Let There Be Thought: Biblical Metaphysics and the Story of Creation

Let There Be Thought:  Biblical Metaphysics and the Story of Creation

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, time, and space; it deals with the concept of the undefined.  Metaphysics attempts to clarify how we understand our existence in the world.  Branches of metaphysics include:

• Ontology: the study of the categories of being such as physical objects, minds, classes, properties, relations, space, time, proposition, and events
• Cosmology:  the study of origin, universal structure, and nature
• Natural Theology:  the study of God or gods, the nature of religion, and the existence of the divine, and other spiritual issues
• Universal Science:  the study of logic and reasoning

Epistemology, the study of the nature of knowledge as a justified belief, is a foundational principle of metaphysics.  Two common questions associated with epistemology are: 

• What is knowledge?
• And how can it be acquired?

For individuals who practice religions that include a sacred text, spiritual knowledge and revelation can be gained through the text’s revealing word.  Specifically for Christians who believe in the metaphysical interpretation of the Bible, the stories within the Bible are considered to have parable like meanings.  The goals of the stories within the Bible are designed to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons that can help us to live better lives.  Instead of focusing on the Bible as a series of literal events that took place in antiquity, Christian metaphysicians seek to find the hidden spiritual meaning of the stories.

The story of creation is discussed in Genesis 1:1-31; in this story, God uses the power of thought to create.  God spoke this world into existence, and he created man in his image.  If man is therefore created in the image of God, the heart of God dwells in mankind.  As a result, man also has the power to create through the thought process.  The power associated with thoughts and the words we speak are demonstrated in the creationist story

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Genesis 1:1-3

          “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and empty….. And then God said let there be light……”

These verses represent our minds before we opened ourselves to God consciousness.  Once we become aware of the presence of God in us, we therefore come into the light.

Genesis 1:6

Then God said, “Let there be a (firmament) space between the waters, to separate, the waters of heaven from the waters of the earth.”

God affirmed that there would be space between the waters and heavens. We must also affirm that God is in us and works through us.  We cannot control what happens to us or around us, but we can control what happens in us and through us.  There is also power in speaking affirmative thoughts which manifest into actions and results.

Genesis 1:9

“Then God said, let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear. And that is what happened.”

This verse represents the concept of focus, which is provided through concentration and attention.  In order see “dry ground” or clarity, we must allow our mind to flow into one place.  This is done through study, prayer, and meditation as a means of achieving revelation.

The remainder of the creationist story describes the manifesting creative power of thought and man's dominionative power on this earth.  God consistently creates by saying:  “Let there be….”  Thoughts tend to manifest before words are spoken; controlling our thoughts can help us to control the words that we speak.  We must be careful what we speak, because “death and life are in the power of the tongue…Proverbs 18:21.”

Genesis 1:31    

                                              

“Then God looked over he had made, and he saw that it was good…”

When we align our thoughts with the presence of God in us, it will be good.  We do this by understanding the principles of light, affirmation, concentration, and attention. The creationist story is one example of how Christian metaphysicians use biblical interpretation in order to gain insight into the mind of God.  The process combines natural theological principles with the study of ontology, cosmology, and universal science.  From the standpoint of the metaphysician, “the kingdom of God is (NOW) at hand…. (Mark 1:5).”  It exists in the minds of each us, and we must thrive to live a Christ like life.