Creation - Creativity - Human Creativity
Creativity is one of the first themes readers encounter in the Bible. In the first chapters of the Genesis, God creates the heavens, the earth (Gen 1:1, 21, 27; 2:3–4), and all living creatures including humans (Gen 1:27; 5:1; Deut 3:32). God’s creative action always occurs as an expression of His free, sovereign will. Through the Bible, the roles of Jesus Christ (John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2) and the Holy Spirit (Psa 104:30; Job 33:4) are affirmed in God’s acts of creation.
In the ot, the Hebrew word bara, meaning “to create a new thing,” is usually reserved for God (see Gen 1:1 and note). Likewise, in the nt, the word ktizō, meaning “to bring into existence” or “create,” is used in reference to God alone (Mark 13:19; Rom 1:25; 1 Cor 11:9). Given this, we might assume that creativity lies only within the sphere of divine action. However, this perspective neglects that we, as humans, reflect God’s image and can share in God’s creative action through creative acts of our own.
To understand our place in the drama of creation, we should look at how God created us. God made us in His image to give Him glory through service and love to the world. Because we are made in His image, we can assume that we have a likeness of His creative spirit within us. God initiated this sharing in His creative works by giving Adam the tasks of cultivating the garden (Gen 2:15) and naming the animals (Gen 2:20). The major difference between God’s creative action and ours, however, is that God has the power to create something from nothing.
The Proper Use of Human Creativity
In Exodus 31, God filled Bezalel, son of Uri, with His Spirit so that he would have the understanding, knowledge, and skill needed to craft the various vessels for the tabernacle (Exod 31:3–4). God also called upon the craftsmanship of Oholiab of the tribe of Dan and other skilled men and women to build the tabernacle (Exod 31:6). He invited His people to creatively apply their artistic talents to make objects for service to Him.
Yet immediately following this account, the Israelites misused their creative capabilities by forging an idol—the golden calf (Exod 32). The implications for human creativity are clear in the close positioning of these two stories: When we use our creative abilities without God’s assistance and direction, we run the risk of producing idols.
Human creativity can be exercised in both positive and negative ways. The same word used for Bezalel’s creativity in Exod 31:3 (melakhah, meaning “to think and plan to create something”) is also used for the workers of King Uzziah who created machines of war (2 Chr 26:15). We can use our creativity to make objects that glorify and serve God, or we can use it to enslave God’s people or fashion idols. Creativity should be exercised appropriately under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Creativity and Restoration
Understanding the nt message of restoration is crucial in applying the concept of creativity today. As believers, we are renewed after the image of our Creator (Col 3:10); by His workmanship, Christ renews us so that we can perform the works God has prepared for us (Eph 2:10). These good works include using our creativity to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
If we are to share in God’s creative action, we should do so through good works—bringing restoration to the world. Creativity should not be self-seeking, but world-serving. It should be an act that proclaims God’s original creation, in which believers participate because of our re-created life in Christ.
By Trey Boden ( www.treyboden.com )
From Faith Study Bible