THEO621_Discussion 2 Creation_08222021
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Jan 9, 2024
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THEO621
Discussion 2: Creation
08222021
1.
How does God's decision to "Let there be" connect God's creative work with God's love (pp. 53-57)?
How do the necessities connected with "letting be" and being a God of love mean God is not personally
responsible and does not cause human suffering and evil (pp. 56-58)? How do you feel about the
suggestion that God doesn't cause or desire such things to happen (p. 57)?
God’s decision to “Let there be” connects directly to God’s creative work with His love. He is the maker
of heaven and earth, He is the sole reason behind creation, and only desired to do so because of his
abounding love, his agape love. As Lodahl states, “There is something about this word of ‘letting be’ that
bespeaks God’s generosity in the bestowing of being to all things, a divine fascination with and love for
beings of all sorts, a wondrous stepping back by God in allowing creation truly to be” (2008, 54).
I particularly appreciated Lodahl’s explanation of the primary reasons of suspicion to the “omni
doctrine”, that acknowledgement that God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (knows all things),
omnipresent (truly and fully present). If God is all of these things, then how does evil transpire on a daily
basis? Brings me back to a time as a child, asking “If there is a God, why did he allow for my parents to
get divorced? Why did He separate my family? If there was a God this wouldn’t happen!” As Lodahl
mentioned there is a difference between moral evil and natural evil. The first involving suffering at the
result of human agency, which is not the fault of God as “evil is in the world because of human sin, not
because of divine will or doing” (Lodahl 2008, 57). Yes, He may be responsible for creating those that act
in sin, but He is not directly responsible for the evil they cause. This part of the reading really hit home
for me!
2.
How do you think about the relationship between the Bible’s teaching that God is the creator of all
things, and scientific descriptions of the world? For example, do you think the doctrine of creation can be
reconciled with the theory of evolution? Why or why not?
3.
In what way or ways do you think creation is “good”? Do you think most Christians you know have a
positive evaluation of creation? Why or why not?
4.
To what extent do you believe that sin has polluted or even destroyed the goodness of creation? How
is the reality helpful and unhelpful in ministry?
Continuous sin, I do believe has polluted and will continue to pollute or even destroy the goodness of
creation. When I think of evil and wickedness, and the destruction that it has not only on the individual
but generations to come, my mind goes to the book of Proverbs. A book of the Bible packed with so
much knowledge, understanding and wisdom. The themes of childrearing and obeying your parents is
evident throughout. For it is written, “The waged of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked
are sin and death; When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone; The fear of the Lord adds length
to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short; the simple inherit folly; evildoers foster rebellion against
God; the messenger of death will be sent against them” (Proverbs 10:6, 10:25a, 10:27, 14:18a, 17:11).
5.
What is creatio ex nihilo? What is creatio ex amore? Why does Lodahl argue creation ex amore is
"closer to the nature of the biblical narrative?" Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
THEO621
Discussion 2: Creation
08222021
Creatio ex nihilo translates to “creation out of nothing”, whereas creatio ex amore translate to “creation
out of love”. As Lodahl explains creation out of love is closer to the nature of the biblical narrative
because He is the God of love. As it is written in Ephesians 2:4-5, “But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by
grace you have been saved”. By his grace, or unmerited favor, if you will. We didn’t deserve it but He
gave it to us anyways, why would He be so willing to give us something we didn’t deserve if He didn’t
love us? I absolutely agree with Lodahl’s statement that “it is more appropriate to speak of creatio ex
amore (creation out of love) comes closer to the nature of the biblical narrative… For the phrase creatio
ex amore implies that the God who speaks the word of “letting be” does so out of a love for that which is
other than God, and a nurturing desire for the other to be” (2008, 54).
6.
What does it mean to say the "universe is God's creation" according to Lodahl (pp. 65-68?
7.
What is the problem with a "scientific-literalist" approach to Genesis 1? What does Lodahl say is the
only thing a Christian can say about evolutionary theory (p. 67)? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why
not?
8.
What does it mean that God addresses the male and female in giving dominion over Creation (p. 70)?
What is the significance of "nefesh?" (pp. 70-71)? How do these ideas challenge or affirm teachings or
ideas you have encountered in church or culture? How do they challenge you?
9.
How does God primarily address humans? What does this tell us about what he desires (pp. 72-73)?
10.
What are some of the important theological terms or concepts you have encountered in the reading
for this week? Which might should be on your class list?
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