The Doctrine of Creation: Mediated Action and

Science

Robert C. BishopWheaton College

04/20/23 1

God Is Distinct from the Created Order Creator/creature distinction implies all of

creation valued○ “God saw all that he had made and it was very good”

(Gen 1:31). Functioning and fulfilling purposes as intended

○ Includes galaxies, asteroids, molecules,…

Jesus’ incarnation affirms the goodness of material order

04/20/23 2

God Is Distinct from the Created Order Creation’s being distinct from God

implies it’s to be itself○ What God intended it to be

04/20/23 3

“He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in” (Is 40:22b).

God’s Action in Creation Is Mediated

04/20/23 4

God’s Action in Creation Is Mediated

Action takes place/shaped through something else

One form: His word/command○ “And God said…” (Gen. 1)

04/20/23 5

God’s Action in Creation Is Mediated Another form: God’s “two hands” engaged

in creation (Irenaeus)○ Jesus

- “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…” (Col. 1:16a)

- “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (Jn. 1:3)

○ Holy Spirit- “In the beginning God created the heavens and the

earth…and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen. 1:1-2)

- “When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the Earth” (Ps 104: 30)

- Water/rivers symbolic of the Spirit’s renewing/healing, e.g. Ez. 47:1-12

04/20/23 6

God’s Action in Creation Is Mediated Third form: God’s action in creation is

ministerial○ Some parts of God’s creation empowered to

serve as mediators/ministers to other parts of creation

○ God intends for creation to bring about some elements of creation

- “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth…’” (Gen. 1:11, 24)

04/20/23 7

God’s Action in Creation Is Mediated

God’s action in creation pictured three ways in Bible

○ As personal word/command○ As personal involvement through Jesus & Holy

Spirit- God’s action in creation is Trinitarian

○ As personal superintendent of creation empowered to bring about creation

- Relates to functional integrity of creation

04/20/23 8

God Acts Patiently in Creation

04/20/23 9

God Acts Patiently in Creation

God intends creation to become itself○ God gives creation patience & grace to be what

it is

God’s activity in creation being “ministerial”

○ God is active in creation so it can become itself○ Creation is active bringing about creation (under

superintendence of Christ and the Spirit)

04/20/23 10

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

God intends creation to become itself○ Creation should have capacities for

development & growth

Evolutionary mechanisms are consistent w/ this biblical expectation

04/20/23 11

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

One form of God’s activity in creation is mediated by creation

○ General stability of environments & cycles○ Some organisms sacrifice themselves so others

may live○ Genetic variations minister to populations

Key components of evolution look much like creation ministering to creation

04/20/23 12

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

Biblically, the Spirit is often pictured biblically as involved in life & enabling things to reach their consummation in Christ

○ From quarks to galaxies & beyond!

Evolutionary mechanisms & biomolecules, genomes, cells, organisms, populations, ecological niches, environments

○ The Spirit enables all these elements of creation to become what they’re called to be in Christ & fulfill their ministerial functions

04/20/23 13

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

Biblically, the Spirit often involved in variety, creativity & beauty

Evolution would represent a means through which the Spirit produces variety, creativity & beauty

○ All reflecting the glory & wisdom of God○ Including random genetic variations

04/20/23 14

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

Random/unguided mutations○ Beneficial mutations don’t occur because they

would be good for organisms

04/20/23 15

Doctrine of Creation & Evolution

God acts patiently in creation, salvation, sanctification

Evolution would represent God working in & through creation towards its perfection in Christ

○ Consummation “in the fullness of time”

04/20/23 16

Doctrine of Creation & Cosmology

04/20/23 17

“He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in” (Is 40:22b).

Doctrine of Creation & Cosmology

One form of God’s activity in creation is mediated by creation

04/20/23 18

Doctrine of Creation & Science

False dilemma prevalent since 18th century

○ Events in nature are either:The result of God’s immediate interventionThe result of natural processes w/ no divine

involvement

04/20/23 19

Doctrine of Creation & Science

Genesis 1:24-25○ And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living

creatures of each kind, cattle and crawling things and wild beasts of each kind.” And it was so. God made wild beasts of each kind and cattle of every kind and all crawling things on the ground of each kind, and God saw that it was good.

Psalm 104, Job 38-42, John 1:1-3,Col 1:15-17, etc.

04/20/23 20