Developing a Biblical Worldview

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 90:1-17 – New Testament Reading Ephesians 1:1-12

Developing a Biblical Worldview
“The Divine Design of Creation”
Genesis 1:1-2:3

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

A Worldview is a framework through which one sees and interprets the world, including its origin, purpose, and future. To have a biblical worldview:

• • One must accept the Bible as the divinely inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God: truth with no mixture of error in its content and its intent.
  • One must accept Genesis 1:1-2:3, not only as the foundation for a biblical worldview but as the foundation for the Christian Faith.
  • If Genesis 1:1-2:3 is true, then every other worldview is false, including those that embrace God in their philosophy of life but who do not respect Him as the Creator of all life.
  • Therefore, a biblical worldview begins by one’s faith in God as the Maker of heaven and earth, that not only did God act in history through His design of creation, but that He is still active in the present, and that He will be active in the future as He brings His plan for our redemption to completion. Ephesians 1:9-12

1. The Deity of the Creator – Genesis 1:1- Vs. 1 – “In beginning God created heaven and earth!”

The Book of Genesis was written by Moses around 1400 BC, right after he had led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Genesis is the “seed-plot” of the whole Bible – the foundation of the gospel story, as the essential doctrines of the Christian Faith are introduced in the first 11 chapters!

• • Chapters 1-11 – the “Primitive History” – Creation, Fall, Flood, Tower of Babel.
  • Chapters 12-50 – the “Patriarchal History” – From Abraham to Joseph.

The key verse is Genesis 1:1 – “In beginning, God created heaven and earth!” (Hebrew Bible)

• • Since Moses said God created both heaven and earth, it means God existed “outside” of the universe prior to His act of creation.
  • The Hebrew name “Elohim” means “strong one” – a reflection of God’s character as revealed in creation. It is also “plural” – not more than one God, but God manifests Himself in different ways:
    • Genesis 1:1 – God the Father was the Master Designer
    • Genesis 1:2 – God the Spirit moved upon the waters
    • Genesis 1:3 – God the Son became the Word; the instrument of creation
  • Genesis 1:1-2:3 substantiates the existence of God, who revealed Himself through what He created, so all the world could see and understand, regardless of language or intellect, and in so doing, God proved Himself to be both powerful and personal!
  • It is only when we know who God is and respect Him for who He is, that we can know who we are and how we fit into His divine plan.
  • The secularists reject the existence of God and focuses on man’s search for the meaning and purpose for life within the physical activities and human relationships of the world.
    • They reject God’s concept of order and replace it with the idea of equality!
    • They reject God’s purpose for discipline and replace it with individual freedom!
    • They reject God’s purpose for life and replace it with the pursuit of personal pleasure!
    • They reject God’s eternal values and replace them with the pursuit of temporal happiness!

2. The Design of the Creation – Genesis 1:2-25 – Vs. 2 – “The earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters!”

  The intricate design of creation demonstrates the deliberate, methodical, purposeful plan of God.

• • The more scientists try to diminish the truth about creation, the more they discover the handprint of God on every cell of life.
  • “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:21-22
  • “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17
  • Genesis 1:2-5 – Day One – The beginning of time: a period of light (day) and a period of darkness (night).
  • Genesis 1:6-8 – Day Two – The beginning of weather; systems that would change the seasons and create the environment for plant growth.
  • Genesis 1:9-13 – Day Three – The beginning of Agriculture; soil, water, and seed-bearing plants.
  • Genesis 1:14-19 – Day’s Four – The beginning of light; the sun to rule by day and the moon by night.
  • Genesis 1:20-23 – Day Five – The beginning of smaller life; fish in the sea, fowl in the air.
  • Genesis 1:24-31 – Day Six – The beginning of larger life; animals, beasts, mankind.
  • Genesis 2:1-3 – Day Seven – The beginning of the Day of Rest.

The Book of Genesis is not an allegory, as some liberal theologians would have us believe.

• • The Book of Genesis is God’s divinely inspired word to Moses.
  • The Book of Genesis is essential to a biblical worldview because it confirms the truth of God’s Word.
  • The purpose of all other “theories” is to oppose the existence of God.
  • In June, 2018 the International Scientific Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, declared evolution as a “hoax” that is used to support communism, socialism, terrorism, and atheism.

3. The Desire of the Creator – Isaiah 66:1 – “Thus saith the LORD, heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me and where is the place of my rest?”

The design of God’s creation parallels the pattern of the design and construction of the tabernacle and the temple:

• • God told Moses to make sure he followed the pattern He had given to him to construct the tabernacle.
  • The implements in the tabernacle and temple compare with God’s creation:
  • The “water basin or Laver” – the sea
  • The “bronze pillars” – the pillars of the earth
  • The “lampstand” – the light of the world
  • The “table of bread” – the plants/vegetation
  • The “altar of incense”- the clouds
  • The “Holy of Holies – the heavens – where God dwells

The design of God’s creation is also a picture of our salvation through Jesus Christ.

• • The “light” of the world is Jesus –
  • Life began on the “third day” – the resurrection –
  • The “rotation of the sun” – the return of Jesus –
  • The “moon” reflects the sun – the Church is to be the reflection of the Son of God.
  • The “stars” reflect God’s glory – Christians are to shine “as lights in the world as they hold forth the Word of life!”
  • “Man” a type of God’s workmanship, which was perfect until it was tarnished by sin, and fell short of the glory of God. God is making us a new creation through Jesus Christ.

God revealed Himself to us through the design of His creation. Because God has spoken:

• • Every man is without excuse – no one can plead ignorance of the existence of God.
  • We are behooved to listen, not just for information, but to receive His divine revelation and to adjust our lives accordingly.
  • We don’t have to grope in the darkness for answers to life’s questions.
  • The greatest desire of our heart should be to hear what He has said.

Do we dare go on living as though we have not heard Him?