January 7, 2007: Why Am I Here?

In a discussion concerning the origin of the universe, one philosopher suggested, "The most fundamental question is, 'Why are we humans here?'" Another chimed in, "No, the most critical question is, 'Why is there a universe at all?'" The question vexes many thinkers. The Bible puts forth a clear cut explanation of not only why, but how, the universe came about.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

•The simplest and most exhaustive explanation can be given in one word: God (vv. 1-2). Christian defenders of the faith have resurrected and refined an argument that seems self-evident. Just as a watch presupposes a watch maker, the complexity of this world almost demands the existence of an all-powerful, all-Intelligent Designer, the ID argument. The supposition that something as complex as the universe could evolve from the initial "singularity," to use a more scientific word for the Big Bang, is as reasonable as assuming a print shop could blow up and produce a dictionary.

Without fanfare or apology, the Bible ascribes every created thing to God. The Bible hints at His complexity of Being by referring to His Spirit moving "upon the face of the waters." John 1:1-3 says the Second Person of the Trinity, the Word was involved in the creative act.

•Also, we are here because God created light (vv. 3-4). We know the necessity of light for animal life. As light passes through leafy plants in a process called photosynthesis, it produces oxygen for animals to breathe. Light and life go together, reminding us that in Jesus "is life; and the life was the light of men." Indeed Jesus asserted His position as the "light of the world" (Jn. 8:12). Without light, existence would be impossible. Spiritually, light also speaks of God in His transcendent holiness. As Spirit He is everywhere in His creation. In that believers are lights (Matt. 5:14), they reflect God's righteous nature and become a continuing testimony to the world that God exists and functions in the created order.

•We exist also because we possess God's image (vv. 26-27). Some interpreters see a difference between God's likeness (v. 26) and His image (v. 27). It seems better to take both as referring to a "God hunger" or "God awareness" in every human being. As Augustine observed, our souls are restless until they finally rest in God. That restlessness also testifies to a moral consciousness called the conscience.

•We further exist because God has given to the human race a stewardship (vv. 28-31). God's command to Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and have dominion over it does not imply the right to exploit and spoil it. Management of the earth, just as Adam and Eve were caretaker of the Garden of Eden, rests upon us.

•Finally, we are here because God made us for worship (2:1- 3). God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but because humans need a time to cease from everyday anxieties and meditate on Him. As Jesus said, the Sabbath (rest) was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). For the Israelites it became a sign of God's covenant (Exod. 31:13, 17). For believers it typifies spiritual rest in Christ (Heb. 4:9-10). The spirit of the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christians who worship on the Lord's day (1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10).