helper + *testify* (μαρτυρήσει) about Jesus + *sent* by **Jesus** + *goes out* from the **Father** --- # Is God a **person**
or a **force**? # Who is **Jesus**? # The **Holy Spirit**? >>> + e.g., "God is sum of all truths" + **persons** of Trinity --- ## One Foundation: *Creation* 1. God the Creator 1. Revealed in His Works 1. Revealed in His Word 1. God as Trinity 1. **God's Creation** 1. Creation of Man 1. Creation of Angels 1. God the Sustainer >>> + **Trinity** shows up in **how** God created: --- In the beginning was the **Word**,
and the Word was **with God**,
and the Word **was God**.
2
He was with God in the **beginning**.
3
**Through** him all things were made
John 1:1-3 (NIV)
>>> + How **old** is Jesus? + Does Buddhism (6-4th c. BC) **predate** Christianity? + *"Word"*: comm, bridge gap, **Immanuel** + *"was God"*: equal, same **substance** + *"beginning"*: way before **Christmas** + *"through"*: **how** God created + How about **HS**? Involved in creation? --- The **earth** was without form and void,
and darkness was over the face of the **deep**. And the **Spirit of God** was **hovering**
over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2 (ESV)
>>> + HS **present** since creation + *"hovering"*: gently, softly, to cause to relax, **cherish**, brood + So where did **people** come from? --- So **God** created man in his own image,
in the **image of God** he created him;
**male** and **female** he created them.
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
>>> + *"God"*: it was **God** who did it + *"image"*: **dignity** + value from God + not just evolved animal + *"M/F"*: **gender** created by God + not up to **us** to define + more in ch2 on **roles** of M/F + ch3: **broken** M/F relations + what about **angels**? --- Are not all angels **ministering spirits**
sent to **serve** those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)
>>> + *"angels"* (ἄγγελοι): **messengers** + *"ministering"* (λειτουργικὰ): + for **worship** of God + *"serve"* (διακονίαν): + deacon, **wating tables** + *"spirits"*: not bound by **phys** laws + tempting to **study** angels more + even Apostle **John** was wowed: --- When I heard and **saw** [these things],
I fell down to **worship** at the feet
of the **angel** who showed them to me,
9
but he said to me, “You **must not** do that!
I am a **fellow servant** with you [...] **Worship God**!”
Revelation 22:8-9 (ESV)
>>> + **twice**! (also Rev 19:10) + remember: angels are **created** + not Creator + keep **focus** on Christ + OK, then what about **demons**? --- And the **angels** who did not stay within
their own position of **authority**,
but **left** their proper dwelling, he has **kept** in eternal chains under gloomy darkness
until the **judgment** of the great day
Jude 1:6 (ESV)
>>> + *"authority"* (ἀρχὴν): under God + *"left"* (ἀπολιπόντας): desert, forsook + *"kept"* (τετήρηκεν): has reserved + e.g., jail + *"judgment"* (κρίσιν): final destiny + not *yin-yang* **balance**! --- # Where did **people** come from? # What are **angels**? >>> + **image of God**: dignity, value + human **rights** defined by God + angels: **messengers** + **created**, not Creator --- ## One Foundation: *Creation* 1. God the Creator 1. Revealed in His Works 1. Revealed in His Word 1. God as Trinity 1. God's Creation 1. Creation of Man 1. Creation of Angels 1. **God the Sustainer** >>> + God **still** involved in world today? + or just created and **walked away**? + pain of imagining an **absent** God + easy to forget God's everyday **grace**: --- All creatures **look to you**
to give them their **food** at the proper time.
28
When you **give** it to them,
they **gather** it up; when you **open** your hand,
they are **satisfied** with good things.
Psalm 104:27-28 (NIV) (p.1/2)
>>> + *"look to you"*: eager **expectation** + **waiting** upon + *"satisfied"*: have our fill, **enough**: + fulfil our most essential **longings** ---
29
When you **hide** your face,
they are **terrified**; when you take away their **breath**,
they **die** and return to the dust.
30
When you send your **Spirit**,
they are **created**,
and you **renew** the face of the ground.
Psalm 104:29-30 (NIV) (p.2/2)
>>> + every **breath** is God's grace + role of **HS** in **creation** + **renewal** --- # Is God still **involved**
in His creation? >>> + He still **care-takes** + He still **rules** --- ## One Foundation
(Elbing)
1. **Creation** (who *God* is)
(wk 1)
1. Fall (who *we* are)
(wk 2)
1. Redemption (how we are *saved*) 1. Divine Provision
(wk 2-3)
1. Human Response + Faith in Christ
(wk 3-4)
+ Life and Conduct
(wk 4)
1. Consummation
(wk 4-5)
>>> + Today: who **God** is + Next time: who **we** are + Perfect **creation** + **Fallen** by sin + God's **plan** to save us + Are people essentially **good** or **bad**? + Close by reading **Ps95** together: --- In his hand are the **depths** of the earth,
and the **mountain peaks** belong to him.
5
The **sea** is his, for he **made** it,
and his hands formed the **dry land**.
Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV) (p.1/2)
>>> + Scripture points to **creation** + why God **rules** over the world ... ---
6
Come, let us **bow down** in worship,
let us **kneel** before the Lord our Maker;
7
for he is our **God**
and we are the **people** of his pasture,
the **flock** under his care.
Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV) (p.2/2)
>>> + ... and what our **response** should be: + a right **relationship** with Him: + our **God**, His **people** + **sheep** to **shepherd** ---