Counter CultureSampel

Human Life

But a foundational belief in God as Creator and humans as His creation shapes our view of all human life. Not only are we created by God, but we are also created uniquely—distinct from everything else in His creation. We aren’t merely a more sophisticated animal at the top of the food chain. We’re a unique creation. We see it here in Genesis 1. 

Over and over throughout the creation narrative, God spoke with authority to His creation.
Up to this point God had spoken for six days, “Let there be this. Let there be that.” And it was so. And it was good. Every time. The expression of His will is always good. By the sheer power of 

His voice, He created everything up to this point. And He saw that it was good.

Don’t miss that second part. First, it was all established by His power and authority. Second, He declared it to be good. This is a deeply personal point. This isn’t an abstract concept or a random detail. The created order, all of God’s design, is good. He takes delight in His creation. God isn’t indifferent. Everything was the exact expression of His desire. He spoke it all into being.

Then there’s a sudden and significant change in the pattern. The pattern that had built up over the six days of creation highlights the distinction and the break in the rhythm. This should grab our attention and cause us to ask, “Why the change?” God had been speaking to creation and creating things according to their kind. Then see what He did.

Man isn’t just a more sophisticated or better adapted creature. We aren’t distinct among other organisms—plants and animals—by a matter of degree. Humans—men and women—are uniquely created in the image of God. We aren’t God. We aren’t exactly like Him. Obviously, we’re unable to speak physical matter and living beings into existence, for starters. But we share a special relationship with Him that no other created being experiences in all His good creation. Human beings are valuable because they are image bearers.