ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on one embarrassing controversy among Christians regarding the general nature of creation. One need not fear to plead ignorance regarding some of the steps in creation. Primary creation means the formation of substances out of nothing. Secondary creation is the ordering and combining of substances in such a way that a new entity is formed which is more than the product of pre-existing factors. Growth and reproduction of living things should be classified as providence rather than creation. Since God is the Author of nature, we should see in it the same kind of creation which is described in God's Word. If creation took place gradually by development, we might expect that a gene would develop gradually, making its character more pronounced with each generation. The continuous maintaining and ordering of the universe is called providence, and excites one’s admiration in a manner similar to the contemplation of the original bringing.
