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The concept of Material creation in Christianity

Material creation is understood differently across various theological perspectives. Christianity highlights that it is God's original act of creating a physical world, which is subject to change and aims for spiritual renewal. Gnosticism views material creation as the source of evil, while Protestantism emphasizes its distinction from spiritual creation. The Catholic Church sees it as a purposeful act by God, contrasting the individual experience of sin. Early Christianity perceives it as flawed due to the demiurge's limited understanding.

Synonyms: Material production, Material development, Fabrication, Generation, Construction, Synthesis, Assembly, Formulation, Synthesis.

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Material creation'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The material creation is subject to change and destined for a deliverance, where the re-constitution of the material world passes from corruption.[1]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The Creator entered the sabbath rest when He ceased from material creation, to carry on the new and spiritual creation in man, showing the ongoing nature of God's work.[2]

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) The original act of God creating the physical world, distinct from the new or evangelical creation.[3]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The physical world created by the Demiurge, viewed as flawed due to the influence of a lesser understanding.[4]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: The city of God

(1) The material creation is what God did design to benefit and lend lustre to, as opposed to creating a single sun for a single soul that sinned.[5]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Gnostic concept of 'Material creation'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: The Gnostics and Their Remains

(1) Those semi-Buddhist philosophers found the root of all evil in Matter, and consequently in the material creation, employed these old hallowed names to denote the agents of the Creator.[6]