In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 9: “What is the work of creation?” The episode delves into the profound theological significance of framing creation as a singular “work” rather than multiple “works.” This distinction invites us to see God’s creative activity not as disconnected events but as one unified, purposeful project—the first great act in which God executes His eternal decrees. The episode challenges modern materialist and deist perspectives, encouraging listeners to view creation as an intentionally designed stage for God’s glory to be displayed and His purposes to unfold.



Key Takeaways




Creation is framed as a singular “work” rather than multiple “works,” emphasizing its coherence and unified purpose



There is a theological distinction between an “act” (occurring in a single moment) and a “work” (a project unfolding across time)



Creation is the first step in God’s execution of His eternal decrees, making it inherently purposeful



The work of creation reveals God’s character: His omnipotence in its scale, His wisdom in its design, and His goodness in its beauty and provision



Creation stands as God’s first great act of self-revelation in time



The doctrine of creation directly challenges both materialist views (which see the universe as accidental) and deist perspectives (which minimize God’s ongoing involvement)



The proper response to understanding creation is worship, not merely acknowledging that God made things




Key Concepts



Creation as a Unified, Purposeful Work



The catechism’s use of the singular “work” of creation rather than “works” is theologically significant. This framing invites us to see creation not as a series of disconnected divine actions, but as one comprehensive, coherent project with a unified purpose. God’s creative activity across the six days described in Genesis should be understood as an integrated whole—a single grand accomplishment that perfectly aligns with His eternal decree. This perspective helps us recognize that everything in creation, from galaxies to microorganisms, exists as part of a divinely orchestrated whole, where each element has its proper place and purpose in God’s overarching design for His glory.



Creation as Divine Self-Revelation



The work of creation serves as God’s first great act of self-revelation in time. Through what He has made, God discloses aspects of His divine nature and character that would otherwise remain hidden. The immensity and power of creation reflect His omnipotence; the intricate design and order reveal His infinite wisdom; and the beauty and provision demonstrate His goodness. As Psalm 19 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This means that creation itself functions as a form of divine communication, a theological “text” that speaks of its Creator. While creation does not reveal the specific truths of redemption (which require special revelation), it provides a universal testimony to God’s eternal power and divine nature.



Memorable Quotes



“Let this question move you from merely acknowledging that God made things… to worshiping Him for the glorious work He has accomplished.”



“We look at its sheer scale and power, and we see His omnipotence. We look at its intricate design, from the spiral of a galaxy to the structure of a single cell, and we see His infinite wisdom. We look at its beauty and provision, and we see His goodness.”



“The work of creation is God’s first great act of self-revelation in time. The heavens, as the psalmist says, are telling the glory of God.”



Full Transcript



[00:00:21] Understanding God’s Eternal Decrees



Last week, we received the beautifully simple, yet profound, answer to how God executes His eternal decrees. We learned that He brings His plan to pass in two great and comprehensive arenas: the works of creation and providence.



Having been given these two grand categories, the catechism now zooms in on the first of them. We are taken back to the very beginning, to the first act in the great drama of God’s work in time. 



[00:00:47] Exploring the Work of Creation



The catechism asks what seems, on the surface, to be a very straightforward question: What is the work of creation?



Now, for many of us, an immediate and simple answer comes to mind. The work of creation is what we read about in Genesis 1: God making the heavens and the earth, the sea, the sky, the plants, the animals, and finally, man. And that is true. But the catechism, with its careful and precise wording, is pushing us to think more deeply than that.



Notice the singular. It doesn’t ask, “What are the works of creation?” as if it were a list of disconnected projects. It asks, “What is the work of creation?” To understand the significance of this, we need to appreciate a distinction our theological forefathers would have understood well: the difference between a “work” and an “act.” In theological language, an act occurs in a single, indivisible moment. A work, however, is a project that unfolds across time.



By calling creation a “work,” the catechism is intentionally framing it not as a single, instantaneous flash, but as an ordered, purposeful project that God accomplished over the six days described in Genesis. 



[00:01:58] The Purpose and Design of Creation



This singular “work” invites us to see creation not as a series of separate events, but as one, single, unified, and purposeful accomplishment. It presses us to ask not just what God made, but what God was doing.



This question forces us to see creation through the lens of the doctrine we have just studied. If creation is the first great act in which God executes His decrees, then it cannot be a random or arbitrary act. It must be purposeful. It must be the first step in accomplishing that one, wise, eternal purpose that He ordained for His own glory. This means that creation is not just about the act of making; it is about the purpose for which things were made.



So, what does this question compel us to consider? It forces us to look at the universe and see not just a collection of matter and energy, but a coherent project. A work of art. A magnificent stage, intentionally designed and built by a master architect for the glorious drama that was to unfold upon it. It asks us to look at the world and see it not as a cosmic accident, but as a theater for the glory of God.



[00:03:07] Reflecting on the Character of God



This question also forces us to consider the character of the Worker. What does the nature of this work tell us about the God who performed it? We look at its sheer scale and power, and we see His omnipotence. We look at its intricate design, from the spiral of a galaxy to the structure of a single cell, and we see His infinite wisdom. We look at its beauty and provision, and we see His goodness. The work of creation is God’s first great act of self-revelation in time. The heavens, as the psalmist says, are telling the glory of God.



This question, then, is a direct challenge to the default mindsets of our age. To the materialist, who sees the universe as a meaningless accident, this question insists on purpose and design. To the deist, who sees God as a distant clockmaker who wound up the world and let it go, this question insists on the personal, intimate, and ongoing involvement of a God who works.



[00:04:04] Re-enchanting Your View of the World



So for this week, let this question re-enchant your view of the world. As you look at the sky, as you walk through a forest, as you consider the complexity of your own body, don’t just see a product. See a project. See a coherent act designed to execute an eternal purpose. Let this question move you from merely acknowledging that God made things… to worshiping Him for the glorious work He has accomplished. What is the work of creation?

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