Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”

In the beginning, this phrase shows us the point where all time (and space) began, and that God created all things at a particular moment. It is translated “in the beginning” in John 1:1, which shows that unlike some modern bible versions, it wouldn’t be translated “when”.

God, Elohim, the word translated here, is actually a plural, and while not a proof of the trinity itself (there’s plenty of proof elsewhere in the bible), is good evidence that Israel knew of his plural nature. Other verses elsewhere, let us know that the Son (word) and Spirit (wisdom) were involved also. The nature of the Trinity is also not just a Christian doctrine, but also the point of view of some Jewish rabbis. Another aspect of the plurality is the wide use in hebrew of the plural to express the intensity of a singular item. Elohim seems to be traced back to a root denoting “adoration with fear”.

created, The hebrew word used here, “bara”, emphasizes the initiation of the object, and is only used in reference to God. This sentence is phrased in such a way as to show “creatio ex nihilo”, creation out of nothing.

the heaven and the earth., an expression denoting the universe in it’s entirety, hebrew not having a single word for this; “heaven” in the hebrew here is actually a dualism (a plurality of two), possibly alluding to the two physical heavens, sky & space (2 Cor. 12:2).

Notes & Quotes

From “The Genesis Record” by Henry M. Morris:

“…this one verse refutes all of man’s false philosophies concerning the origin and meaning of the world:

1. It refutes atheism, because the universe was created by God.
2. It refutes pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created.
3. It refutes polytheism, for one God created all things.
4. It refutes materialism, for matter had a beginning.
5. It refutes dualism, because God was alone when He created.
6. It refutes humanism, because God, not man, is the ultimate reality.
7. It refutes evolutionism, because God created all things.”

And J.G. Murphy points out, that if refutes fatalism, for it involves the freedom of the eternal being.

R.J. Rushdoony, in his commentary on Genesis, states:

“There can be no understanding of the God of Scripture, nor of Scripture, without an acceptance of creationism. The goal of the evolutionists is not to present assured and substantiated facts but, first, to replace God with chance. Any god permitted in their scheme of things is a struggling, evolving god, who, like man, evolved as a product. Second, Darwinism in all its forms seeks to replace order and design with mindless coincidences. Order and design are too indicative of the hand of God and must be scornfully derided. Third, the Darwinians hate God, they fear God, and they war against God. Their contempt does not make God go away!

But to assume the Darwinian position is to posit a vast potentiality in the universe which makes it a mindless force equal to God!”

Why?

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:11

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Ps 19:1

All creation is for his glory, and that is good news for the elect, since we have been chosen to glorify him, and we will be most satisfied when he is most glorified. Those who deny creation, deny the glory of God, and therefore reject God.