Plantinga Chapter 2

Plantinga states that "Creation is neither a necessity nor an accident. Instead, given God's interior life that overflows with regard for others, we might say creation is an act fitting for God." There was nothing before Creation except for God alone. He chose to create a world because of His wonderful imagination and creativity. The fact that God does not need creation and yet chose it is a very humbling experience for me. The constant reminder that creation brings delight to God gives me a lot of perspective. I live to bring glory to God, to live in His Will, and bring Him delight in His creation.

Anther important aspect that stood out to me in Plantinga's writing was the fact that God created humans in His likeness. "God has seen fit to make room in the universe for creatures who bear some of the glory of their Maker, and who, even on the rainiest Monday morning of their lives, look something like God. We image God in our personhood, communion, responsibility, dignity, virtue, suffering, and freedom." What a completely amazing statement! We are created in the likeness of God, not because we had something to do with it, but because God chose us to be a light in His creation. I find this completely humbling because God chose us, even fallen sinners, to bear Himself in this world.

Being an image bearer is not a title to be taken lightly. God has a purpose for everything in His wonderful creation. He made us in His likeness in order to be closer to Him and to be with Him in eternity. Because we bear His image, it is extremely important for followers of Christ to constantly strive to be like God in order to fulfill His purpose for us. We need to be in constant worship with Him in everything that we do. God created every creature to worship Him in their own ways. Plantinga gave the example of how even humpback whales worship God in their own way. Creation is redeemable, and God calls us to reach out to His hurting world in His likeness, kindness, gentleness, and love.