The Gospel Way CatechismSample

QUESTION 4: Why Did God Create the World?

ANSWER

God created everything by his Word, not because he was lonely, but out of the free overflow of divine love, so that all creation would enjoy his glory.

“The cosmos is within us,” Carl Sagan said in a famous book and documentary. “We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” Sagan’s words capture a prevalent cultural narrative that leans on a naturalistic understanding of the universe’s origins. In previous eras, some scientists say, there were gaps in human knowledge about the universe, so naturally, people attributed whatever they didn’t or couldn’t understand to the divine intervention of God. Today, however, those gaps in human knowledge are shrinking. There are fewer and fewer reasons to rely on a “god of the gaps.” The more science explains, the less necessary God becomes.

A naturalistic understanding of the world sounds plausible to many today, but if matter is all there is, and if everything about the world is predetermined or can be attributed to merely natural causes, the universal human desire for meaning, significance, and a life beyond this world must be wrongheaded. It’s a mirage. We long for something that isn’t there. Some who deny the existence of God say, That’s right, so grow up and come to terms with the stark reality that there is no ultimate purpose in life, other than the meaning and significance you establish for yourself!

In contrast to this way of seeing the world, the Bible begins with a different presupposition: there is a God who created everything (Jeremiah 10:10-12). This is a foundational truth of Christianity. The reason most people throughout history have believed and most people around the world today continue to believe in a transcendent being responsible for creating the world is not due to a lack of education or scientific expertise, but because God is really there.

Some who do believe in God might think he created the world because he was bored or lonely, as if he needed companionship. But as we’ve seen in the section on who God is, nothing could be further from the truth. God wasn’t lonely; God was eternally happy as Father, Son, and Spirit. God wasn’t compelled to make the world; he did so out of the free overflow of his Trinitarian love. We are created by God to find joy in his eternal glory. God made us for God (Isaiah 40:28).

What’s more, the Bible teaches that God created the world through the power of his Word (Genesis 1:1-3). God created all that is, from nothing—he didn’t use preexisting raw materials. He spoke, and the universe came into existence (Psalm 33:6-9). God is the source of everything that is, the ultimate reason there is something rather than nothing.

The reality of God as Creator provides a framework that gives our life meaning, purpose, and direction. We were made for God. Creation is the theater of his glory. The God who has revealed himself owns all he has made. His design is what matters. His purpose is what stands. According to Scripture, we don’t make meaning or purpose for ourselves; we discover meaning and purpose in line with God’s design.

Reflection Questions

How does understanding that God created the world out of the free overflow of divine love, rather than out of necessity or loneliness, shape your view of his character and your relationship with him? Reflect on how this understanding influences your perception of God’s nature and his intentions toward creation. How does it affect your trust and worship of him?

In what ways does acknowledging that all creation intends to bring glory to God change your perspective on your purpose and daily activities? Consider how the purpose of glorifying God can be integrated into your everyday life, from your work and relationships to your personal goals and hobbies. How can this perspective guide your actions and decisions?