Explain The Doctrine Of Creation

How do you correlate your doctrine of creation and your doctrine of the person and work of Christ? How does this correlation inform and shape the character of relationships and leadership?

In communicating the correlation of individual doctrine, work of Jesus Christ, character of relationships and leadership several factors are required: summarizing the individual understanding of the doctrines of creation and person; describing an overview of personal perspective on the work of Christ; correlating the concepts of the doctrines and the work of Christ; and explaining the implications for the nature of relationship and leadership.

A synopsis of the individual view of the doctrine of creation begins with the individual understanding God
created humankind in God’s own likeness with a purpose. Created as Imago Dei, the image of God, humankind received from God a blessing and approval to perform specific responsibilities. The human likeness refers not to a physical duplication of God, who is Spirit. Rather, the likeness is an expression of the human ability to participate in creation by, like God, having the ability to create coupled with the responsibility to care for other aspects of creation formed by God. God’s initial plan for humankind was to partner in the responsibility with God in the work of tending to creation and being in relationship one with another.

A summary of the individual understanding of the doctrine of person begins with acknowledging the existence of a dual relationship basis for which humans were created.
The relationship may be described in terms of relationship with God and other humans. The personal relationship with God provides individuals with the freedom to choose to be in a mutual love-based relationship with God. Within in the realm of choice, as humans, we recognize God as the creator from whose likeness we were formed and acknowledge God as the Supreme Being upon whom we are dependent and to whom believers assent to exercising authority over our lives in the mutual God-based relationship. Beyond the personal God and individual human bond, the relationship extends to other human beings for which God created humankind to be in community one with another. God created humans to be in partnership with God and one with
another.

In describing the personal perspective on the work of Christ, the individual belief is Christ entered the world with a specific purpose. In the initial establishing of human creation, the relationship of humans with God and humans one with another was altered and breached by the human choice to assent the authority to another whose purposes where in conflict with the original purpose of the creator, thus yielding direction of their lives to one without God’s authorization. The work of Christ, initiated by the God who created humankind, involved the restoration of the relationship between humans and God. God’s initial plan for humankind to partner in the responsibility of tending to the work of creation and being in relationship one with another still existed.

In correlating these doctrines and the work of Christ, we understand as Christians, God created each person to achieve an ultimate destiny.
Christ entered the world as human and fulfilled his specific purpose. In realizing this purpose, Christ performed the work which included equipping and preparing others, to continue the purpose. We, also, have an ultimate purpose we are intended to obtain. We are created with God-given personal potential designed to bring to actualization the ultimate purposes of God. The nature of the relationship with other humans places each individual within community one with another. Within this context of community, which may be defined differently for each individual, we are challenged with the opportunity to develop and utilize these unique skills, gifts, and abilities. Each person progressively evolves in increasingly improved levels of excellence in employing the gifts over ones lifetime for the good of the individual, the body of Christ, and God’s overall plan for the
world.

This correlation provides a basis for understanding some elements of the character of relationships. First, the nature of relationship involves both the providence of God and the willingness of individuals to be participants. God allows individuals the freedom of choice in seeking our relationship with God and with others; however, when the greater purpose is to be actualized, God acts to fulfill God’s purpose as is exemplified by God sending Christ into the world. Secondly, each individual has a distinct reason and purpose for being in the particular relationship. Each person has skills and gifts to inform the relationship or may be in the relationship to receive the benefit of being informed or receiving care. Thirdly, the nature of relationships evolves over time. The relationship may have positive components which allow individuals to exist in harmony. In other moments, the relationship may experience challenges which may involve a momentary discomfort, temporary disruption, and sometimes, permanent disconnection. However, if it is the desire of God, there is potential for restoration if the restoration serves the greater purposes and plan God has for the individuals in the relationship.

In understanding the combination of doctrine, work of Christ and character of relationships, there are implications for leadership. First, individuals are divinely gifted and God-selected to serve the purpose of God as leaders. Leadership is one the spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit desires. Secondly, Christian leaders have first the responsibility to fulfill God’s purposes which involve having their own personal relationship with God which provides them access to revelation and vision for those whom they serve as leaders. Thirdly, each team, group, or assembly of individuals in relationship to achieve a purpose whether formally organized or informally gathered by impromptu means has individuals who perform different tasks, duties, and contribute a variety of spiritual gifts. Each person participates from different levels of skills and personal circumstances. A leader’s responsibility includes recognizing this diversity, encouraging and making possible the development of the unique spiritual gifts and ensuring the individual talents are utilized in a manner which benefits the entire team, and community the team serves. A leader also considers the current circumstances and foresees the greater potential in determining how to best incorporate all contributions of each individual for the benefit of the entire team. Next, leaders must be willing to evolve. The composition and structure of team may change, the needs of the community served may differ, the vision and purpose may be modified over time. The motivation of the team may experience ebbs and flows which require reiteration of the vision and inspiration from the leadership. To meet continually the purpose of God for a lifetime involves the ability the leader to flow and act with the Spirit of God. Lastly, leaders should prepare others to lead and continue God’s divine purpose. As Christ fulfilled his purpose and equipped others to expand the vision, leaders should be willing to equip others to continue the work of ministry.