Our Calling to Christ-like Creativity

Another block to studying the doctrine of creation and its implications for our lives is that it is not seen as a specifically Christian doctrine. After all, Jews and Muslims believe in creation, as do Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. If it’s not a distinctively Christian doctrine, why write or read about it. Let’s move on to more Christ-centered, more Gospel-centered material.

But wait a minute. Although the Bible initially ascribes creation to God in general (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 40:12), the New Testament attributes the primary role in creation to Jesus (1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:15-17; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:1-3). Although all three persons of the Godhead were involved, yet Jesus, the Son of God, is given the most prominent and productive role in creating the world and everything in it.

Which raises a question. We can all see a role for Christ in saving the world, or in re-creating it. But why involve Him in a perfect world that needed no redemption…yet?

Answer: Creation is part of Redemption.

As there was a plan to redeem the world before the world was created, creation was a redemptive act, in the sense that it was part of the plan of redemption, and done with a view to redemption.

In creating the world, Christ was setting the stage for the unfolding drama of redemption. He designed the props, the background, the lighting, the set, the actors, etc. He made sure that everything was suited to the redemption He planned to perform.

Created with a view to re-creating
When we begin to look at creation through the lens of redemption, we see not just Christ’s power, wisdom, sovereignty, etc. but we also see His mercy. The way He created was with a view to re-creating and to explaining re-creation. For example, salvation is portrayed as being re-made in the image of Christ, being lighted by Christ, of Sabbathing in Christ, of marrying Christ, etc., all “invented” at the original creation.

When Christ was making the sheep, the sparrows, the sun, the stars, the grass, the flowers, etc., He did so in the knowledge that He would use these to teach old creatures how to become new creatures.

Creation has a redeeming role
Looking at creation as made by Jesus with our salvation in view changes the way we look at creation. We’re used to speaking of redeeming creation, but we should also speak of redemptive creation. Creation itself has a redeeming role. Creation is Christ-ian. Now that should motivate study of creation, shouldn’t it?

And not only study, but it should also inspire creativity. Because if our creator is Christ, creativity is part of our calling to be Christ-like.

Previous Posts in Created to Create series
Competitive Creativity
“But I’m just a Mom!”
Creatorless Creativity
Creationist Quarterbacks
Concrete or Crocuses
Don’t kills Do
World Flight and World Fright

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