By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so
that what was seen was made from things that are not visible.
Hebrews 11:3
The Bible definitely says that God created the world, but does it say He did it ex-nihilo–out of nothing?
Belief in creation ex-nihilo is the historic Christian understanding of Genesis 1:1-2, and there is no textual reason to believe it says anything else.
Similarly, many verses support that God created everything, including matter, time, and space. Plus, He spoke what He created into existence.
Yet, there are Christians who argue against it, saying the Bible doesn’t really support the doctrine of God creating the world ex-nihilo.
On the other hand, since God is outside of time and space, He isn’t bound by either.
So, let’s look at what the Bible says.
Table of Contents
Does the Bible Support God Creating the World Ex-Nihilo?
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically say that God created the world out of nothing, neither does it say He didn’t. There is no hint of anything already existing. In fact, when you look at what Scripture says about God’s creation, it’s easy to conclude there wasn’t anything but Him before creation. First, He created time, space, and matter, then brought order to the chaos of the formless and empty earth with only darkness covering the deep waters.
What the Bible Says
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 33:6 The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth.
Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created.
John 1:3 All things were created through him, and apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created.
Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things…
1 Corinthians 8:6 Yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.
Ephesians 3:9 …in God who created all things.
Colossians 1:16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through him and for him.
Hebrews 2:10 …that God–for whom and through whom all things exist…
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
2 Peter 3:5 They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.
Revelation 4:11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
Does It Matter?
Yes and no. Reason tells us that something or someone had to exist when the world was created. Furthermore, that something or someone had to be greater than what was being created and not bound by time, space, or matter.
Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Someone is God. He is greater than what He created and is not bound by time, space, or matter.
He is all-powerful and would have no problem speaking the world into existence and creating it out of nothing.
To learn what the Early church fathers believed, see What the Early Church believed: Creation Out of Nothing.
RELATED > > > > > How Did the World Begin? – Genesis 1:1-2:3
Where I Stand
You may have guessed by now that I believe God created the world from nothing. By that I mean, He spoke, and it came into existence.
On Day 6, God used the dust of the earth to create Adam. He may have somehow used the earth to make the animals since Genesis 1:24 says, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures…”
Genesis 1:1-2 says that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. It was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. This would have been the beginning of space, time, and matter (water).
These things (space, time, and matter) may have been a part of Day 1, along with the angels, or immediately before. However, I lean toward it being on the first day.
I see Day 1 of God’s creation like this:
- First, God created space, time, and matter – the heavens and the earth.
- Second, God made the angels in the heavens and brought order to that realm because v. 2 only talks about the earth being formless and empty.
- Third, God created light, called it good, and separated it from the darkness. He called the light day and the dark He called night, and it was the first day.
RELATED > > > > > What is the Kingdom of God Prehistory? – Creation of Angels
Final Thoughts
It’s interesting digging into such things as whether God created the world ex-nihilo, but we should never get too hung up on it.
The more important thing to agree on is that God created the world. For this, you will find much support throughout Scripture.
Hi Lynn,
I just read your article exploring whether the Bible supports the concept of God creating the world ex nihilo, and I found it quite thought-provoking. I appreciate how you’ve balanced scriptural interpretations with logical reasoning, particularly in the discussion about whether something had to exist prior to creation.
However, I’m curious about the broader theological implications of this. How does the concept of creation ex nihilo shape our understanding of God’s nature and power?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this complex theological subject.
Best Regards,
Makhsud
Hi Makhsud,
Thank you for your comment. It is very thought-provoking. Before I try and answer your question, I want to be clea about one thing–I don’t think anything existed before creation but God. He is Elohim and the sole creator of everything.
I’m not sure if I will answer your question satisfactorily but I will do my best. If God created the world out of nothing, it shows His absolute power and self-existence. He is eternal and has the right to rule His kingdom which is timeless like He is and everywhere since He is everywhere. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. And even if all the Bible is teaching is that God created the world by speaking it into existence, the same is true about Him. In that sense, whether God created the world ex-nihilo is of no consequence. He is the same God either way.
Lynn