"In the
beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth." KJV Genesis1:1a
בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא
אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ.
Who is GOD, what is
GOD and why would a perfect GOD create man?
Attempting to
understand the mind of GOD is a monumental task, if not impossible; since we
barely understand ourselves.
I
--> "The ALL is Spirit, unknowable and undefinable."
"The truth is
that we do not have the power to understand what GOD is, and just as we cannot
understand Him, so we cannot understand His reasons." Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Make no mistake, our
finite minds and understanding are so far removed from the Mind of the Infinite
GOD in whom we exist.
If we use the skills
of observation and deduction, like a scientist or the caricature Sherlock
Holmes, we may be able to come to a simplified understanding of GOD and His
purpose for creation. Keep in mind,
science is an organized system for the study of particular aspects of the
natural world. But, science is limited
by our senses [sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell]. Science emphasizes an objective approach and
is mostly concerned with how things occur rather than why they occur. A scientist is mainly interested in how the
natural world works. They are not
interested in questions of ultimate purpose.
Remember, all things that operate outside of the natural world are
supernatural.
Let's first take a
look at a few of our options for beginning this task.
a.
We may begin by attempting to communicate with GOD. How do we do this? What should we say? When is the best time to attempt to open
communications.
b.
Another option would be to examine a multitude of ancient manuscripts on the
subject of Divinity and creation. Here
we can examine what men and women from time immemorial have written about their
experiences with the living GOD. We may
also come to an understanding of how they began a relationship with GOD. This may also reveal what GOD's true purpose
is for his creation, man.
c.
In order to comprehend the magnitude of our GOD, we should first understand the
difference between created and made.
Beginning with c.,
the word made is the past tense and present participle of make. According to
dictionary.com, it's a verb[action] and means to bring into existence by
shaping or changing material, combining parts, etc. Make is to put together, construct or
compose, from things that already exist; atoms, molecules, elements, etc.
Using the same
source, the word 'create', also a verb, means to evolve from one's own thought
or imagination, as a work of art or an invention. Here we have no materials[Primum Mobile] just
thought.
"By faith we
understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of GOD, so that what is
seen was not made out of things which are visible." Hebrews 11:3
Option b., examining
a multitude of ancient manuscripts on this subject would be our next step. The Bible is an excellent collection of
manuscripts about a Holy GOD.
"The
Bible (from Koine Greek τὰ βιβλία, tà biblía, "the books"[1] ) is a collection of texts sacred
in Judaism and Christianity. It is a collection of scriptures written at
different times by different authors in different locations. Jews and
Christians consider the books of the Bible to be a product of divine
inspiration or an authoritative record of the relationship between God and
humans." Wikipedia
According to The Bible, GOD is The Divine Creator, the Father. Professor Guyot adds that "whenever the
simple form of בָּרָא used in the bible it always refers to a
work made by GOD and never by man. These considerations, with others, justify
the statement that 'created' here means created out of nothing."
We are told that GOD
is a Divine Presence; "For in him we live, and move, and have our
being;" [KJV Acts 17:28].
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be
the glory forever. Amen." KJV Romans 11:36.
Here we have the
simplistic answer to who and what GOD is.
There is much more detail throughout the Holy Bible and the ancient
manuscripts.
Why would a perfect
GOD create man? "For He hath
satisfied the longing soul, and the hungry soul He hath filled with good."
Psalm 107:9 GOD is pure goodness. His
purpose for creating man was to let us experience and share that goodness. He wants us to desire companionship with Him
and our fellowman. What can we derive
from this gift of goodness? Firstly, there is no greater good than GOD.
Therefore, the greatest good He can give is Himself. To experience this good gift, we must be
at-one with GOD [atonement]. Thus, we
must partake of his essence[image] in order to experience Him and fulfill the
purpose of His creation. The
magnificence of this gift is that He must ultimately give us the ability to
receive this gift as well.
"The more we
expand our awareness of GOD's Presence and the Divine Hand that guides our
lives, the greater will be our capacity to receive." Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
"Know ye not
that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile
the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which
temple ye are. Let no man deceive
himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become
a fool, that he may be wise. For the
wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of
the wise, that they are vain. Therefore
let no man glory in men. For all things
are your's;" 1 Corinthians 3:16-21
Man must recognize
that he is a vessel of GOD and strive to live in his image; holy and
righteous. We are that temple of GOD and
are created to be in a constant relationship with Him. This relationship is
paramount; since He has also made man responsible for earth.
"The GOD who
made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does
not dwell in temples maid with hands." KJV Acts 17:24
