Creation and New Creation
Creation and new creation form the great opening and closing movements of the biblical storyline, revealing that God created the world good, that sin brought corruption and death into it, and that through Christ God is restoring and renewing creation so that His purposes are fulfilled forever.
Open the book storylines index
Return to the storyline index when you want to compare the wider canonical movement of Scripture by book.
Why It Matters
Without the theme of creation and new creation, the Bible can be misread as a story about escaping the physical world rather than God's plan to redeem and restore it. This theme shows that salvation is not merely individual forgiveness but the renewal of the entire creation under God's rule.
Plain Language
The Bible begins with God creating the world and calling it good. Because of sin, the world became broken and filled with suffering. Through Jesus, God is working to restore everything He created so that the world will one day be renewed and filled with His presence.
Extended Definition
In Scripture, creation describes God's act of bringing the universe into existence and establishing order, life, and purpose. Humanity was created to steward the earth under God's authority. Sin disrupted this order, bringing corruption, suffering, and death. Through Christ's redemptive work, God begins restoring humanity and promises the future renewal of all creation, culminating in a world free from sin and death where God dwells with His people.
- The Bible does not teach that salvation means escaping the physical world.
- New creation is not merely spiritual renewal but the restoration of the whole created order.
- Creation should not be viewed as separate from redemption in the biblical storyline.
Canonical Role
Storyline Function: Creation and new creation frame the entire biblical narrative, beginning with God's original design and ending with His restored and perfected world.
Gospel Connection: Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God begins the renewal of humanity and the future restoration of creation.
Church Formation: The church lives between creation and new creation, bearing witness to the coming renewal of all things.
Biblical Storyline Arc
Creation Root: God creates the heavens and the earth, establishing order and life and declaring His creation good.
Creation Corrupted by Sin
Human rebellion introduces disorder, suffering, and death into the created world.
Hope for Restoration
Prophets anticipate a future renewal of creation under God's reign.
Promise of Cosmic Renewal
Scripture points forward to a time when God's people will live in a restored creation.
New Testament Fulfillment: The resurrection of Jesus marks the beginning of the new creation and guarantees the future renewal of all things.
Consummation: God brings about a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness, peace, and fellowship with God are fully restored.
Foundational Passages
Key Terms
Teaching Path
Start Here: Explain that God created the world good and purposeful.
Next Step: Trace how sin introduced brokenness and suffering into creation.
Deeper Study: Explore how Christ's resurrection begins the renewal of creation.
Teaching Warning: Do not present salvation as escape from creation rather than its restoration.
For Those New to Scripture: Begin with the question of why the world contains both beauty and suffering.
Canonical Threads
Meta-Narrative Arc
Ministry Applications
Confessional Anchors
WCF 4 confesses that God created all things very good and made humanity in His image; WCF 32-33 look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment that ushers in the renewal of all things.
HC Q26 confesses the Father as creator of all things who by His providence sustains them; Q57 confesses the resurrection of the body and everlasting life in the new creation.