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Creation Out of Nothing A Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration
The Christian church has historically believed that God created the universe out of nothing. But some theologians and non-Christian groups believe that the universe has always existed along with God. Who is correct? Does it matter?In Creation out of Nothing, authors Paul Copan and William Lane Craig examine the biblical, philosophical, and scientific case for creation out of nothing. Furthermore, they make it clear that nothing less than the uniqueness and sovereignty of God are at stake. This book will challenge all thoughtful Christians to understand why it is important to believe in the doctrine of creation out of nothing.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2004
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239 people want to read
About the author
Paul Copan
88 books167 followersPaul Copan is a Christian theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist, and author. He is currently a professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic University and holds the endowed Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics.
From 1980-1984, he attended Columbia International University and earned a B.A. degree in biblical studies. Copan attended Trinity International University, where he received his M.A. in philosophy of religion, as well as his M.Div. at Trinity International. Copan received the Prof. C.B. Bjuge Award for a thesis that “evidences creative scholarship in the field of Biblical and Systematic Theology.”
In May 2000, Copan received his Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His dissertation topic was "The Moral Dimensions of Michael Martin’s Atheology: A Critical Assessment."
From 1980-1984, he attended Columbia International University and earned a B.A. degree in biblical studies. Copan attended Trinity International University, where he received his M.A. in philosophy of religion, as well as his M.Div. at Trinity International. Copan received the Prof. C.B. Bjuge Award for a thesis that “evidences creative scholarship in the field of Biblical and Systematic Theology.”
In May 2000, Copan received his Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His dissertation topic was "The Moral Dimensions of Michael Martin’s Atheology: A Critical Assessment."
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 20, 2019
I like both Paul Copan and (especially) William Lane Craig. This book addresses the creation ex nihilo of the Bible. They defend the traditional (conservative) view of the Creation by God. The book is well-written and covers the traditional doctrine as well as the major arguments against the same. This is somewhat a specialist subject. It is not necessarily needed for every Christian, but it is a good defense for the major themes of Genesis-based creation. Therefore, it is of value to all Christians and anyone interested in the various contemporary issues about the initial creation account. Highly recommended for those interested in the subject.
September 2, 2021
This book shows a series of evidences that go from the old and new testaments of the Bible, historical texts, philosophy, logic to scientific discoveries that support the idea that the universe was created from nothing. It is a fascinating book that will make your mind fly to unsuspected limits.
September 14, 2015
Copan and Craig, true to their other writings, make you think with this one. I'll have to confess it was a bit over my head at some places, especially the chapter on abstract objects. However, it is a very thorough and very well argued examination of the biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), biblically, philosophically, and scientifically. I'm a bit baffled by another reviewer who rated it at two stars because he felt the disciplined reasoning from science and philosophy for creation out of nothing somehow eliminates the need for faith. That's like saying that Jesus' appearance to the disciples after the resurrection eliminated their need for faith in his resurrection. The more that we can demonstrate the reasonableness of Christian faith, the more we can remove unnecessary obstacles to people submitting in faith to God who is revealed in Christ. Copan's and Craig's presentation of the arguments and evidences for creation out of nothing serves to excite the reader with the glorious God who transcends time and space and who is the cause of all that exists outside of himself. Far from diminishing my faith, it excited and expanded it, as I contemplated the greatness of our God who exists beyond our capability to comprehend. Great read, but if you wade in, you'll have to do some serious mental work.
March 11, 2019
Both Copan and Craig are excellent scholars, and this book just further proves that point. Throughout the book, they provide a holistic defense of the classic doctrine of creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing), the claim that the universe began to exist some finite time in the past without involving pre-existing material. The reason I use the word "holistic" is because they address this question biblically, historically, philosophically, and scientifically. And in each section they display a mastery of the material.
The first half of the book involves strictly biblical and historical discussions. Throughout these discussions they successfully demonstrate that the classic creation out of nothing position is implicit in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as assumed by the early church fathers. This is in response to many scholars who argue that the bible teaches that God used pre-existing material to create and that this material was coeternal with God. I didn't expect this much discussion on this topic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The next half of the book covers philosophical and scientific considerations. As far as the philosophy is concerned, the discussions are fairly technical and likely tedious for anyone who hasn't spent time studying the philosophy of abstract objects or the mathematics of infinite set theory. Similarly, anyone who has never read any physics or astronomy would find some of the scientific discussions to be a bit overwhelming, though not as much as the philosophical discussions.
With all that said, this book is not for the beginner. But if you're up to the challenge, there is a wealth of knowledge on display in these pages, making this book well worth the read.
The first half of the book involves strictly biblical and historical discussions. Throughout these discussions they successfully demonstrate that the classic creation out of nothing position is implicit in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as assumed by the early church fathers. This is in response to many scholars who argue that the bible teaches that God used pre-existing material to create and that this material was coeternal with God. I didn't expect this much discussion on this topic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The next half of the book covers philosophical and scientific considerations. As far as the philosophy is concerned, the discussions are fairly technical and likely tedious for anyone who hasn't spent time studying the philosophy of abstract objects or the mathematics of infinite set theory. Similarly, anyone who has never read any physics or astronomy would find some of the scientific discussions to be a bit overwhelming, though not as much as the philosophical discussions.
With all that said, this book is not for the beginner. But if you're up to the challenge, there is a wealth of knowledge on display in these pages, making this book well worth the read.
May 5, 2021
I have read many books on theology, and several on science and I must say that this is the most unenjoyable of the bunch that I have ever read. Perhaps if one so happened to be a Biblical, theological, philosophical, and scientific expert the tedious examples in this book may be profitable, otherwise, this book will be nothing more than an endless drag on your psyche.
When I read a book about a given topic, I am interested in being compelled by the author's perspective, not merely their recapitulation of other author's opinions. It is absolutely fine to quickly summarize the opinions of others, but to tirelessly give examples is just boring. I must be honest, I am not a fan of this modern style of 'Scholarly' Literature, because it reveals a love for proof-texting, and intellectual narrowness rather than a true grasp of the issue in question.
Let the Christian reader compare the Scriptures to this text, and notice the contrast: the Bible compels a full comprehension, since the entirety of the text is linked with different parts, and thus the Bible does not permit of proof-texting. This book, on the other hand, reads like an Encylopedia or a dictionary, where one may consult a given section and extract data points, yet never attain true knowledge which only ever comes from a consummate understanding of the thing read. This book is for those who wish to acquire some 'data' about creation ex nihilo, but for those who wish to know it offers little.
When I read a book about a given topic, I am interested in being compelled by the author's perspective, not merely their recapitulation of other author's opinions. It is absolutely fine to quickly summarize the opinions of others, but to tirelessly give examples is just boring. I must be honest, I am not a fan of this modern style of 'Scholarly' Literature, because it reveals a love for proof-texting, and intellectual narrowness rather than a true grasp of the issue in question.
Let the Christian reader compare the Scriptures to this text, and notice the contrast: the Bible compels a full comprehension, since the entirety of the text is linked with different parts, and thus the Bible does not permit of proof-texting. This book, on the other hand, reads like an Encylopedia or a dictionary, where one may consult a given section and extract data points, yet never attain true knowledge which only ever comes from a consummate understanding of the thing read. This book is for those who wish to acquire some 'data' about creation ex nihilo, but for those who wish to know it offers little.
November 21, 2017
This is a great book, make no mistake, but treat as a course of study that you are entering into. This is something to set your mind, energy and note-taking skills to, not a read to be taken lightly. Again, in my opinion, decide to do a 13 week or so course, and make this book that course, and you will have understood what this book takes to read and absorb properly.
January 8, 2017
Creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) is an important doctrine that has come under fire in recent decades from theologians such as Gerhard May and scientist-theologians such as Ian Barbour. May contends that creation ex nihilo is biblically ambiguous and that it was a second-century response to Gnostic ideas; Barbour rejects it in favour of an absolute dependence of the universe on God.
It is in response to these ideas that Copan and Craig have teamed up to write this inter-disciplinary book. They show that creation out of nothing is biblical, and scientifically and philosophically grounded. They don’t explore the rich theological implications of creatio ex nihilo but do show that there is a very strong cumulative case for the doctrine and contra May it is a thoroughly biblical one.
The first three chapters explore the Old Testament, the New Testament and much of the extra-biblical evidence. At times these chapters read like a rich mosaic of commentators, but the conclusion in each one is that creation out of nothing is not a second-century invention; it is implicit in both testaments as well as explicit in the Jewish and early Christian writings.
The second half of the book (chapters 4-8) deals with scientific and philosophical arguments. Chapter 5 exposes the error that many – such as Barbour – make in conflating conservation and creation: ‘Creation is distinct from conservation in that creation does not presuppose a patient entity but involves God’s bringing something into being’ (165).
Chapter 5 explores the problem of the creation of abstract objects such as mathematics concepts. They examine three possible solutions: absolute creationism (which seems to be anything but absolute!), fictionalism and conceptualism. They conclude that much creative work is being done and still remains to be done on this issue; hence, they are not prepared to pronounce judgment over which solution is the most plausible. (I’m tempted to say none of the three they mention!)
The impossibility of an infinite past is explored in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 examines two broad lines of scientific evidence that the universe is not eternal and that it had an origin a finite time ago. The first of these evidences is the expansion of the universe and the standard big bang model of creation; the second, thermodynamics.
The final chapter examines naturalistic alternatives to creation ex nihilo; namely, that the universe created itself and that the universe sprung into existence uncaused out of nothing. Here they ably show the fallacious nature of these arguments.
One need not agree with all their arguments, but Copan and Craig have provided an excellent, inter-disciplinary and timely cumulative case for creatio ex nihilo.
It is in response to these ideas that Copan and Craig have teamed up to write this inter-disciplinary book. They show that creation out of nothing is biblical, and scientifically and philosophically grounded. They don’t explore the rich theological implications of creatio ex nihilo but do show that there is a very strong cumulative case for the doctrine and contra May it is a thoroughly biblical one.
The first three chapters explore the Old Testament, the New Testament and much of the extra-biblical evidence. At times these chapters read like a rich mosaic of commentators, but the conclusion in each one is that creation out of nothing is not a second-century invention; it is implicit in both testaments as well as explicit in the Jewish and early Christian writings.
The second half of the book (chapters 4-8) deals with scientific and philosophical arguments. Chapter 5 exposes the error that many – such as Barbour – make in conflating conservation and creation: ‘Creation is distinct from conservation in that creation does not presuppose a patient entity but involves God’s bringing something into being’ (165).
Chapter 5 explores the problem of the creation of abstract objects such as mathematics concepts. They examine three possible solutions: absolute creationism (which seems to be anything but absolute!), fictionalism and conceptualism. They conclude that much creative work is being done and still remains to be done on this issue; hence, they are not prepared to pronounce judgment over which solution is the most plausible. (I’m tempted to say none of the three they mention!)
The impossibility of an infinite past is explored in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 examines two broad lines of scientific evidence that the universe is not eternal and that it had an origin a finite time ago. The first of these evidences is the expansion of the universe and the standard big bang model of creation; the second, thermodynamics.
The final chapter examines naturalistic alternatives to creation ex nihilo; namely, that the universe created itself and that the universe sprung into existence uncaused out of nothing. Here they ably show the fallacious nature of these arguments.
One need not agree with all their arguments, but Copan and Craig have provided an excellent, inter-disciplinary and timely cumulative case for creatio ex nihilo.
October 1, 2013
Not bedtime reading. You have to think your way through this book.
In fact, that sums up this book entirely, it is a thinking one's way to God. The danger of this is that faith ends up being taken out of the equation. One then focusses so much on the so-called facts of science, that are later disproven or doubted by the scientific community anyway, that one's faith then becomes tossed about by every wave of doctrine.
Whatever happened to God said it in the Bible, and so it is? Why should I even attempt to reason my way to God whose ways are not my ways and whose thoughts are not my thoughts.
Read this interesting critique of William Lane Craig's approach.
In fact, that sums up this book entirely, it is a thinking one's way to God. The danger of this is that faith ends up being taken out of the equation. One then focusses so much on the so-called facts of science, that are later disproven or doubted by the scientific community anyway, that one's faith then becomes tossed about by every wave of doctrine.
Whatever happened to God said it in the Bible, and so it is? Why should I even attempt to reason my way to God whose ways are not my ways and whose thoughts are not my thoughts.
Read this interesting critique of William Lane Craig's approach.
June 28, 2014
Anything by Craig is usually worth the read and this book does not disappoint. The first few chapters are an excellent discussion of the witness of the biblical text to creatio ex nihio. The middle chapters are the most technical and require some intense reading. Especially the discussion on the impossibility of an actual infinite. The last few chapters are apologetic in nature and deal with the current discussions in science regarding an actual beginning. The book is well worth the time and effort.
January 15, 2011
A scholarly book not for anyone who doesn't enjoy the kind of science-philosophy grind of academics. Good information, but probably not very useful to any not interested in the very specifics of this debate (which I didn't even know existed until I picked up this book).
June 21, 2011
Good book, though some of the later chapters were quite technical and over my head. My guess is that they were written by Craig. He seems to be not the clearest writer at times.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews