Systematic Theology Made Easy by McMahon C. Matthew

Author:McMahon, C. Matthew [McMahon, C. Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Puritan Publications
Published: 2012-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Excursus on Continuous Creation

In systematic theology there are certain theological subjects that stretch our minds further than our capacity. These subjects move above and beyond our conception for complete thought about a given subject. One of these topics is called the Doctrine of Continuous Creation. This doctrine teaches a type of providence, or divine preservation. God has created all that exists out of nothing by the Word of His power. In creating all things, He also upholds all things and governs them. This is providence which will be further discussed in the next section. God holds all things together throughout their existence. The Bible is very clear on this (Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28, etc.). The providence of God’s preserving power covers every area of the created order. Continuous creation asserts a further thought of what preservation teaches. It says that God preserves the created order and that preserving things in existence is no different from His continuously creating them. This is where it is important to make a distinction. It is very easy to believe that God made the apple tree and then, by His power, He continues to hold it together, otherwise it would cease to exist. God is the power behind the apple tree’s consistency. The question arises, though, is this really a preserving, or is it a recreation of the same substance continually?

First, God continually preserves creation. This is fundamental to the Bible’s teaching about God’s government and preservation. Colossians 1:17 states, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” The verb “consists” is an imperfect verb. That means it was initiated in the past but continues to be active from that time into the future with no ending point. God is still working, even now, to uphold creation. Christ attests to this continual work in John 5:17 when He said, “But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Also, the “all things” of the verse is not “some things.” In Him everything consists, from mice to rocks to supernovas – He continually holds their being in place. There is nothing working “out there” on its own. There is no maverick molecule or autonomous atom running around outside of the consistency of the power of God.

Acts 17:28 also speaks to this issue very poignantly where Paul states, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, “For we are also his offspring.” The climax and point Paul makes here is that creation, all of creation, which includes all men, is continually upheld by the power of God. All men have their being in God. That does not mean they are God, but it does mean that without God’s sustaining power, men would not exist. They are continually upheld in their being in Him. It is His power of preservation that holds the fabric of cells, water, blood, veins, organs and the like to continue in their respective being.

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