Ontology
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Ontology is defined as a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being, based on visible morphological characters. Biblical ontology is concerned with the nature of God, Jesus, Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, the universe, humanity before or after the fall, and the Bible itself.
It is impossible to do science, or anything for that matter, without presupposing some ontology. For example, theists and atheists hold to very different inherent ontologies. Whereas the former see the cosmos as an ordered construct of a divine being, the latter views the universe as pure chaos. Likewise, the evolutionist perceives humanity as nothing more than an animal, while the creationist regards humankind as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). These ontological views provide an underlying assumption that governs all theories.
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Ontology of God
Views on the ontology of God:
- Deism: God as separate from the physical universe, and not interacting with it;
- Theistic dualism: God as separate from our physical universe, and interacting with it;
- Immanentism: God as inseparable from the universe itself;
- Corporealism: Jehovah as a corporeal being, head of the counsel of Elohim;
God is One God
The monotheistic religions hold to one sacred doctrine, God is one and there is only one God. During Biblical times, this view was in stark contrast to the polytheistic religions (many Gods) practiced by the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.
OT references
The covenant established between God and Israel is reliant upon the recognition by His people that God is the one and only God, and strong warnings were given in the Old Testament against making and worshipping idols - a practice which was common at the time even among the Israelites.
Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:4
The importance of this law is illustrated by its being the first command of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. It should be noted that the "other gods" warned against here are not gods at all, but substitutes for God (idols), or simply mythological.
You shall have no other gods before me Exodus 20:3
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Isaiah 44:4
NT references
The New Testament also echoes this central theme.
1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 1Corinthians 8:1-4
Manifistations of One God
- Main Article: Trinity
The Trinity of God is central to Christianity. It is a word from the Latin trinitas, meaning threeness. Neither that word nor any equivalent occurs in the Bible, but the doctrine is logically derived from many statements spread throughout the scripture.
The very first word used for God, at the beginning of Genesis, is אֱלֹהִ֑ים (Elohim), which is a plural word, literally "gods". The plurality and unity of God are both evident at the very beginning.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26
Ontology of Humanity
Views on human ontology and the mind:
- Materialism: Humans are material and only material organisms. What we experience as the "mind" is only a consequence of the chemical interactions in our bodies;
- Dualism: Humans are more than the sum of their physical parts. In addition to our physical properties, we bear a soul, distinct from our bodies;
The Image of God
As Adam is described in Genesis as being made in the image of God, an important subject in Biblical ontology is regarding the aspect of God that humans now possess. There are 2 basic definitions of the image of God.
- Spiritual image: Adam was created to reflect the spiritual nature of Elohim;
- Physical image: Adam was created to reflect the physical appearance of Elohim;
Spiritual image
Adam was created to reflect the spiritual nature of Elohim. This belief, by far the most widespread among theists, holds that Adam was created in God's spiritual image, to reflect his reason and personality and ability to communicate. However, it is not believed that Adam was created in God's physical image, because it is believed that God has no physical existence or appearance.
Physical image
Adam was created to reflect the physical appearance of Elohim. This view, much less common than the spiritual view, provides that Adam was created in the physical image of Elohim. It is based on corporealism, or the belief that God has a physical body. Arguments for this view include:* The same words used for image (tselem), and likeness (d@muwth), are used to describe the sons of the patriarchs.
When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. Genesis 5:3
- Elohim is plural, derived from the many references to such with phrases of; "Let us make Man in our image," implying that the Elohim is plural, to include Jehovah Elohim and the Sons of God, as well as the Holy Spirit decided to create man in their image.
- Jehovah Elohim (the "Lord of the gods") is described as physically walking through the garden.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty ; Walk before Me, and be blameless;" Genesis 17:1
Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. Genesis 18:1
Related Reference
- Six different ontological views of God
- God and Science by Earle Fox
- The Church of the Holy Trinity By Robert Doyle. Originally published in Briefing #121.
- Ontology and Biblical Theology A response to Carl Trueman’s “A Revolutionary Balancing Act” by Graeme Goldsworthy
- The Oneness of God online book by By David K. Bernard, J.D.
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