Is the World Eternal? Does it Predate God?
For more than a decade, I’ve argued that theists should reject the idea God creates something from nothing (creatio ex nihilo). I often explain why and offer an alternative view of God’s creating: creatio ex creatione sempiternalis in amore. You can find my arguments in the recently published T&T Clark Handbook on Suffering and the […]
A Merry-Go-Round Causes Evil
Sometimes Facebook rants make good discussion starters… “If God created men, women, all creatures, and the universe in six freaking days, why is He so powerless to change the horrible things that happen on earth? He’s freaking God!!! With a wave of hand, He should be able to end all this evil. I have to […]
A TimeFull God Creates & Acts with an End in Mind
Many people think a timeless God created the universe and is its eschatological hope. By contrast, I think we make better sense of creation and eschatology if we think God is timefull rather than timeless. In a previous essay, I identified four dimensions of an open and relational — “God-in-process” — view of providence. Here’s […]
Creatio Ex Nihilo and Creation Care
A growing number of Christians see the need to care for creation. But most of these Christians affirm the ancient idea that God created the universe out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo). Does care for creation fit well with creatio ex nihilo? I don’t think so… I’ve been writing a book chapter for a new […]
Overcoming Misunderstandings of My Creation Theory
My new theory of initial creation denies that God creates out of nothing. It says God always and lovingly creates out of that which God previously created. God is ever Creator. But I recognize that my alternative view is open to misunderstandings. So I want to address the most common. Upon first hearing my view […]
Final (Unconvincing) Reasons Some Affirm Creatio Ex Nihilo
In two previous posts, I offered a total of six reasons some believers affirm the theory that God created our universe from absolutely nothing. I also said why I’m not convinced by those reasons. In this essay, I look at the final three reasons some give for why they accept creation from nothing. If you’re […]
(Unconvincing) Reasons Some Affirm Creatio Ex Nihilo
There are good and bad reasons people affirm the idea that God created the universe from nothing. Some have merit. But to me, none are finally convincing. In this essay, I’ll list three such reasons. I plan to address each in detail in my forthcoming book. And I’ll post other reasons in future blogs. What […]
Creatio Ex Nihilo and Its New Rivals
Routledge sent copies yesterday of a new book I edited, Theologies of Creation: Creatio Ex Nihilo and Its New Rivals. It explores current thinking about creation out of nothing, and several essays propose alternative theories of creation.
Creatio Ex Nihilo: The Problem
I believe God created the heavens, the earth, and every living thing. But I think Christians should reject the idea that God created the universe from absolutely nothing.