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2. Creation

When we look at the creation, we should see that there is a Creator.  Just like when you are in a building, you know someone built and designed a building. When you look at artwork, you know someone was behind that art.  When you read a book, you know there's an author. In the same way, when we look at the creation we see the animals, we see the plants, we see the fish, the birds, the stars, the sun, and the clouds. We see the great power and existence of our God. So, as you look at the creation, be amazed. Go back and read in Genesis 1 about how our God created and see how magnificent the Creator is!

·      Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/yu0WUrshZ5w

·      Read in The Qur’an - 2:29; 7:7; 20:4-5

·      Read in The Tanakh and The Bible - Genesis 1:1-25; Psalms 8, 104, 148; John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3; 1 John 1:5-7

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      The Qur'an 2:29 “He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He rose over (Istawa) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens and He is the All-Knower of everything.”

·      The Bible describes three heavens (2 Corinthians 2:2) as 1) the atmosphere in which we live 2) the place of the moon, sun, stars, and planets, and 3) the place where God dwells. What does The Qur’an mean by “seven heavens"?

·      The Qur'an 7:7 “And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water”

·      Why does The Qur’an not disclose the details of these six days of Creation?

·      The Qur’an 20:4-5 “A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. 5. The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty).”

·      How does the Qur’anic account differ in scope and detail compared to the Creation accounts in The Tanakh and The Bible?

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

·      Genesis 1:1–25 “[1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. [6] And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” [7] And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. [8] And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.[9] And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. [10] God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. [11] And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. [12] The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [13] And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. [14] And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, [15] and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. [16] And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. [17] And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, [18] to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. [19] And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. [20] And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” [21] So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [22] And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” [23] And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. [24] And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. [25] And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (ESV)

·      Why do you think God shares such a level of detail about His Creation in The Tanakh and Bible? What does this teach us about the character of God?

·      What was your favorite day of Creation? Why?

·      Psalm 8 “[1] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. [2] Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. [3] When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [4] what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? [5] Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. [6] You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, [7] all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, [8] the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. [9] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

·      Since the Qur’an says Allah “gave the Zabur (Psalms)” (The Qur'an 4:163, 17:55), and through the Torat (Torah), shouldn’t Muslims know the full story of the Zabur (Psalms)”, given in the Tanakh and Bible?

·      How could this Psalm both function as a song and as a personal prayer of reflection? What verses resonate within you when you consider the majesty of God in Creation?

·      Psalm 104 “[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, [2] covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. [3] He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; [4] he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. [5] He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. [6] You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. [7] At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. [8] The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. [9] You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. [10] You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; [11] they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. [12] Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. [13] From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. [14] You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth [15] and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. [16] The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. [17] In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. [18] The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. [19] He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. [20] You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. [21] The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. [22] When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. [23] Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. [24] O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. [25] Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. [26] There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. [27] These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. [28] When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. [29] When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. [30] When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. [31] May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works, [32] who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! [33] I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. [34] May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. [35] Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!”

·      How does Psalm 104 make you reflect on the intricacies and complexity of Creation? What are some of your favorite parts of Creation?

·      How does Psalm 104 help you to see the awesomeness of God?

·      Psalm 148 “[1] Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! [2] Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! [3] Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! [4] Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! [5] Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. [6] And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. [7] Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, [8] fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! [9] Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! [10] Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! [11] Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! [12] Young men and maidens together, old men and children! [13] Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. [14] He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!”

·      What is the purpose of the Psalms? What is the purpose of Creation? What is the purpose of humanity?

·      Is there anything comparable to the Psalms in the Qur’an?

·      John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

·      How does John 1 explain Jesus’ role in Creation?

·      1 Corinthians 8:6 “yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”

·      How do we see one God existing in three co-eternal co-equal persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) show up in Creation accounts like John 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:6, and Genesis 1:2?

·      See also:

·      “Who is God the Father?” www.gotquestions.org/God-the-Father.html

·      “Who is God the Son?” www.gotquestions.org/God-the-Son.html

·      “Who is God the Holy Spirit?” www.gotquestions.org/God-the-Holy-Spirit.html

·      “What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?” www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

·      “Do Christians have three gods? What is the Trinity? www.compellingtruth.org/three-gods.html

·      Colossians 1:15–17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

·      How does Colossians 1 describe Jesus?

·      Hebrews 1:2 “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

·      Why does the Bible speak so often of the coming Messiah and Jesus as the fulfilment of those prophecies, but never speaks about the coming of Muhammad?

·      Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

·      What is “faith”? Why is it necessary to “understand that the universe was created”?

·      When we see a building, don’t we know (have faith) that there was an architect/designer and builder/worker? When we see a book, don’t we know that there is an author? When we see a painting, don’t we know that there is an artist? When we see the Creation around us, don’t we know that a powerful, intelligent God has designed the universe?

·      1 John 1:5–7 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

·      What does it mean that “God is light”? What does it mean to “walk in the light”? According to 1 John 1:5-7, how are we cleansed from sin?

See also:

·      “What does the Bible say about Creation” www.trustworthyword.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-creation

·      “What does the Bible say about the Names of God?” www.trustworthyword.com/names-of-god

·      “What does the Bible say about the Miracles of God?” www.trustworthyword.com/miracles

·      “What does the Bible say about the Character of God?”  www.trustworthyword.com/character-of-god