Thank God for Sunday

 Early creeds began by an affirmation of creation. e.g. "I believe in God the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth...'' Contrary to the claims of atheists (old and new) a concern for the crucial importance of creation is nothing new or distinctively American. The doctrine of creation is the foundation for all truly biblical theology.

 Quotes and comments;
1. 'Because God is the creator he is also the redeemer. Schaff's observations here are especially pertinent:

     ''As to creation, Irenaeus and Tertullian, most firmly rejected the hylozoic and demiurgic of paganism and gnosticism, and taught, according to the book of Genesis, that God made the world, including matter, not, of course, out of any material, but out of nothing, or, to express it positively, out of his free, almight will, by his word. This free will of God, a will of love, is the supremely unconditioned, and all conditioning cause and final reason of all existence, precluding every idea of physical force or emanation. Every creature, since it proceeds from the holy will of God, is in itself, as to its essence, is good. Evil, therefore, is not an original and substantial entity, but a corruption of nature, and hence can be destroyed by the power of  redemption. Without a correct doctrine of creation there can be no true doctrine of redemption, as all the Gnostic systems show."  [1.]

- It's because God created man (and was the only one who could have) that it's only God who can redeem man (rescue him, save him) from his fallen and sinful nature. There is no human remedy for man's condition, and thus his only hope is divine salvation.
Note;
1. Foundations of Social Order - R.J. Rushdoony p.7-8 [Phillip Schaff/Church History/2/540]
2. ''Every creature, since it proceeds from the holy will of God, is in itself, as to its essence, is good.''
- I take it Schaff is here speaking of the original creation; i.e. before the Fall.