What does it mean that God is the Creator?

TL;DR:

People can only create new things from preexisting materials made by God, but God is unique in that He created the universe out of nothing. Only God exists independently of everything else; therefore, God, who has always existed, is the one and only true Creator.

what does the bible say?

The Bible begins with the compelling story of God creating the heavens and the earth. He created and ordered everything in the universe out of nothing. God’s crown jewel of creation, human beings, male and female, were made in His own image and likeness with an eternal spirit, intellect, a conscience and free will. Human beings are unique within creation, having the ability to personally relate with God. However, Adam and Eve willfully chose to sin against Him. This brought physical and spiritual death to themselves and subsequently all of humanity. God sent Jesus to save the world of sin and death and to restore and reconcile the relationship between God and humanity. God judged the world He created with a worldwide flood of water and will judge this world again with fire at the end of the age. The Bible ends with God making all things new and creating a new heavens and earth as the eternal home of those who have received salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

from the old testament

Genesis records God’s creation of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1, Genesis 2).
God, who has always existed, created the universe by speaking everything into existence: light, planets, stars, mountains, seas, plants, and animals (Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 90:2, Psalm 121:2).
God created human beings, male and female, in His own image (Genesis 1:27).
Human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-14).
What we observe in nature demonstrates God’s glory and His work (Psalm 19:1).
God is the Potter who forms and shapes His people as He pleases (Isaiah 29:15-16, Jeremiah 18:1-11)

from the new testament

Jesus Christ, who has always existed, God incarnate, created the heavens and earth (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:2-3).
God created the world and everything in it (Acts 17:24, James 1:18).
Creation itself testifies to the reality of God, leaving people without excuse in their rejection of Him (Romans 1:19-20).
Humanity must worship God alone and not anything in His creation (Romans 1:21-23).
Human beings are made by God with intentionality, purpose and meaning (Ephesians 2:10).
God is the Creator and the Potter, and people are His creation, the clay (Romans 9:19-23)
Jesus is preparing a place for each of us in heaven (John 14:1-3).
This present heavens and earth will pass away someday with God’s fiery judgment (2 Peter 3:10-12).
God will create a new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21—22).

implications for today

Acknowledging God as our Creator should fill us with a sense of awe and reverent fear, keeping us humble and rightfully aligned in our relationship with Him. God designed each of us to relate to and reflect Him. Yet, because of our sin, if left to ourselves, we are headed down a path of eternal death and destruction. The good news is that Jesus, Creator of all, came to earth to save humanity. He rescues His own creation from death and sin by His own death and resurrection. He offers eternal life, forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit, and the right to become children of God to all who believe in Him. Knowing that Christian believers are God’s workmanship with a specific purpose and good work to complete during our time on earth gives our lives meaning, direction and fulfillment. With the knowledge that the present heavens and earth are passing away, Jesus instructs us to store up treasures in heaven rather than earth, living to glorify Him in the present while looking forward to a heavenly eternity with Him.

understand

God uniquely created the universe and everything in it out of nothing and made humanity in His image.
Jesus, the Creator, restores our relationship with God through His death and resurrection.
Recognizing God as Creator gives life purpose and hope for eternity.

reflect

How does recognizing God as Creator and seeing how He came and died for our salvation impact your response to Him?
How does knowing that God created you with intentionality and purpose shape your view of your life and identity?
How does recognizing God as the Creator impact the way you worship and trust Him?

engage

How can we help others see God’s existence and power through creation?
How does understanding God as the Creator challenge or deepen our view of human value and purpose?
How can we help others live intentionally in light of the purposes for which God created us?