Questions from a Hat

How Did God Create People?

This is an excellent question, and it must be answered twofold. Essentially, man was created in God’s image and from the ground (with women coming from the man in a slightly different way). According to the creation account in Genesis 1:26–28, God created man in his own image. This is often referred to as the Imago Dei, the Latin phrase translated as “God’s image.” Humans hold a distinct and special place in the created order. Nothing else in creation bears the Imago Dei. But what does this mean? In the verses closing out the opening chapter of Genesis, humans are given two commands: reproduce, and take care of the earth. Creating is one way in which humans share God’s image. God gives humans the ability to partake in creation. This is done by reproducing the human race and by serving as stewards, or caretakers, of the environment. Men and women create every day by producing beautiful babies and by sustaining the world around them. Humans have the intelligence to use natural resources to invent, manipulate, and restore the environment. While some animals can build and organize (birds, ants, beavers, etc.) humans are far superior and unique in the manner by which they interact with the world. Isn’t it truly great that God gives humans the chance to partake in the creation and stewardship of his work? Now, don’t go puffing your ego too much here. Humans can only manipulate what God has given in the first place. God created ex nihilo, which means “out of nothing.” God spoke into absolutely nothing and created everything—well almost everything.