This is part of an ongoing series that establishes the foundation of my faith. It may seem a little academic to some, too light for others. I have endeavored to strike a balance in order to provide clear reasons and support for each belief. The bottom line of my faith is that I believe the Bible has a message from God, the Creator of all life. That message is one of truth and love, justice and forgiveness and above all, an invitation to abundant life.

Adam was created perfect, without sin or any fault; He chose to rebel against God.

Because we are descended from Adam, we bear his guilt, propensity to sin and condemnation.

          This is probably one of the most significant premises in my belief system. Everything else radiates from this one truth. Instead of believing we are all inherently good, I believe what the Bible teaches, that we have an inclination to do evil. Because of the rebellious choices made by the first man and woman (see Genesis 3), all their offspring have that same propensity toward rebellion, violence and cruelty. In theological terms it is called a sin nature. In practical terms, it means that every one of us is capable of great depravity.

          Before Eve and Adam chose to disregard God’s instruction, life was idyllic. There was no death, no destruction, no unhappiness. With that one act of disobedience and rebellion, they condemned all of mankind to a battle with a dark nature. Only divine intervention could negate the consequences of their choice.

……………………..Supporting Scripture……………………….

• Genesis chapters 2 and 3.
• Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12 NIV)
• We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Romans 8:22 NIV)
• Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? (Proverbs 20:9 NIV)
• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NIV)
• For the wages of sin is death, (Romans 6:23a NIV)
• As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10 NIV)
• Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. (Romans 5:14 NIV)

This is part of an ongoing series that establishes the foundation of my faith. It may seem a little academic to some, too light for others. I have endeavored to strike a balance in order to provide clear reasons and support for each belief. The bottom line of my faith is that I believe the Bible has a message from God, the Creator of all life. That message is one of truth and love, justice and forgiveness and above all, an invitation to abundant life.

          God created the world, the planets and stars, the entire universe.

          There are multiple Scripture references to God creating the world. You can find a few at the bottom of this post. Because I believe the Bible to be the Word of God, I believe it when it says God made the world. Interestingly, though, so many of the physical aspects of geology, archeology and anthropology corroborate what the Bible says. Renowned scientists admit there has to have been some design to the world’s creation. It does not take rejection of science to believe the Bible when it says God made the world.

          Again, I’m not capable of answering all the arguments against believing the world was created. I’m not a technical, scientific type of person. I’m a creative. Get too deep into the technical and scientific explanations for anything, and my brain glazes. I am intelligent, though, with a reasonable ability to logically observe and evaluate others’ arguments, explanations and suppositions. While I may not totally comprehend all the facts and nuances of origins, the facts seem to more clearly indicate the world was designed and created than that everything happened by chance.

          Of course, not everyone believes that. That’s fine. As Paul said, “And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” (Philippians 3:15b) I’m not trying to persuade anyone. I’m organizing and verbalizing my beliefs so readers will understand my perspective as they read my posts. If you would like to know some of the facts and evidences that point to a created world, sites like Institute for Creation Research and Answers in Genesis are great places to begin your search.

……………………..Supporting Scripture……………………….

• In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
• For this is what the LORD says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:18)
• the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful for ever. (Ps 146:6)
• “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand—I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” ( Isa 51:12-16)