Tuesday, March 27, 2007
What before Creation?
During one of the Q&As at the Ligonier Conference, someone asked, "What was God doing before creation?"
Piper answered from Luther, "He was creating a hell for theology students who ask such questions."
Pretty funny.
But I was just pondering the question now, and I think the question is asked wrongly. God is eternally existent. Eternity is not bound by time. I've heard it described as God is always now. So, as I was pondering this question, I considered that time is just a "pocket" of the infinite "scope" of eternity. (I use these terms very loosely as, while time could be considered a pocket, eternity is by definition without scope). In eternity, there is not a before creation that is any different than the after creation. In that sense, there is no before creation. It is all eternity.
In my humble understanding, the question should be stated, "What is God doing in eternity?" The answer would be that He is both glorifying Himself and being glorified. He is both enjoying Himself and being enjoyed. Eternity is glorious joy and joyous glory.
How good is God that He has allowed this pin prick in eternity called Time in which He shines the light of His glory into our lives here and then prepared a Way for us to come enjoy the glory of eternity with Him.
Piper answered from Luther, "He was creating a hell for theology students who ask such questions."
Pretty funny.
But I was just pondering the question now, and I think the question is asked wrongly. God is eternally existent. Eternity is not bound by time. I've heard it described as God is always now. So, as I was pondering this question, I considered that time is just a "pocket" of the infinite "scope" of eternity. (I use these terms very loosely as, while time could be considered a pocket, eternity is by definition without scope). In eternity, there is not a before creation that is any different than the after creation. In that sense, there is no before creation. It is all eternity.
In my humble understanding, the question should be stated, "What is God doing in eternity?" The answer would be that He is both glorifying Himself and being glorified. He is both enjoying Himself and being enjoyed. Eternity is glorious joy and joyous glory.
How good is God that He has allowed this pin prick in eternity called Time in which He shines the light of His glory into our lives here and then prepared a Way for us to come enjoy the glory of eternity with Him.
1 Comments:
This is an instance when I think the definition of Christian Hedonism breaks down. That is to say, "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him". From a created perspective this is a true statement. Yet God was glorified and being glorified before our existence. He is not dependent on His creation but has graciously allowed us to glorify Him.
I really like how you place time as a mere pin prick in eternity. We have good reason to view our time as a little vapor that appears but for a moment then vanishes.
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