The book of Genesis begins with the creation of the cosmos from nothing by a supernatural deity. Creation is the core theme of the book of Genesis and the preternatural beings and objects are attributed to a supreme being. The natural realm exists in the physical universe whereas the metaphysical realm exists outside the common dimension of time. The intelligence design of the universe is attributed to a supernatural being. The book of genesis attempts to give a succinct explanation of the origin of the universe.
Moses, the author, focused on the natural universe and did not bring his mind into labor over the metaphysical universe. Moses, however, acknowledged the existence of the metaphysical world. Moses stated that human beings were placed on the planet for a particular reason and were also expected to continue the work of the creator by the use of the preternatural to make objects. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, were cast out of God’s presence, as a result, of their esurient nature to rise above their own God.
In the contemporary world the theory of creation, as postulated in the Book of Genesis, has been empirically proved. As a result, numerous theories have mushroomed over time, all attempting to explain the origin of cosmos. They all challenge the creation accounts narrated in the book of Genesis. The Big Bang theory has gained prominence as an accurate depiction of the events that took place leading to the establishment of the physical reality. Scientist such as Stephen Hawking has argued against the creation's theory that has been adopted by all the Abrahamic religions.
Some philosophers, during the age of discovery, equated nature with God. Benedict de Spinoza argued that nature was the representation of God. This view was criticized by the clergy counter arguing that his views were heuristic. Spinoza was excommunicated from the Jewish community for his unpopular views on God and the universe. The criticism on those who argue against the orthodox religious beliefs has reduced substantially over the course of time. This paper will examine the position of nature and the supernatural in relation to the creation theory in the Book of Genesis. It will also examine the contemporary theories that have been propounded in response to the creation theory. It is the prime aim of this paper to examine which religious principles in the Book of Genesis that makes the creation theory popular in the 21st century.
The creation account in the Book of Genesis stated that, ‘The universe was created in seven days ‘by supernatural diet. This deity is said to have existent long before the time. He was not created, and He has no end. The omnipotent creator put human beings in charge of the Garden of Eden. ‘Human beings were created in the exact image and likeness of God’. The creation account further argues that God is the ultimate giver of life and, as a result, all living things have their source of life from God. As stated in the book of Genesis chapter one verse one, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ The central theme of the book of Genesis is that the natural emanated from a supernatural being. The existence of evil is one of the premises upon which scholars question the omnipotence of God. Evil destroyed the mutual feeling of friendship that existence between God and human beings. Having endowed his creation with free will he vowed not to abandon his own creation and would also devise a plan that would eliminate evil from the world.
The creation account has been criticized for misleading people along the trajectory of thought. There is a growing opposition of theism in the world with an equivalent increase in the number of anti-theists. The argument of God being the source of nature reigns supreme in many parts of the world. The existence of God cannot be proved scientifically and, as a result, the argument that God is the source of nature has received a tirade of criticisms. Scientist argues that a supernatural deity was adopted by human ancestors as a means of filling the gaps of knowledge that human beings had. With time, the human race has been able to develop technologically and within few decades all the information that is required to explain the origin of the universe will be explained.
Scholars do not question the powers that have been attributed to God. As portrayed in the book of Genesis, He is the supreme maker of the universe and he is not limited by time or space. It is argued that he can travel back and forth in time with the exclusive mandate to change the future according to his will. The book of genesis also recognizes the existence of other supernatural beings such as angels and the devil. The devil is the source of discord between human beings and God. In all the religious texts that have been collected since antiquity, the devil has not come out to confirm his existence either through one of his messengers or a supernatural phenomenon. Anti-theist argues that by the very fact that the archenemy of God never came out to defend him or deliver a message to his followers makes the whole message of theism a lie.
Charles Darwin was of the opinion that nature originated from nothing and that that there is no external cause to the current universe. The argument stems from the evolution theory that the species have evolved from a single cell of life in the aquatic regions that caused the explosion of life in the universe. The argument seeks to break the link between the natural and the supernatural. Humanity has clutched on the belief that there is a link between the natural realm and the supernatural realm. Events like death do not signify the ultimate end of life but a continuation into another realm, the supernatural realm.
The book of Genesis is a depiction of the skillful artwork of God. The intelligent design is the ultimate weapon that theist have used to whip anti-theist. Upon the completion of the universe and the creation as a whole, it is stated in the book of Genesis chapter one verse 12 that ‘God looked at his creation and said it was good.’ It is the reason the majority of the Americans still belief in the existence of God. The book of Genesis is written, in a way, that the events that happened in the dawn of time still affect life of those who are alive at the moment. The naturals and supernatural have a connection that will last for eternity. Human beings will finally be called upon to answer to their actions when they are alive. The only way a mortal can meet the immortal maker of the universe is through death.
Works Cited
Bavinck, H. (2009). Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation. New York: Baker Academic.
Dawkins, R. (2010). The God Delusion. Sidney: Random House Australia.
