Series Summary
Set One - Establishing Rules
(Creation)
In the day in which I live, there has been a lot of fervor about a thing known as, Intelligent Design. Some people try to portray this as the method by which the LORD God formed the universe. This seems to be somewhat anthropomorphic; therefore, it is inadequate. To use this expression to summarize the Creation process, is to shortchange the majesty of creation; for, intelligence itself is a part of Creation, and not the sum total thereof. So, let us move away from those fabricated weapons that people use, too often, in an attempt to drive a perceived adversary into submission. Yes, this is precisely the purpose to which such terms as, Intelligent Design, Trinity, and other such summaries of the nature and behavior of God, are applied.
To give you some foundation for disposing of these terms--as well as any other such limiting words and expressions--consider the following facts: the King James Version of the Bible contains neither the word intelligent, nor design, nor trinity. So, let us look for some of the ways that the LORD God did allow us to understand Creation.
One may ask how I refer to the Creation, when I am trying to give my find a mental handle. Well, this is the mental crutch that I use: Instant Activation--as contained in the word, Let. This idea came upon me while reviewing the initial statements about the Creation of the kingdom of man. In the transcript presented to Moses, and delivered to us, there are references such as the following:
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
(Genesis 1:3; 1:9; 1:14; 1:20; 1:24)
There just does not seem to be any mention of an intermediate use of the concept of intelligence; which, under our current understanding of it, would not have been available in the kingdom of man until the point where the LORD called forth, and said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature. Furthermore, considering the level of intelligence that is required for the phrase, Intelligent Design, this level would not have been available as a construct of reality until God called the following into existence:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(Genesis 1:26-27)
Now, we could suppose that the intelligence that operates in man is a part of the activity of God where He created man in his own image. Therefore, we could suppose that since we prepare our designs based on intelligence (sometimes), this must, necessarily, be a restriction that we can apply to God’s work. First, it should be obvious that any attempt to restrict God is meaningless, except where He has listed a particular restriction in the Bible. Since God did not reveal any restriction of His that involves the necessary use of intelligence or design, to place such restrictions on your understanding of the work of the LORD, would require a carnal stretch of the written word of the Bible. God did not need to have the intervention of intelligence to bring forth what we see all around us. God simply had to point the Creation of the kingdom of man at the example of the Kingdom of Heaven; that is, if He can be said to have given Creation the assignment to create things in a fashion that is independent from the LORD God and His Word.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(Romans 1:20-21)
Therefore, discarding the concept of Intelligent Design, and shelving the crutch of Instant Activation, we move to the written word of Scripture for counsel on this matter. Well, as we move through Scripture, we do indeed find a place where the LORD had something to say about the process that God uses to call things forth.
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
(Isaiah 45:18-19)
It seems that we can summarize the entire Creation activity in the words of the LORD: I the LORD speak righteousness. There is no need for a long process of Design, or the application of some form of Absolutely Primordial Intelligence. The only thing that was required was for the LORD to speak it. Please do not be dismayed, the LORD did provide us with very good insight into the methodology that He used, in that Pre-Existence time. We will highlight this method, in raising the level of human understanding of the Work of the Creator.
From the Bible in the book of Proverbs, chapter eight begins with a kind of summarization of the LORD’S methodology, which God shared with the kingdom of man. In the summation; first, the method introduces itself.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
(Proverbs 8:1-21)
Next, the method itself, tells us how it connected to the LORD’S Creation.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
(Proverbs 8:22-31)
The method wraps up its presentation with an admonition; a request to us, for each one of us to obtain the method of the Creator.
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
(Proverbs 8:32-36)
It would seem reasonable to accept this method as the starting point for our understanding of Creation. After all, since it is, shall we say, good enough for the LORD; it must be more than sufficient for us. This is a portion of God's power, as are all things in heaven and earth; for, Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. All Creation that requires it has access to this method, as a portion of its existence from God, including the creation known as, man. Scripture tells us, in the announcement of man’s access to it . . .
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
(James 1:5-8)
Wherefore instead of inventing high-sounding philosophies and philosophical expressions, this Series relies on the Scripture. In this way, we will have the LORD'S phraseology as pertains to God's workings in this, our reality. In that spirit, and in the Spirit, we invite you to proceed through the study of this Series. For, with your spiritual involvement, we invite you to explore the activities of the LORD God in Establishing the Rules of the kingdom of man at Creation, as presented in the flow of works that are the contents of Series One.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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Life Learning Series Publication Order
Book Set One
This set includes the following published works (click the title for direct ordering):
1 Didn't Go! (The View From The Top) Paperback and Hardcover
2. Slander of Peter (An Accepted Form of Idolatry) Paperback
3. Reconciliation (The Children of Abraham) Hardcover
4. The Great Consolidation (Reconciling the Family of God)
Also to be included in this set are the following works that are in pre-publication status. As they become available, the Publication Order Form will be updated to indicate the terms of their availability.
5. From the Beginning (The Methodology of God)
6. God Above (Beyond Reality) - fiction
7. Of the Seven (The Eighth Empire)
Additional Publications
Blogosphere Madness 2009 (Ravings of a Religious Fanatic)