EXTENDED INFORMATION
TOWARD HEAVEN VOL 1: Eternal Perspectives
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THE NOTION OF CREATION
Unless the idea of creation is a permanent notion, it must “arise” at a point that we can only conceive of as having a linear dimension—time. It must be a “new” thought” that has come into evidence, and was therefore not previously there.
God dwells in the Eternal Present, and for this “notion” to arise, means that the Eternal Present can no longer continue!
Somehow, in the terms of the Eternal Present, the notion of creation “arose”, and that suddenly and irrevocably changed the Eternal Present, thus redefining eternity. That is beyond comprehension.
The creation concept introduces time and space, and immediately (that is a time concept!) the Eternal Present is jettisoned. The concept of eternity has been changed forever!
Now we can speak of “from everlasting” … “to everlasting”. The point of creation thus “divides” eternity!! We now have time.
The sovereign God of the universe, the God Who is always in control, chose to limit Himself to time and space in order to achieve a remarkable creation with man as the focus.
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THE IMPERATIVE FOR CREATION
Let us look at the attributes (or characteristics) of God. These introductory comments are given here in the perspective of the creation, that are essential to our consideration of the “imperative”.
The attributes of God are those qualities of God which constitute Who He is. This is not a reference to His acts—creating, providing, convicting, etc.—nor to His roles—as Counsellor, Creator, Guide, etc., but it provides the understanding of Who He is in His actions and roles.
These are permanent qualities—they cannot be gained or lost. They are essential to His very nature. For example, God IS love. Perfect love. That attribute cannot be taken away without destroying the very nature of God.
Nor is God the sum total of attributes, like the ingredients of a cake. He is not the sum of a collection of fragmentary parts. They are expressions of Him in His totality of being. He is a unified being—they are an expression of His very nature.
Nor can God be identified by individual attributes, as if they were definitive of Him. He is love, but that is only part of Who He is. God is far more complex than love—as significant as that is. He is also judge, and righteous in His judgment, but that does not deny or detract from His overwhelming love, and mercy.
TWO GROUPS OF HIS ATTRIBUTES:
Firstly, there are incommunicable attributes. These are those attributes that are peculiar to God, and which cannot be communicated to us as part of His creation. For example, God is eternal (absolutely), but man cannot be partly eternal. That attribute cannot be communicated (shared) with us at all.
Secondly, by contrast, there are communicable attributes, which are those qualities which have a partial counterpart in human beings. Love is infinite and perfect in God, but it is also found in part in man. God is omnipotent (all-powerful)—but man has at least a degree of power.
An understanding of the attributes is foundational to understanding the imperative of creation. Note the following carefully.
Both the Incommunicable Attributes—and even more pointedly—the Communicable Attributes—highlight the fact (it would seem) that for most of His attributes to be able to operate or function, God needs a focus beyond/outside of Himself.
One might note that within the perfect relationship of the godhead, there is no need for the operation of omnipotence. Also, omniscience is absolute and doesn’t have a recurring purpose since God knows Himself absolutely. So we might conclude that some of the incommunicable attributes demand a fulfilment requiring an entity outside of the godhead, and hence creation—or similar—is imperative.
From the perfect relationship within the godhead, it would appear that there is no need for most—if not all— of the communicable attributes: compassion, grace, mercy, patience, forgiveness, amongst others. If God is to fully express Himself and His character, He needs an object outside of Himself. He needs someone to have compassion on. Someone to whom He can show grace.
One might conclude that something—like creation—is an imperative for this fulfilment, as far as we can ascertain.
Without this prospect, it would appear that God has never (a time concept) had full expression of His character.
Even in a perfect creation, there would be a limitation for the expression of these attributes. If it is perfect, there would be no sin, and no need for mercy and forgiveness, etc.
This understanding about the attributes is very instructive as we reflect on WHY THE CREATION?
It also relates to the perfect relationship that existed within the trinity before the creation, and which faced disruption if the creation proceeded.
THE CREATION PURPOSE:
At some point in the timelessness of eternity and the endlessness of space, God in His Triune Person purposed to make mankind, as a race of people to relate to Him in love. And yet this happened in the Eternal Present!
The plan for creation thus focused on mankind—the creature—made to live in a trust-dependency on the Creator.
Let us trace this basic situation.
God made the creature—Adam—in His image, with the ability to make choices and to relate to Him. Fundamental to this relationship was trust, the creature dependant on the Creator. The opportunity to develop this “choice”-relationship was provided by the prohibition God placed on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil:
16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die [spiritually]”
Genesis 2:16-17, emphasis added.
As far as mankind is concerned, sin commenced in the Garden of Eden.
It is imperative that we consider the ramifications of Adam’s sin, in order to show its supposed effects upon all mankind, and to identify the nature and extent of the redemptive program necessitated of God. Space is devoted to this pursuit, as the book seeks to unfold God’s program for mankind.
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