creation

emanation

• Emanation is the idea that all relatity flows from a single, transcendent source- God 

• Emanation suggests that the universe is an outpouring of divine essense, similar to a stream flowing from a fountain 

• Therefore creation is not simply an act of construction, because that would imply that God made use of matter that was already in existence, and his role would then simply be that of a craftseman 

STRENGTH of emanation: Emanation preserves divine transcendence and immanence

• Maintains both god’s transcendence and immanence 

• Teilhard de Chardin argues that evolution could be understood as a process of divine emanation, with the universe moving toward an ultimate unity with God 

COUNTER to preserves transcendence

• Critics argue that emanation risks bluring the distinction between God and creation, leading to pantheism rather than theism 

• Aquinas rejects emanation because it suggests creation is a necessary extension of God, rather than a deliberate act of divine will 

WEAK of emanation: prob of evil

• If universe naturally flows from God, how does evil arise? 

• If creation emanates from God, then evil must also be part of this process 

• Augustine rejects emanation because it makes evil appear as a necessary part of divine reality, rather than a corruption of good (privatio boni) 

• Boethius argues that God (as pure goodness) cannot emanate evil, 

• HOWEVER 

• Neoplantists suggest that evil arises as a consequence of distance from God- further from divine source, less perfect it becomes. 

constructions

• God as a constructor is seen as an architect, builder, or craftsman 

• God designed world out of pre-existing materials 

• Emphasises order, design and intentionality 

• Augustine (although defended creation ex nihilo) occasionally descrobed God as an architect who ordered the universe according to divine wisdom 

• Argued that God’s creation is both instantaneous and developmental – God constructs the world with purpose and allows it to unfold over time 

• HOWEVER: 

• Doesn't explain why god would need pre-existing material 

• Purely constructlive model limits divine omnipotence 

implications of construction

• Design with purpose (supports NML where morality is embedded in creation- just as a builder designs a house for specific functions, humans have an inherent moral purpose) 

• Critics argue that if god is omnipotent, why would he gradually construct the universe rather than create it perfectly in an instant 

• If god is a builder, humans (as co-creators) participate in divine construction  -> implications for stewardship and environmental ethics 

artistic expression

• God as an artist suggests creation is an act of beauty, creativity + self expression 

• Emphasises divine craftmanship, aligning w biblical/ philosophical perspectives that describe universe as a masterpiece rather than a mechanical product 

augustine on artistic expression

• Describes creation as expression of divine wisdom, comparing to musical composition where every note fits into greater harmony 

• In ‘de genesi ad litteram’ argues god’s creative act is like an artist painting on a blank canvas, shaping reality w intent and order 

• Calvin emphasises divine soverignty over artistic beauty, suggesting god’s primary role is a ruler, not an artist 

aquinas on artistic expression

• God is source of all beauty + worlds order, symmetry and harmony reflect divine perfection 

• Variety of creatures reflects divine creativity 

goodness of creation

• World is fundamentally good because created by supremely perfect god 

• ‘And God saw everything he had made and behold it was very good’- Genesis 1:31 

• Implies stewardship + artistic expression etc 

• HOWEVER 

• Incompatible with existence of suffering 

• If god’s creation is fundamentally good, what does this mean for people who are immoral