Confessions - Book Xii - Chapter XX
St. Augustine explores the multifaceted interpretations of Genesis 1:1, emphasizing the profound mystery of God's creation through His eternal Word.
In this expository sermon, St. Augustine delves into the opening verse of Genesis, unpacking its multiple layers of meaning regarding God's creation of heaven and earth. He highlights the role of the divine Word as the eternal agent of creation and acknowledges the diverse interpretations held by faithful believers. Augustine encourages a reverent and thoughtful engagement with Scripture, affirming the inspired testimony of Moses and the profound mystery of God's creative work.
Text
29. From all these truths, which are not doubted by those to whom thou hast granted insight in such things in their inner eye and who believe unshakably that thy servant Moses spoke in the spirit of truth--from all these truths, then, one man takes the sense of \"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth\" to mean, \"In his Word, coeternal with himself, God made both the intelligible and the tangible, the spiritual and the corporeal creation.\" Another takes it in a different sense, that \"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth\" means, \"In his Word, coeternal with himself, God made the universal mass of this corporeal world, with all the observable and known entities that it contains.\" Still another finds a different meaning, that \"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth\" means, \"In his Word, coeternal with himself, God made the unformed matter of the spiritual and corporeal creation.\" Another can take the sense that \"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth\" means, \"In his Word, coeternal with himself, God made the unformed matter of the physical creation, in which heaven and earth were as yet indistinguished; but now that they have come to be separated and formed, we can now perceive them both in the mighty mass of this world.\"[489] Another takes still a further meaning, that \"In the beginning God created heaven and earth\" means, \"In the very beginning of creating and working, God made that unformed matter which contained, undifferentiated, heaven and earth, from which both of them were formed, and both now stand out and are observable with all the things that are in them.\"
Sermon Outline
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I. Introduction to Creation
- God's act of creating heaven and earth
- The significance of the opening verse of Genesis
- Different interpretations of 'In the beginning'
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II. The Role of the Divine Word
- The Word coeternal with God
- Creation of both spiritual and corporeal realms
- The Word as the agent of creation
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III. Varied Understandings of Creation
- Creation of intelligible and tangible worlds
- Creation of universal mass and unformed matter
- Formation and separation of heaven and earth
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IV. Theological Implications
- Mystery of God's creative work
- Faith in Moses' inspired testimony
- Encouragement to seek deeper understanding
Key Quotes
“From all these truths, which are not doubted by those to whom thou hast granted insight in such things in their inner eye and who believe unshakably that thy servant Moses spoke in the spirit of truth...” — St. Augustine
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" means, "In his Word, coeternal with himself, God made both the intelligible and the tangible, the spiritual and the corporeal creation.” — St. Augustine
“Another takes still a further meaning, that "In the beginning God created heaven and earth" means, "In the very beginning of creating and working, God made that unformed matter which contained, undifferentiated, heaven and earth...” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Reflect on the multifaceted nature of God's creation and remain open to deepening your understanding of Scripture.
- Recognize the divine Word as central to all creation and cultivate faith in God's eternal plan.
- Approach biblical texts with reverence and seek insight through prayer and study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'In the beginning' mean in this sermon?
It refers to the initial act of creation by God through His eternal Word, encompassing both spiritual and physical realms.
Why are there multiple interpretations of Genesis 1:1?
Because the verse holds profound theological depth, allowing for various understandings of how God created heaven and earth.
Who is the 'Word' mentioned in the sermon?
The 'Word' is understood as coeternal with God, the divine agent through whom all creation came into being.
What is the significance of Moses in this context?
Moses is recognized as a faithful servant who spoke under divine inspiration about creation.
How should believers approach these different interpretations?
Believers are encouraged to hold faith in God's truth while thoughtfully considering the richness of Scripture's meanings.