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The Distinct but Dependent Creation

Categories Theology Systematic Theology

As Creator, God is distinct from his creation. He is not part of the creation. He is unlike his creation in many ways. He made all things and rules over all things. He is greater than creation and very much independent of it. He doesn’t need creation in any way.

But God is also intimately involved in creation. With his very breath he gave life to his very own image. “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10). God himself “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” for “in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25, 28). We are, Paul says, “God’s offspring” (Acts 17:29).

God is both involved in and distinct from creation. He is not dependent on creation but creation is dependent on him. Therefore, nothing in creation is worthy of the affection that God deserves. Although God is greater than creation, he did not choose to leave creation to function on its own. Instead, he chose to stay intimately involved with his creation, especially those made in his image. Therefore, he is not so removed from us that he cannot or will not be intimately involved in our lives and our struggles. He is near; he is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Because God is greater than all creation and involved with all creation, if we hope in God, we have nothing to fear.

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Professors: Request an exam copy of Grudem's Systematic Theology, Second Edition, here.

Photo by Mitchell Gaiser on Unsplash.

wayne-grudem
Wayne Grudem is research professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds degrees from Harvard (AB), Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, DD), and Cambridge (PhD). He is the author of more than a dozen books including the bestselling Systematic Theology. His new Systematic Theology online course is now available.
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