Creation: The Apple of God's Eye

by Justo L. González, William H. Willimon (Editor)

How and why God loves us—God's good creationThis book will talk about the doctrine of creation and invite us to look closely at who God is and who we are in relationship with God. As people of faith, we believe that our gracious God created all there is, but does that also mean that God also created evil? How does creation jive with what scientists are telling us about the origin of the universe? What does the doctrine of creation tell us about what we call "the creation," that is, the world, its value, purpose, etc? How does understanding the world as God’s creation teach us about our role in creation care?The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and earth, but does that deny the science of the Big Bang? What does believing that God is the Creator say about how God loves, redeems, and sustains us today or does creation say something only about the past? What about the "new creation''? Does this have anything to do with the old creation? Does it mean simply that God is so tired of the rebelliousness of creation that it seems best to erase the present one and start anew? Or is there a connection between the two?What does the doctrine of creation say about us? Aren’t we created in God’s image and aren’t we part of the good creation of a loving God? If so, why is there evil and rebelliousness in us? Where does our ill-will, our desire to do evil, come from? Is there freedom of the will or are all things preordained by God? Just how detailed is God’s plan for us?While no one author can deal with all these questions, this book will help us begin the conversation and gain new understanding of how the doctrine of creation can help us address these very human and timeless questions.Series How to Love God with Your Mind is a series of books written by widely recognized authors who will help readers think more clearly about their faith and better understand their beliefs, so that they can live more faithfully. These books will also help readers become aware of thoughtful resources and conceptual frames of reference that not only will deepen their faith, but also help them better understand what we say and do in Church. Conversational in tone, these books are reflections on major theological topics and are suitable for a 4-session individual or group study. The intent of the series is to help readers feel as though they are sitting, having coffee as authors share their “take” and show that by thinking more clearly about the faith, persons can love God more fully, live with confidence, and change the world.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2015

About the author

Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought and other major works, attended United Seminary in Cuba, received his MA at Yale, and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale. He is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background. He helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Theological Initiative. Dr González is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Rob McFarren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one slowly, with others where we could talk about each chapter. It's a small book and set up for groups or studies to read. it should not be taken as a comprehensive read, covering and discussing all elements of creation. However, it is succinct and clear in it's message and point. I found it encouraging, important, and a great introduction for people into the implications of the Biblical accounts of creation and the "why" versus the "how." A solid read and great for groups and discussion.

[JD Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a class. I found it really enjoyable with some creative interpretations the creation narratives that I’d never heard before.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked some of the pieces here, like how it talked about the two creation stories. And I appreciate anything that talks about the Incarnation in the absence of sin (though some mention of modern Orthodox thought on this would have been nice!).

The emphasis on God's rest was really interesting. González's take on it (and the connections to the rest of scripture) wasn't one I had considered much before. I think it made me uncomfortable in productive ways.

There was far too much use of "Judeo-Christian," in ways that I would guess are not entirely accurate or really ought to have been broadened to all Abrahamic religions.

[Hector E Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena reflexión

Gran reflexión teológica sobre la creación de Dios, centrada en el ser humano. El Dr Justo González vacuna cátedra de reflexión teológica combinada con la historia y la teología de la Iglesia de forma sencilla y pastoral.