Christian Beliefs About Creation
Christians believe the universe did not appear by chance but was created by God. Learn what Christians believe about creation, from creation out of nothing to caring for the world, and how they respond to scientific ideas like the Big Bang.
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Why is there a universe?
For Christians, the universe did not simply appear by chance. They believe that God created everything that exists, on purpose and with care. In this module you learn what Christians believe about creation, how they read the creation account, and how many of them respond to scientific ideas about how the universe began.
Creator and stewardship words
Four ideas run through Christian teaching on creation. Learn them first.
Match the belief
- Creator
- Creation out of nothing
- Image of God
- Stewardship
- God brought the whole universe into existence
- God made everything without using material that already existed
- Humans are made to reflect God and so have special value
- Humans have a duty to care for the world
Out of nothing
What do Christians mean by creation out of nothing?
- God created without using any material that already existed
- God reshaped material that was already there
- The universe made itself from natural forces
- God copied an earlier universe
Two ways to read the account
Christians do not all read the creation account in the same way. Both readings are widely held.
Match the view
- A literal reading
- A non-literal reading
- The scientific account
- Caring for creation
- Christians who take the account as six actual days
- Christians who see the account as symbolic and accept science
- Ideas like the Big Bang and evolution that explain how, not who or why
- Living responsibly because the world was made by God
Looking after the world
Because Christians believe the world was made by God, many feel a duty of stewardship: to look after creation rather than damage it. In practice this can mean protecting the environment, avoiding waste, and treating animals and people with respect.
Creator, and creation from nothing
Christians believe God is the _____ of the universe. The idea that God made everything from nothing is called creation out of _____. Because humans are made in the _____ of God, they have special value. The duty to care for the world is called _____. Christians who read the account as symbolic can accept the _____ and evolution.
Christian creation beliefs
Which of these are Christian beliefs about creation? Choose all that apply.
- God created the universe and everything in it
- God created everything from nothing
- Humans should care for the world as stewards
- The universe created itself by chance
- God had nothing to do with the universe
True or false
Tap the two statements that describe Christian beliefs about creation.
- God created the universe on purpose.
- Humans are made in the image of God.
- Christians believe the universe has no creator.
- Creation out of nothing means God used material that was already there.
Faith and science
How do many Christians view scientific ideas such as the Big Bang?
- Science explains how the universe began, while God explains who created it and why
- Science must be completely rejected
- Science proves that God does not exist
- Science and the creation account say exactly the same words
The order of the account
The creation account describes God creating in stages. Put these stages in the order the account gives.
- God creates light and separates it from darkness
- God creates the sky and the seas
- God creates dry land and plants
- God creates the sun, moon and stars
- God creates the animals and humans, then rests
Which view?
Read each Christian view and choose what it shows.
- A Christian believes the world was made in six ordinary days, exactly as the account describes.
- A Christian believes the account is a poem teaching that God is the creator, and accepts evolution.
- A Christian recycles and avoids waste because they believe the world was made by God and should be cared for.
Explain the beliefs
Explain what Christians believe about creation, and describe how many Christians respond to scientific ideas about how the universe began.
- Say what Christians believe about God and creation
- Explain the difference between a literal and a non-literal reading of the account
- Describe how many Christians see the relationship between faith and science