Chapter One
In this chapter we are pursuing the original purpose for which God created. When man fell into sin, he fell away from the ideal of creation. The literal translation of the Hebrew word for “sin” is “missing the mark.” We will explore the nature of “the mark” that was missed. This is relevant, not in order to alter the root of Christian faith, but rather to be best able to define the ultimate fruit and fulfillment of the Christian age. That fruit is, in fact, the very “mark” that was missed in the beginning of time.
Central to this will be the institution of marriage and family. We will find that these are not merely inventions of man, nor are they just based on biblical imperatives but are, rather, institutions that find their origins deep within the very nature of God and are central to the accomplishment of his purpose for creating.
There are several important resources for our discovery of God’s original purpose for creating. The first and foremost is expressed in Hebrews 1:1-3:
In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
All principles and truths related to the nature of God and his purpose for creating are expressed in the manifest relationship between the Father and the Son. Our second resource will be the authorized assertions manifested through God’s Holy Word and expressed in the Bible. Our third resource will be the manifestation of God via the “things that He has made” as indicated in Romans 1:20 and Psalms 19:1-2.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Psalms 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
The Nature of God
In order to understand our relationship with God, of course, we need to be clear about the nature of the God with whom we seek to relate.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
Scripture states that God’s image is male and female. In this sense, it appears that God is a being of two, male and female. However, in Mark 12:29, Jesus asserts, “God is one.” How could God at the same time be “one” and yet display the pair of male and female? What about the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? Is God one, two or three?
We can understand that, in a sense, it is all of those. Think of it in this way: red and blue when engaged in a circular motion, reveal the color magenta. God is magenta. Magenta is “one” color, so God is one. However, magenta appears on the foundation of the engagement of red and blue. So God is also two, red and blue, as in “his image, male and female.” Thus, God is also three: red, blue and magenta, as in the Trinity. All biblical reference to the idea of becoming “one” involves a type of relationship between two. Jesus prayed, for example, in John 17:21 that all believers should be “one” as God and Christ are “one.”
This is why we see the system of pairs as such a fundamental dynamic of the creation. It is because the pair system is the very groundwork of God’s own existence, his “image.” This is why Paul could explain, although God himself is invisible, the things that God has made are a visible manifestation of His invisible nature. The pair system of the universe, then, is the visible manifestation of God. In the creation of man and woman, it is his very image.
We find another type of pair dynamic in God that is manifested in the character and form pair structure of the individual human as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
God is described as “spirit” in John 4:24. This is God’s external manifestation. In Exodus 33:20-23, we find another very interesting record:
“But,” he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."
However, just as we would have to delve into the internal nature of a human to understand his true being, likewise in order to know the fullest nature of God one must transcend a surface understanding of His existence. Instead, scripture leads us into the innermost regions of God’s internal and personal nature. It is here that the foundation of our relationship with Him is discovered. It is here, then, that our position in the universe, our fundamental unique value and identity, is realized. Who am I? I am the one who is loved by God.
1 John 4:16 God is love
Central to this will be the institution of marriage and family. We will find that these are not merely inventions of man, nor are they just based on biblical imperatives but are, rather, institutions that find their origins deep within the very nature of God and are central to the accomplishment of his purpose for creating.
There are several important resources for our discovery of God’s original purpose for creating. The first and foremost is expressed in Hebrews 1:1-3:
In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
All principles and truths related to the nature of God and his purpose for creating are expressed in the manifest relationship between the Father and the Son. Our second resource will be the authorized assertions manifested through God’s Holy Word and expressed in the Bible. Our third resource will be the manifestation of God via the “things that He has made” as indicated in Romans 1:20 and Psalms 19:1-2.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Psalms 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
The Nature of God
In order to understand our relationship with God, of course, we need to be clear about the nature of the God with whom we seek to relate.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
Scripture states that God’s image is male and female. In this sense, it appears that God is a being of two, male and female. However, in Mark 12:29, Jesus asserts, “God is one.” How could God at the same time be “one” and yet display the pair of male and female? What about the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? Is God one, two or three?
We can understand that, in a sense, it is all of those. Think of it in this way: red and blue when engaged in a circular motion, reveal the color magenta. God is magenta. Magenta is “one” color, so God is one. However, magenta appears on the foundation of the engagement of red and blue. So God is also two, red and blue, as in “his image, male and female.” Thus, God is also three: red, blue and magenta, as in the Trinity. All biblical reference to the idea of becoming “one” involves a type of relationship between two. Jesus prayed, for example, in John 17:21 that all believers should be “one” as God and Christ are “one.”
This is why we see the system of pairs as such a fundamental dynamic of the creation. It is because the pair system is the very groundwork of God’s own existence, his “image.” This is why Paul could explain, although God himself is invisible, the things that God has made are a visible manifestation of His invisible nature. The pair system of the universe, then, is the visible manifestation of God. In the creation of man and woman, it is his very image.
We find another type of pair dynamic in God that is manifested in the character and form pair structure of the individual human as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
God is described as “spirit” in John 4:24. This is God’s external manifestation. In Exodus 33:20-23, we find another very interesting record:
“But,” he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."
However, just as we would have to delve into the internal nature of a human to understand his true being, likewise in order to know the fullest nature of God one must transcend a surface understanding of His existence. Instead, scripture leads us into the innermost regions of God’s internal and personal nature. It is here that the foundation of our relationship with Him is discovered. It is here, then, that our position in the universe, our fundamental unique value and identity, is realized. Who am I? I am the one who is loved by God.
1 John 4:16 God is love
The Principle of Creation
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