Using the Creation Account in Evangelism and Apologetics
The biblical account of creation, particularly as presented in Genesis 1–2, serves as a foundational element in Christian evangelism and apologetics, offering a framework for understanding God, humanity, and the origin of sin [10]. This account asserts that all things were created by God, providing a reasonable explanation for the world's existence [1].
The creation narrative establishes God as the sole Creator, distinguishing Him from the deities of surrounding nations [10]. The word "create" (Hebrew: bara) is used three times in Genesis 1, specifically in relation to the origin of matter, the origin of life, and the origin of humanity's soul [1]. This highlights God's unique power to bring into existence that which had no previous existence [2]. The creation is attributed to God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, indicating a Trinitarian involvement in the creative act [2, 11]. For instance, John 1:3 states that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," referring to Christ [2].
The Genesis account details creation occurring "in the beginning" and unfolding over six "normal days" [2]. This process involved God's command, as seen in Psalm 33:9, "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm" [2]. The creation was not arbitrary but was executed according to God's purpose and for His pleasure [2]. A key aspect of this creation is the special attention given to humanity, made in God's image to exercise dominion over the earth and to participate in God's Sabbath rest [10].
In evangelism, the creation account lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of humanity and the problem of sin. The second creation account in Genesis 2:4-25, while not a separate creation, expands on the initial narrative by focusing on the first man and woman and introducing themes of good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, and harmony and discord [8]. The narrative of the fall in Genesis 3 reveals the origin of sin, describing it not merely as eating forbidden fruit but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [5]. This act introduced sin into the world, leading to a universal human condition of sinfulness [7].
The concept of original sin, derived from the Genesis account, is crucial for evangelism. All human beings are born sinners, a condition contrasted with the godly who fight against their sinful nature [3]. Sin is understood as a rebellion against God [6], and those who commit sin are described as "of the devil" [4]. This universal sinfulness means that humanity cannot find favor with God through their own actions [7]. The creation account thus establishes the need for a redeemer, as it explains why humanity is separated from a holy God [7].
Apologetically, the creation account provides a coherent explanation for the origin of the world, contrasting with other ancient cosmologies [10]. It presents a God who is powerful, purposeful, and intimately involved in His creation. The account also highlights the dignity of humanity as created in God's image, providing a basis for human value and morality. The call to "remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1) underscores the ongoing relevance of acknowledging God as Creator throughout one's life [9, 11]. Believing in God's work of creation is an act of faith, as stated in Hebrews 11:3, "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God" [2].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Creation — (The creation of all things is ascribed in the Bible to God, and is the only reasonable account of the origin of the world. The method of creation is not stated in Genesis, and as far as the account there is concerned, each part of it may be, after the first acts of creation, by evolution, or by direct act of God's will. The word create (bara) is used but three times in the first chapter of Genesis-- (1) as to the origin of matter; (2) as to the origin of life; (3) as to the origin of man's soul; and science has always failed to do any of these acts thus as”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 2:4: 2:4-25 This account (see study note on 2:4) of the heavens and the earth is not a second creation account; rather, it is a theological and historical expansion on 1:1–2:3. The focus is now on what the cosmos produced rather than on its creation. Special attention is given to the first man and woman. As the story progresses, it is colored by contrasts of good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, life and death, harmony and discord. 2:4 This is the account (literally These are the generations; Hebrew toledoth): This or a similar phrase is repeated throughout Genesis, ”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 12:1: Here is, I. A call to young people to think of God, and mind their duty to him, when they are young: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. This is, 1. The royal preacher's application of his sermon concerning the vanity of the world and every thing in it. "You that are young flatter yourselves with expectations of great things from it, but believe those that have tried it; it yields no solid satisfaction to a soul; therefore, that you may not be deceived by this vanity, nor too much disturbed by it, remember your Creator, and so guard yourselves”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:1: 1:1–2:3 These verses introduce the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) and teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God and not by the gods of surrounding nations. • God blessed three specific things: animal life (1:22-25), human life (1:27), and the Sabbath day (2:3). This trilogy of blessings highlights the Creator’s plan: Humankind was made in God’s image to enjoy sovereign dominion over the creatures of the earth and to participate in God’s Sabbath rest. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: This statem”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 12:1: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,.... Or "Creators" (b); as "Makers", Job 35:10; for more than one were concerned, as in the creation of all things in general, so of man in particular, Gen 1:26; and these are neither more nor fewer than three; and are Father, Son, Spirit; the one God that has created men, Mal 2:10; the Father, who is the God of all flesh, and the Father of spirits; the former both of the bodies and souls of men, Jer 31:27; the Son, by whom all things are created; for he that is the Redeemer and husband of his church, which are c”