The Fourth Creation

an OVERVIEW

The first chapter of Genesis shows not one, but three, and not more than three, acts of God in creation. Most people seem to miss this. “To create” and “to make” are not the same thing. "To create," which is to produce something the like of which had not previously existed, can mean “to make” something; but “to make something” is not necessarily to “create.” We must strictly observe this distinction. The three acts of creation are (1) the creation of the material universe, i.e., the two heavens and the earth, vs. 1; (2) the creation of intelligent self-moving life, vs. 21; and (3) the creation of the human being, both male and female, and fashioned in the “image” of the Creator, “The Omnipotent One,” vs. 27.

Since there were three “creations” in Genesis, then we have named the “creation” in Ephesians to be a “Fourth Creation.” This one Fourth Creation involves the uniting of Jew and Gentile, of men and women, of parents and children, and masters and slaves. Although “one” we are diverse. As members of this Fourth Creation, we have mutual relationships and responsibilities, both in our relationships with others who are a part of this Creation, and also toward the outside world, and even in our duties in the spiritual war that surrounds us.

The suggestion is hinted that in the new regime, God is reversing the order of creation He followed in Genesis. The Fourth Creation is a new man, corresponding to the third creation of Genesis; when Jesus returns will come a Fifth Creation, restoring peaceful relationships in the “self-moving” animal world of the Second Creation; and finally, in the eternity to come, there will be “New Heavens and a New Earth,” corresponding to the First Creation of Genesis 1:1. Of course, these, being future, are only hinted at.

The first man, whom we call “Adam,” was created “in the image of the Omnipotent One,” and to have dominion over the rest of God’s creation. But Adam, by his sin, failed, and so brought ruin upon not only himself but also upon all his descendants and the rest of creation.

So, if God is to start again, He needs a new “adam.” Wherefore the Apostle Paul spoke of Jesus as “the last Adam.” (I Corinthians 15:45.) Jesus Christ had the assignment to succeed where Adam failed. He was to be the “ideal man,” the perfect man, perfect before God. He was to be “the very image of His” (God’s) substance.” (Hebrews 1:3.)

Practically all of the Scripture quotations used herein are from the American Standard Version which was published in 1901. The writer, who possesses more than twelve versions of the Bible (either in whole or just the New Testament) prefers the 1901 ASV to any other. Perhaps this is because he learned to use it and became familiar with it when he was a seminary student nearly seventy years ago. But he also believes that this ASV more accurately translates the exact words from the original languages than the “simplified for American ears” versions which are in more common use today. In fact, he regrets that this 1901 ASV is now apparently out of print.

Norman L. MacLeod Jr.